N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:18-51 et seq. § 2A:18-77
Tenant's reimbursement for storage costs
Operative Text
6. Upon removal of his property, a tenant shall reimburse the landlord for the reasonable cost of storage for the period the property was in the landlord's safekeeping, including the reasonable cost of removal of the property to a place of storage. A landlord shall not be entitled to reimbursement for storage and removal costs which are greater than the fair market value of such costs in the locale of the rental property. A landlord shall not be responsible for any loss to a tenant resulting from storage of property in compliance with this act unless the loss was caused by the landlord's deliberate or negligent act or omission. L.1999,c.340,s.6.
Under N.J.S.A. 2A:18-51 et seq. § 2A:18-77, when a tenant retrieves property that a landlord has stored, the tenant is responsible for reimbursing the landlord for reasonable storage and removal costs—but only up to the fair market value of those services in the local area. The landlord, in turn, is generally shielded from liability for losses that occur during compliant storage, unless the loss resulted from the landlord's own deliberate or negligent conduct. This provision balances the financial obligations of both parties when personal property is held in the landlord's safekeeping.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under N.J.S.A. 2A:18-51 et seq. § 2A:18-77 generally document all storage and removal costs carefully, ensuring that any charges billed to a tenant reflect the fair market value of those services in the local area. Compliant operators typically retain receipts or invoices from storage facilities and movers to substantiate their costs if questioned. Landlords who store property in accordance with this act are generally not held liable for losses unless caused by their own deliberate or negligent act or omission.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.J.S.A. 2A:18-51 et seq. § 2A:18-77 establishes that a tenant who retrieves stored property owes the landlord reimbursement only for costs that are reasonable and consistent with fair market rates in the rental property's locale—not inflated or above-market charges. If a tenant believes the landlord's claimed costs exceed what is locally reasonable, or that property was damaged or lost due to the landlord's negligence, those concerns may be raised as part of a legal proceeding or through consultation with a tenant-rights organization in New Jersey. Tenants may also wish to request itemized documentation of all storage and removal charges before making any reimbursement.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 6, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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