N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:18-51 et seq. § 2A:18-82
Noncompliance with act; tenant's recovery
Operative Text
13. If a landlord seizes and retains a tenant's personal property without complying with this act, the tenant shall be relieved of any liability for reimbursement to the landlord for storage and removal costs and shall be entitled to recover up to twice the actual damages sustained by the tenant. L.1999,c.340,s.13.
Under N.J.S.A. 2A:18-51 et seq. § 2A:18-82, when a landlord seizes and holds a tenant's personal property without following the procedures required by the act, two consequences follow: the tenant is no longer obligated to reimburse the landlord for any storage or removal costs, and the tenant becomes eligible to recover up to double the actual damages they suffered. This provision creates a financial deterrent against improper seizure of personal property by making noncompliance costly for the landlord. The rule applies regardless of whether the landlord believed the seizure was justified.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating in New Jersey must carefully follow all procedural requirements of the act before seizing or retaining a tenant's personal property, as N.J.S.A. 2A:18-51 et seq. § 2A:18-82 makes noncompliance financially consequential. Compliant operators typically document each step of any property removal or storage process, ensure proper notice is given, and verify that all statutory conditions are met before taking possession of a tenant's belongings. Failing to adhere to these procedures can result in forfeiture of the right to collect storage and removal costs, as well as exposure to a damages award of up to twice the tenant's actual losses.
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:18-82 provides tenants with meaningful remedies when a landlord seizes or retains personal property without complying with the act's requirements. Tenants in this situation are generally relieved from paying storage or removal fees and may be entitled to recover up to twice their actual damages. Tenants who believe their property was improperly seized may consider consulting a tenant-rights organization, raising the violation as a defense in any related court proceeding, or exploring available civil remedies to understand which path fits their circumstances.
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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.