N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:33-1 et seq. § 2A:33-2
Place of impounding chattels
Operative Text
Chattels distrained or taken by distress, at one time, for any cause whatsoever, shall be impounded together or the distraining party shall be liable in treble damages to the party aggrieved.
Under N.J.S.A. 2A:33-1 et seq. § 2A:33-2, when personal property (chattels) is seized through the legal process of distress in a single action, all of those items must be impounded together in one place. If the seizing party keeps the items in separate locations rather than together, the law provides a remedy of treble damages—meaning three times the actual damages—to the person harmed by that separation. This rule is designed to prevent a distraining party from splitting seized goods in ways that could disadvantage the property owner.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners or managers who exercise distress rights under N.J.S.A. 2A:33-1 et seq. § 2A:33-2 generally ensure that all chattels seized in a single distress action are stored together at one impoundment location. Keeping seized items consolidated in one place is the standard practice that avoids exposure to treble-damages liability. Operators familiar with distress proceedings typically document the location and condition of all impounded items at the time of seizure to demonstrate compliance with this requirement.
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:33-1 et seq. § 2A:33-2 gives tenants or other aggrieved parties a right to treble damages if a distraining party impounds seized chattels in separate locations rather than together. If personal property taken through distress has been split up or stored in different places, that separation may form the basis of a legal claim for three times the resulting harm. Tenants who believe this provision has been violated may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand the available enforcement paths.
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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