N.J. Stat. Ann. § 46:8-1 et seq. § 46:8-22
Enforcement of trust by civil action
Operative Text
Any trust arising under the provisions of this act shall be enforceable by a civil action in a court of competent jurisdiction and that court shall have jurisdiction to make any appropriate order or judgment both pendente lite and final to fully effectuate the purposes of this act. L.1967, c. 265, s. 4, eff. Jan. 1, 1968.
Under N.J.S.A. 46:8-1 et seq. § 46:8-22, any trust created by New Jersey's security deposit law can be enforced through a civil lawsuit filed in a court with proper authority. That court has the power to issue both temporary and final orders or judgments needed to carry out the law's purposes. This provision ensures that the legal protections built into the security deposit statute have a clear judicial enforcement mechanism.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to N.J.S.A. 46:8-1 et seq. § 46:8-22 should be aware that tenants or other parties may bring a civil action in court to enforce any trust obligations arising under New Jersey's security deposit law. Compliant operators generally maintain proper trust accounts and records so that, if a civil action is filed, they can demonstrate adherence to the statute's requirements. Courts hearing such cases hold broad authority to issue interim and final relief, making documented compliance an important operational practice.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.J.S.A. 46:8-1 et seq. § 46:8-22 gives tenants a civil court remedy to enforce the trust protections that New Jersey's security deposit law creates. If a landlord has failed to properly handle a security deposit held in trust, a tenant may have grounds to file a civil action seeking a court order or judgment. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid offices can help explain what types of relief courts are authorized to grant under this provision.
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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