N.J. Stat. Ann. § 46:8-1 et seq. § 46:8-28.1
Certificate; indexing, filing; inspection; fee; validation
Operative Text
3. In the case of a filing under section 2 of P.L.1974, c.50 (C.46:8-28) with the municipal clerk, or with such other municipal official as is designated by the clerk, the clerk or designated official shall index and file the certificate and make it reasonably available for public inspection. In the case of a filing with the Bureau of Housing Inspection, the filing shall be accompanied by the filing fee required pursuant to section 12 of P.L.1967, c. 76 (C. 55:13A-12). The bureau shall review the certificate and, if it is found to be in conformity with this law and any regulations promulgated hereunder, validate the certificate and issue a validated copy to the landlord and a validated copy to the clerk of the municipality in which the building or project is located. The clerk shall index the validated certificates, or forward them to the designated official for indexing, and the certificates shall be made available as with the certificates required of one and two dwelling unit nonowner occupied premises. L.1981,c.442,s.3; amended 2001, c.264, s.2.
Under N.J.S.A. 46:8-1 et seq. § 46:8-28.1, when a landlord files a housing certificate with the municipal clerk (or a designated official), that certificate must be indexed, filed, and made reasonably available for public inspection. When the filing goes to the Bureau of Housing Inspection instead, a fee is required, and the Bureau reviews the certificate for legal conformity before validating it and distributing copies to both the landlord and the relevant municipal clerk. Validated certificates are then indexed and made publicly available in the same manner as certificates for small non-owner-occupied dwellings.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Landlords operating under N.J.S.A. 46:8-1 et seq. § 46:8-28.1 generally ensure that their housing certificates are filed with the correct receiving office—either the municipal clerk or the Bureau of Housing Inspection—and, when filing with the Bureau, include the required filing fee. Compliant operators retain the validated copy issued by the Bureau as confirmation that their certificate was found to conform with applicable law and regulations. Keeping records of both the filing and the validated certificate helps demonstrate ongoing compliance if questions arise from municipal officials or tenants.
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. § 46:8-28.1 establishes that housing certificates filed by landlords must be indexed and made reasonably available for public inspection at the municipal clerk's office or with a designated official. Tenants who want to review a landlord's certificate can generally request access through the municipal clerk's office, or check whether a validated copy was issued by the Bureau of Housing Inspection. Tenant-rights organizations or legal aid services can help tenants understand what the certificate covers and what options may be available if a certificate appears to be missing or non-conforming.
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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