N.J. Stat. Ann. § 46:8-1 et seq. § 46:8-49.2
Receipt required
Operative Text
3. a. A landlord shall provide a receipt, either printed or emailed, to a tenant for each cash payment made to the landlord for any amount due to the landlord pursuant to a residential lease, renewal, or extension agreement. The receipt shall accurately indicate the amount of the payment, the purpose of the payment, when the payment was received, the printed or typed names of both the landlord and tenant, and who accepted the payment. b. A landlord who violates this section shall be subject to the penalty provisions of section 5 of P.L.1975, c.310 (C.46:8-47), except that the penalty shall be $100 more for a second violation by a landlord within a five-year period, and the penalty shall be $200 more for each subsequent violation by a landlord within a five-year period. c. It shall be a valid defense in any action or proceeding against a tenant to recover possession of real property for the nonpayment of rent that the landlord violated this section with respect to the months in which the violation or violations occurred. L.2019, c.300, s.3.
Under N.J.S.A. 46:8-49.2, whenever a tenant pays rent or any other lease-related amount in cash, the landlord is required to issue a receipt—either on paper or by email—that documents the payment amount, its purpose, the date received, both parties' names, and who accepted the funds. Landlords who fail to comply face monetary penalties that escalate for repeat violations within a five-year window. Notably, a tenant facing an eviction action for nonpayment of rent may raise the landlord's failure to provide a receipt as a legal defense for the months in which the violation occurred.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to N.J.S.A. 46:8-49.2 generally maintain a consistent practice of issuing a receipt—printed or emailed—for every cash payment received under a residential lease, renewal, or extension. A compliant receipt includes the exact dollar amount, the payment's purpose, the date it was received, the printed or typed names of both landlord and tenant, and the name of the person who accepted the payment. Operators who track these records carefully are better positioned to avoid the escalating penalties that apply to second and subsequent violations within a five-year period.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under N.J.S.A. 46:8-49.2, tenants who pay rent or other lease charges in cash have a right to receive a receipt—either printed or emailed—each time a payment is made. If a landlord fails to provide a compliant receipt, that failure can serve as a valid defense in an eviction proceeding based on nonpayment of rent for the months in which the violation occurred. Tenants who believe their rights under this section have been violated may wish to document their payment history carefully and consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider to understand available options.
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 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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