N.J. Stat. Ann. § 46:8-1 et seq. § 46:8-8
Forfeiture of lease of premises used for prostitution or assignation
Operative Text
If the lessee of any dwelling house or other premises situate in this state shall use the same for purposes of prostitution or assignation, the lease or agreement for letting the same shall thereupon become immediately void, and the landlord may enter thereon, and shall have the same remedies to recover possession as are given by law when a tenant holds over after the expiration of his lease.
Under N.J.S.A. 46:8-1 et seq. § 46:8-8, a residential or other lease in New Jersey becomes immediately void by operation of law if the tenant uses the premises for prostitution or assignation. Once that use occurs, the landlord is no longer bound by the lease agreement and gains the legal right to reclaim possession of the property. The statute places the tenant in the same legal position as someone who remains on a property after a lease has already expired.
Plain English — not legal advice.
N.J.S.A. 46:8-1 et seq. § 46:8-8 provides that a landlord whose tenant uses the premises for prostitution or assignation may treat the lease as automatically void and pursue possession through the same legal channels available against a holdover tenant. Operators who become aware of such use generally document the activity carefully and consult legal counsel before taking any steps to recover the property. Because the statute grants specific remedies, compliant landlords typically follow established New Jersey court procedures rather than attempting self-help eviction.
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. § 46:8-8 establishes that a lease is rendered void when a tenant uses the dwelling for prostitution or assignation, which can expose a tenant to immediate loss of their housing without the ordinary lease-expiration process. Tenants who believe a landlord is invoking this provision incorrectly or without proper basis may have grounds to raise that as a defense in any resulting court proceeding. Consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service familiar with New Jersey housing law can help a tenant understand what procedural protections may still apply.
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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