N.J. Stat. Ann. § 52:27D-280 et seq. § 52:27D-287.12
Definitions
Operative Text
1. As used in P.L.2025, c.85 (C.52:27D-287.12 et seq.): "Commissioner" means Commissioner of Community Affairs. "Covered dwelling site" means a parcel of land within a manufactured home park that is leased to the owner of a modular or industrialized building or a manufactured home for living and dwelling purposes for tenancy on the site. "Industrialized or modular building" means any building of closed construction, including, but not limited to, modular housing that is factory-built, single-family, and multi-family housing, including closed-wall, panelized housing, as well as other modular, nonresidential buildings. "Industrialized or modular building" shall not include any structure subject to the requirements of the National Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42. U.S.C. s.5401 et seq.). "Landlord" means a person or entity who owns or manages a manufactured home park and who rents, leases, or charges a lot fee, or offers to rent, lease, or charge a lot fee, for a term of at least one month, a covered dwelling site. "Manufactured home" means a structure for which the manufacturer has filed a certification required by the Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development pursuant to 42 U.S.C. s.5415 and which complies with the federal standards established pursuant to the National Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42. U.S.C. s.5401 et seq.). "Manufactured home park" means a parcel of land, or two or more contiguous parcels of land, designed and improved such that the land contains two or more sites, each of which is equipped for the placement of modular or industrialized buildings or manufactured homes and which sites are under common ownership and control, other than as a cooperative, for the purpose of leasing each site to the owner of a modular or industrialized building or a manufactured home for installation thereon and where the owner provides services, which may include, but shall not be limited to: Construction and maintenance of streets; Lighting of streets and other common areas; Garbage removal; Snow removal; and Provision for the drainage of surface water from home sites and common areas. "Rent" means the amount currently payable by the tenant to the landlord pursuant to a lease or other agreement, without regard to any modification thereof by any authorized board or agency or any court. "Rent" shall include lot fees, including license fees, charged by a landlord to a tenant, in addition to tax surcharge costs passed on to the tenant, and any other special expenses. "Tenancy" means the lawful occupation of a covered dwelling site and which includes a lease or sublease, oral or written. "Tenant" means a person who leases, rents, or pays a lot fee for a covered dwelling site. L.2025, c.85, s.1.
Section 52:27D-287.12 of P.L.2025, c.85 establishes the foundational vocabulary for New Jersey's manufactured home park tenancy law. It defines who qualifies as a landlord or tenant, what types of structures and land arrangements fall under the law's coverage, and what counts as "rent" — including lot fees, license fees, tax surcharges passed to residents, and other special expenses. These definitions set the boundaries for how the rest of the statute applies to manufactured home parks, modular buildings, and the people who live in them.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under N.J.S.A. 52:27D-287.12, operators of manufactured home parks should be aware that the law's definition of "landlord" extends to any person or entity that owns or manages such a park and rents, leases, or charges a lot fee for a covered dwelling site for at least one month. The definition of "rent" is broad, encompassing not just base lot fees but also license fees, tax surcharges passed through to residents, and other special expenses — meaning all such charges may be subject to the broader regulatory framework established by P.L.2025, c.85. Compliant park operators generally maintain clear records of all charges assessed to tenants and ensure that their lease agreements accurately reflect the full scope of fees covered by this definition.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.J.S.A. 52:27D-287.12 defines "tenant" as any person who leases, rents, or pays a lot fee for a covered dwelling site in a manufactured home park, and it broadly defines "rent" to include lot fees, license fees, tax surcharges, and other special expenses charged by a landlord. This means that residents of qualifying manufactured home parks — whether their home is a manufactured home or a modular or industrialized building — may be covered by the protections established throughout P.L.2025, c.85. Tenants who believe charges assessed by their park operator fall under this statute's definitions may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with New Jersey manufactured home park law to understand what avenues may be available to them.
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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