N.J. Stat. Ann. § 55:13A-1 et seq. § 55:13A-20.2
Mortgage holder of record; notice of failure by owner to abate violations
Operative Text
Whenever the Attorney General files an action in the Superior Court, on behalf of the Commissioner of Community Affairs, pursuant to section 6 (C. 55:13A-6) of the "Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law" P.L.1967, c. 76 or the Penalty Enforcement Law (N.J.S. 2A:58-1 et seq.) following the failure of an owner of a building subject to the Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law to abate violations of the regulations promulgated pursuant to the law after receipt of notices and orders to terminate violations as required by the law or the failure of the owner to pay a civil penalty assessed pursuant to the laws after receipt of notice and order to pay penalty the Commissioner of Community Affairs shall cause to be forwarded, by regular first class mail, to any mortgage holder of record a notice of filing of the action and copies of any notices and orders which provide the cause for said action. The mortgage holder of record shall be any holder of record as filed with the municipal clerk pursuant to P.L.1974, c. 50 (C. 46:8-27 et seq.). L.1975, c. 191, s. 2, eff. Aug. 16, 1975.
Under N.J.S.A. 55:13A-1 et seq. § 55:13A-20.2, when the Attorney General files a court action against a building owner who has failed to correct violations of the Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law or to pay assessed civil penalties, the Commissioner of Community Affairs is required to notify any mortgage holder of record by first-class mail. That notice includes copies of the underlying notices and orders that prompted the legal action. The mortgage holder of record is defined as whoever has filed that status with the municipal clerk under New Jersey's landlord registration statutes.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to the Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law should be aware that under N.J.S.A. 55:13A-1 et seq. § 55:13A-20.2, unresolved violations or unpaid civil penalties can trigger court action by the Attorney General — and when that happens, the Commissioner of Community Affairs will formally notify any mortgage holder of record. Compliant operators generally respond promptly to notices and orders to correct violations and satisfy assessed penalties before litigation becomes necessary. Keeping accurate mortgage-holder registration current with the municipal clerk is also part of standard compliance practice under this framework.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in buildings covered by the Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law may find it useful to know that N.J.S.A. 55:13A-1 et seq. § 55:13A-20.2 creates a mechanism that brings mortgage holders into the picture when an owner repeatedly ignores violation orders or fails to pay civil penalties. This provision does not directly create tenant remedies, but the underlying enforcement process — including the notices and orders referenced here — is part of the broader Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law framework that governs habitability standards. Tenants who believe violations exist in their building can explore options such as contacting the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for general information about the complaint process.
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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