N.J. Stat. Ann. § 55:13A-1 et seq. § 55:13A-24
Hearings; rules of evidence
Operative Text
In any hearing under this act required or permitted to be held before the commissioner, the commissioner shall not be bound to apply the strict rules of evidence prevailing in civil actions in courts of competent jurisdiction. L.1967, c. 76, s. 24, eff. May 31, 1967.
Under N.J.S.A. 55:13A-24, when the commissioner conducts hearings authorized by the Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law (N.J.S.A. 55:13A-1 et seq.), the proceedings are not required to follow the formal rules of evidence that apply in civil court cases. This means the commissioner has flexibility in what information may be considered during a hearing, allowing for a more administrative rather than strictly judicial process. The rule reflects a common approach in administrative law, where agencies operate under relaxed evidentiary standards compared to courts.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers who appear before the commissioner in a hearing governed by N.J.S.A. 55:13A-24 should be aware that the proceeding will not necessarily mirror a civil court trial in terms of what evidence is admissible or how it is presented. Compliant operators generally prepare thorough documentation—such as inspection records, maintenance logs, and correspondence—since the commissioner may consider a broader range of materials than a court would. Understanding this flexible evidentiary framework under N.J.S.A. 55:13A-1 et seq. can help operators present their positions effectively in an administrative context.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.J.S.A. 55:13A-24 means that hearings before the commissioner under the Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law (N.J.S.A. 55:13A-1 et seq.) are not bound by the strict evidentiary rules used in civil courts, which can make it somewhat easier to present complaints or supporting materials in an administrative setting. Tenants who have concerns about housing conditions covered by this law may have the option of raising issues through the commissioner's hearing process, where formal legal procedures are less rigid. Tenant-rights organizations can help explain what types of documentation or information may be relevant to bring to such a proceeding.
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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