N.J. Stat. Ann. § 55:13B-1 et seq. § 55:13B-6

Standards of construction, operation, safety

In Force
Verified 10/6/2026 · Next check 11/5/2026
effective 10/6/2026New JerseyHabitability & Repair

Operative Text

N.J. Stat. Ann. § 55:13B-1 et seq. § 55:13B-6
6. The commissioner shall establish standards to ensure that every rooming and boarding house in this State is constructed and operated in such a manner as will protect the health, safety and welfare of its residents and at the same time preserve and promote a homelike atmosphere appropriate to such facilities, including, but not limited to, standards to provide for the following:

a. Safety from fire;

b. Safety from structural, mechanical, plumbing and electrical deficiencies;

c. Adequate light and ventilation;

d. Physical security;

e. Protection from harassment, fraud and eviction without due cause;

f. Clean and reasonably comfortable surroundings;

g. Adequate personal and financial services rendered in boarding houses;

h. Disclosure of owner identification information;

i. Maintenance of orderly and sufficient financial and occupancy records;

j. Referral of residents, by the operator, to social service and health agencies for needed services;

k. Assurance that no constitutional, civil or legal right will be denied solely by reason of residence in a rooming or boarding house;

l. Reasonable access for employees of public and private agencies, and reasonable access for other citizens upon receiving the consent of the resident to be visited by them;

m. Opportunity for each resident to live with as much independence, autonomy and interaction with the surrounding community as the resident is capable of doing ;

n. (Deleted by amendment, P.L.2015, c.125)

o. An approved heating and cooling system capable of maintaining the temperature of the facility within the required range. In all areas used by residents, the operator shall maintain the rooming and boarding house at a temperature within the range of 65 through 81 degrees Fahrenheit, except in rooms:

(1) designated for activities requiring physical exertion; or

(2) where residents can individually control the temperature in their own living units, independent from other areas.

L.1979, c.496, s.6; amended 1997, c.260, s.2; 2015, c.125, s.13; 2021, c.260, s.4.
Source: Legislative text reproduced verbatim
Plain English

Section 55:13B-6 of New Jersey's Rooming and Boarding House Act directs the state commissioner to establish comprehensive standards governing how rooming and boarding houses are built and run. These standards cover a broad range of resident protections, from fire safety and structural soundness to personal autonomy, freedom from harassment, and access to social services. The provision also sets specific temperature requirements, mandating that common and resident areas be kept between 65 and 81 degrees Fahrenheit, with limited exceptions for exercise rooms or individually controlled units.

Written by anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6 · Reviewed on October 14, 2026

Plain English — not legal advice.

For Property Managers

Operators of rooming and boarding houses in New Jersey are expected to comply with the full suite of standards issued under N.J.S.A. 55:13B-6, which touch on nearly every aspect of facility management. Compliant operators generally maintain functioning heating and cooling systems capable of keeping resident areas within the 65–81°F range, keep accurate financial and occupancy records, post or disclose owner identification information, and facilitate resident access to social service and health agencies when needed. Operators also generally take care to preserve residents' civil and legal rights and to protect them from harassment, fraud, or eviction without due cause.

General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.

For Tenants

Residents of rooming and boarding houses in New Jersey are afforded a wide range of protections under N.J.S.A. 55:13B-6, including the right to safe, clean, and adequately heated or cooled surroundings, protection from harassment and wrongful eviction, and assurance that no constitutional or civil right is forfeited simply by virtue of living in such a facility. If conditions in a facility appear to fall short of these standards—such as temperatures outside the 65–81°F range or structural hazards—residents may consider documenting the conditions and contacting the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, which oversees rooming and boarding house licensing and enforcement. Tenant-rights organizations in New Jersey can also help residents understand which enforcement paths may be available under this provision.

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.

Effective Timeline

Current
Oct 6, 2026
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Related Rules

§ 244.260
Compliance required
§ 14.567
ADOPTED BY REFERENCE
§ 244.340
Sewer and water connections