Eviction Notice Time periods NJ
Types of New Jersey Eviction Notices
Each possible ground for eviction has its own notice type. Some notices allow the tenant to fix (“cure”) the issue and continue the tenancy, while others simply state an amount of time to vacate.
|
Grounds |
Time |
Curable? |
|
30-Day |
No |
|
|
30-Day |
Yes |
|
|
7/30/90-Day |
No |
|
|
3-Day |
No |
|
|
3-Day |
No |
|
|
3-Months |
No |
|
|
18-Months |
No |
|
|
1-Month |
No |
|
|
3-Years |
No |
|
|
2-Months |
No |
|
|
3-Day |
No |
|
|
3-Day |
No |
Source https://ipropertymanagement.com/templates/new-jersey-eviction-notice-form
GROUNDS FOR EVICTION
a. Failure to Pay Rent
If a tenant fails to pay rent, the landlord may immediately take legal action to have the tenant evicted. The landlord is not required to give the tenant notice before filing an eviction suit, except if the tenant resides in federally subsidized housing. If the tenant resides in federally subsidized housing a 14-day notice must be given before filing a suit for eviction.
Note: A tenant may not be evicted for nonpayment of rent, if the tenant used the unpaid portion of rent to continue utility services to the rental premises after receiving notice that the services were in danger of being discontinued, and if the landlord was responsible for the payment of those utility services and did not make the payments required to retain the use of those services. These utilities include: electric, gas, water and sewer. The money used to pay for the continuance of those services shall be considered part of the rent payment.
b. Disorderly Conduct Eviction NJ
If after given written Notice to Cease disorderly conduct, the tenant continues the disorderly conduct and that conduct destroys the peace and quiet of the other tenants living in the house or neighborhood, the landlord may file a suit for eviction. A Notice to Quit must be served on the tenant at least three days prior to filing a suit for eviction.
Disorderly conduct that disturbs other tenants
Notices required:
- Notice to cease
- Notice to quit must be served on the tenant at least three days before filing an eviction suit.
Comments:
- Notice to cease must specifically and in detail describe the disorderly conduct and demand that the tenant stop it or face eviction. Cite: A.P. Development Corp. v. Band, 113 N.J. 485 (1988). The notice must also tell you that if you stop the disorderly conduct, then you won’t be evicted. Cite: RWB Newton Assoc. v. Gunn, 224 N.J. Super. 704 (App. Div. 1988).
- Disorderly conduct must then continue after the notice to cease for the tenant to be evicted.
c. Damage or destruction of the landlord’s property
Notices required:
- Notice to quit must be served on the tenant at least three days before filing the eviction suit.
Comments:
- The tenant’s conduct that causes the damage must be intentional or grossly negligent. (You can’t be evicted because of damage caused by a simple accident or mistake on your part.) Cite: Korman Suites v. Kelsch Assoc., 372 NJ Super 161 (L.aw Div. 2004)
Alterations made without the landlord’s consent/authorization can be deemed as damage, even if the alterations are an improvement.
Source https://www.lsnjlaw.org/Housing/Landlord-Tenant/Evictions/Pages/Right-Court-Process.aspx#b
Eviction Process for Disorderly Conduct
A tenant can be evicted in New Jersey for being “disorderly” to the point that other tenants’ peaceable enjoyment of the rental property is ruined. This can even extend to peaceable enjoyment of anyone else living in the neighborhood, even if they don’t live on the rental property.
Tenants must first be given a written Notice to Cease, warning them to stop the behavior, before the landlord can give them a Notice to Quit.
If the tenant continues to be “disorderly” after receiving the Notice to Cease, the landlord must provide the tenant with a 3-Day Notice to Quit, giving the tenant three days [5]to move out of the rental unit in order to avoid eviction.
If the tenant remains on the property after the notice period expires, the landlord may proceed with the eviction process.
c. Damage or Destruction to the Property
The tenant may be evicted if he has intentionally or by reason of gross negligence caused or allowed destruction, damage or injury to the property. A Notice to Quit must be served on the tenant at least three days prior to filing a suit for eviction.
d. Substantial Violation or Breach of the Landlord’s Rules and Regulations
If after given a written Notice to Cease violating or breaching reasonable rules and regulations contained in the lease or accepted in writing by the tenant, the tenant continues to substantially violate or breach the rules and regulations, the landlord may file a suit for eviction. A Notice to Quit must be served on the tenant at least one month prior to filing the suit for eviction. In addition, any notices must be given on or before the start of a new month.
e. Violation or Breach of Covenants or Agreements Contained in the Lease
1. 1) If the tenant continues to substantially violate or breach the reasonable covenants or agreements contained in the lease, after given written Notice to Cease violating or breaching those covenants or agreements and if the landlord has reserved a right of re-entry in the lease, the landlord may file a suit for eviction. A Notice to Quit must be served on the tenant at
least one month prior to filing the suit for eviction.
2. 2) In public housing, if the tenant has substantially violated or breached any of the covenants or agreements contained in the lease, pertaining to illegal uses of controlled dangerous substances, or other illegal activities, the landlord may file a suit for eviction. The covenant or agreement must conform to federal guidelines and must have been in effect at the beginning of the lease term. The landlord does not have to give Notice to Cease the illegal activity before filing for a Notice to Quit. A Notice to Quit must be served on the tenant in accordance with federal regulations pertaining to public housing.
Note: A public housing authority may evict a tenant when a member of the tenant’s household or guest engages in drug-related activity, even if the tenant did not know of the drug related activity. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development v. Rucker, 122 S.Ct. 1230 (2002).
f. Failure to Pay Rent Increase
If a tenant fails to pay rent after being given notice of a rent increase and a Notice to Quit, the landlord may file a suit for eviction. The rent increase must not be unconscionable and must comply with all other laws or municipal ordinances, including rent control. A Notice to Quit must be served on the tenant at least one month prior to filing the suit for eviction.
Note: If the tenant believes the rent increase is unconscionable, he may withhold a portion of the rent. He may withhold the difference between the old rent rate and the new increased rate. However, the landlord may file a suit for eviction and the court would determine if the rent increase is unconscionable.
g. Health and Safety Violation or Removal from the Rental Market
A tenant may be evicted if the following conditions apply:
1. 1) The landlord has been cited by an inspector and needs to board up or demolish the property because of substantial health and safety violations and because it is financially difficult to fix the violations.
2. 2) The landlord needs to fix health and safety violations and it is not possible to do so, while the tenant resides at the property. When the landlord serves the eviction notice he must also notify the Department of Community Affairs, Landlord-Tenant Information Service, P.O. Box 805, Trenton, New Jersey 08635-0805. In addition, upon request, the landlord must provide the Department of Community Affairs with information as required under the law, so that the Department may prepare a report informing all parties and the court of the feasibility of the landlord to fix the violations without removing the tenants from the property.
3. 3) The landlord needs to correct an illegal occupancy and it is not possible to correct this violation without removing the tenant.
4. 4) A governmental agency wants to permanently take the property off the rental market, so that it can redevelop or clear land in a blighted area.
A Notice to Quit must be served on the tenant at least three months before filing a suit for eviction. The tenant can’t be evicted until relocation assistance is provided.
Note: Tenants evicted under this cause may be eligible for financial and other assistance for relocation. If eligible, this assistance must be provided before the tenant can be evicted. Information on relocation assistance can be obtained from the Relocation Assistance Program of the Division of Codes and Standards, P.O. Box 802, Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0806, (609) 984- 7609.
Any tenant evicted under g. 3) (illegal occupancy) is entitled to relocation assistance in an amount equal to six times the tenant’s monthly rent. The landlord is responsible for paying the tenant’s relocation expenses. Any tenant who does not receive the required payment from the landlord at least five days prior to his or her removal from the premises, may receive payment from a revolving relocation assistance fund established by the municipality. The landlord will be required to repay the money to the municipality. (Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1g.)
However, if the municipality has not established a relocation assistance fund, and the landlord does not pay the relocation funds within the required time, interest will accrue on the unpaid balance at the rate of 18% per year until the amount due, including interest is paid in full to the tenant. The amount due to the tenant is a lien on the property. The tenant may file a lien statement with the county clerk or registrar in order to enforce the lien. (Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1h.)
h. The Landlord Wants to Permanently Retire the Property from Residential Use
If the landlord wants to permanently retire a building or mobile home park from residential use, provided the circumstances covered under section (g) above do not apply, the landlord may file suit for eviction. A Notice to Quit must be served on the tenant at least 18 months prior to filing the suit for eviction. No legal action may be taken until the lease expires.
i. Refusal to Accept Reasonable Changes in the Terms and Conditions of the Lease
When the lease expires, the landlord may propose reasonable but substantial changes to the terms and conditions of the lease. If after written notice the tenant refuses to accept those changes the landlord may file suit for eviction and the court will determine if the proposed changes are reasonable. In cases where a tenant has received a notice of termination on any of the grounds listed in section (k) below, has a protected tenancy status pursuant to the “Senior Citizens and Disabled Protected Tenancy Act,” or pursuant to the “Tenant Protection Act of 1992,” the landlord or owner shall have the burden of proving that any changes in the terms and conditions of the lease, rental or regulations are reasonable and does not substantially reduce the rights and privileges that the tenant was entitled to prior to the conversion. A Notice to Quit must be served on the tenant at least one month before filing suit for eviction.
Note: The Senior Citizens and Disabled Protected Tenancy Act protects qualifying tenants from changes in the terms of the tenancy or rent increases, which rests solely on the landlord’s decision to convert the rental premises.
j. Tenant Continuously Fails to Pay Rent or Habitually Pays Late
If the tenant continuously fails to pay rent or habitually pays late, after written Notice to Cease, the landlord may file a suit for eviction. A Notice to Quit must be served on the tenant at least one month before filing a suit for eviction.
Note: The Courts have ruled that habitual late payments means more than one (1) late payment following the Notice to Cease. Also the N.J. Supreme Court ruled that a landlord after giving a tenant a notice to cease late payments, must continue to give the tenant reasonable and sufficient notice when accepting further late payments, that continued late payments from the tenant would result in an eviction action. If the landlord does not give this continued notice, the original Notice to Cease given to the tenant may be considered waived by the Court.
k. Conversion to Condominium, Cooperative or Fee Simple Ownership
If the landlord or owner of a building or mobile home park is converting the property from the rental market to a condominium, cooperative or fee simple ownership of two or more dwelling units or park sites, except as hereinafter provided in subsection (l) below, the landlord may file a suit for eviction. The landlord must comply with the regulations governing conversion to condominiums and cooperatives, before a warrant for possession shall be issued. Up to five one-year stays if eviction shall be granted by the court if the tenant has not been offered a reasonable opportunity to examine and rent comparable housing. However, not more than one-year stay shall be granted if the landlord allows the tenant five months’ free rent as compensation for hardship in relocation. No action for possession shall be brought against a senior citizen tenant or disabled tenant with protected tenancy status pursuant to the “Senior Citizens and Disabled Protected Tenancy Act of 1992,” as long as the agency has not terminated the protected tenancy status or the protected tenancy period has not expired. A Notice to Quit must be served on the tenant at least three years before filing a suit for eviction. No legal action may be taken until the lease expires.
l. Tenancy After Conversion to Condominium, Cooperative or Fee Simple Ownership
1. 1) The landlord may file for eviction, if the owner of a building or mobile home park, which is constructed as or being converted to a condominium, cooperative or fee simple ownership, seeks to evict a tenant or sublessee whose initial tenancy began after the master deed, agreement establishing the cooperative or subdivision plat was recorded, because the owner has contracted to sell the unit to a buyer who seeks to personally occupy it and the contract for sale calls for the unit to be vacant at the time of closing. However, no action shall be brought against a tenant under paragraph one (1) of this subsection unless the tenant was given a statement, informing the tenant that the property is being converted. A Notice to Quit must be served on the tenant at least two months prior to filing suit for eviction. No legal
action may be taken until the lease expires.
2. 2) The landlord may file for eviction, if the owner of three or less condominium or cooperative units seeks to evict a tenant whose initial tenancy began, by rental, after the master deed or agreement establishing the cooperative was recorded, because the owner seeks to personally occupy the unit, or has contracted to sell the unit to a buyer who seeks to personally occupy it and the contract for sale calls for the unit to be vacant at the time of closing. A Notice to Quit must be served on the Tenant at least two months prior to filing suit for eviction. No legal action may be taken until the lease expires.
3. 3) The landlord may file for eviction, if the owner of a building with three residential units or less seeks to personally occupy a unit, or has contracted to sell the residential unit to a buyer who wishes to personally occupy it and the contract for sale calls for the unit to be vacant at the time of closing. A Notice to Quit must be served on the Tenant at least two months prior to filing suit for eviction. No legal action may be taken until the lease expires.
m. Tenancy Based on Employment
If a tenant resides in the property on the condition that, he is employed by the landlord as a superintendent, janitor or in some other job and that employment is terminated the landlord may file suit for eviction. A Notice to Quit must be served on the tenant three days prior to filing a suit for eviction.
n. Conviction of a Drug Offense Committed on the Property
The landlord may file suit for eviction, if the tenant, including juveniles who have been found by the Court to be delinquent, has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to drug offenses that took place on the property, and has not in connection with his sentence either (1) successfully completed or (2) been admitted to and continues during probation participation toward completion of a drug rehabilitation program. Also, if the tenant lets a person who has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to drug offenses, occupy the premises for residential purposes whether it is continuously or occasionally, the landlord may file for eviction. This does not apply to a tenant allowing a juvenile to reside at the property where the juvenile has been found to be delinquent due to use or possession of drugs. No eviction suit may be brought more than two years after: the juvenile was found to be delinquent; conviction of the person; or after the person’s release from incarceration whichever is later. A Notice to Quit must be served on the tenant at least three days prior to filing suit for eviction.
o. Conviction of Assaulting or Threatening the Landlord, His Family or Employees
The landlord may file for eviction, if the tenant has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to, or if a juvenile has been found by the court to be delinquent due to an offense involving assault or terrorist threats against the landlord, a member of the landlord’s family or an employee of the landlord. Also, if the tenant permits a person he knows has been convicted of or has pleaded guilty to these
actions to reside at the premises continuously or occasionally, the landlord may file suit for eviction.
No eviction suit may be brought more than two years after: the juvenile was found to be delinquent; conviction of the person; or after the person’s release from incarceration whichever is later. A Notice to Quit must be served on the tenant at least three days prior to filing a suit for eviction.
p. Civil Court Action that Holds Tenant Liable for Involvement in Criminal Activities
The landlord may file for eviction, if the tenant is found by a civil court proceeding (not criminal) to be liable for involvement in theft of property located on the premises, involvement in assaults or terrorist threats against the landlord, a member of the landlord’s family or an employee of the landlord, or involvement in illegal drug activities that takes place on the premises and that tenant has not in connection with his sentence for the drug offense either (1) successfully completed or (2) been admitted to and continues during probation participation towards completion of a drug rehabilitation program. Also, if the tenant permits a person he knows has been convicted of or has pleaded guilty to these actions, to reside at the premises continuously or occasionally, the landlord may file for eviction. This does not apply to a tenant allowing a juvenile to reside at the property where the juvenile has been found to be delinquent due to the use or possession of drugs. No eviction suit may be brought more than two years after: the juvenile was found to be delinquent; conviction of the person; or after the person’s release from incarceration whichever is later. A Notice to Quit must be served on the tenant at least three days prior to filing suit for eviction.
q. Conviction for Theft of Property
The landlord may file for eviction, if the tenant has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to, or if a juvenile has been found to be delinquent by the Court due to an offense involving theft of property from the landlord or from tenants residing in the same building or complex. Also, if the tenant permits a person he knows has been convicted of or has pleaded guilty to these actions to reside at the premises continuously or occasionally, the landlord may file for eviction. A Notice to Quit must be served on the tenant at least three days prior to filing suit for eviction.
EVICTIONS FOR OWNER-OCCUPIED TWO AND THREE FAMILY DWELLINGS
In addition to the causes listed above, a tenant residing in an owner-occupied two or three family dwelling may be evicted if the landlord can show that the tenant is staying after the expiration of the lease and the landlord has given the tenant a written notice for delivery of possession of the property. Under this cause of not renewing the lease, a three month notice to quit must be given if an at will tenancy or year-to year tenancy exists. A one-month notice to quit is required for a month-to-month tenancy.
SELF-HELP EVICTIONS OR LOCKOUT
Self-help evictions occur when the landlord or someone acting on the landlord’s behalf enters into the dwelling unit without the permission of the tenant and without a judgment from the Court and forces the tenant to move. A lockout occurs when the landlord padlocks your door or changes your locks while you are not home and then refuses to allow you back into the premises. A lockout is also when the landlord shuts off the utilities in attempt to force you to move. Self-help evictions or lockouts made by the landlord are illegal in New Jersey.
If a landlord attempts a self-help eviction or lockout, the tenant should call the police. If the landlord refuses to allow the tenant back into the premises after the police have warned the landlord about the illegal procedure, the landlord may be charged with a disorderly person’s offense. Only a judge can order a legal eviction.
Source
https://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/codes/publications/pdf_lti/grnds_for_evicti_bulltin.pdf
Landlord/Tenant Laws:
There are two New Jersey statutes that apply to eviction cases. The laws differ on when and why a renter can be evicted.
See N.J.S.A. 2A:18-53 for commercial tenants (not homes) and for residential properties with no more than two rental units (such as a two-family home, or a three-family home if the landlord also lives in one of the units).
N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1 et. seq. applies to all other residential tenants, except for hotels, motels and seasonal renters.
Eviction Bill-Services Kenneth Vercammen & Associates
- Prepare Complaint Landlord/Tenant. Add amount unpaid, late fees and costs
- Fill out the form Tenancy Summons.
Prepare Letter to court to File Complaint
Tenancy Division
PO Box 1146
New Brunswick, NJ 08903-1146
Hand deliver Tenancy Eviction complaint to courthouse at 56 Paterson St., New Brunswick, NJ 08901.
Review Complaint, summons Court hearing notice and supporting documents,
Travel to Middlesex County Courthouse
Spoke with client
Attendance at Judge mandatory opening statement, attendance at calendar call/hearing, sign eviction paperwork
Meeting with client
LANDLORDS - EVICTING TENANTS FOR NON-PAYMENT OF RENT
Eviction suit legal Fee $2,000 payable Vercammen & Assoc PC,
You must also pay the court costs by check payable Treasurer, State of NJ. [Between $ 65- $85]
Fees do not include post judgment fees or services or proceeding with a Warrant for Removal
This does not include handle filing of a separate suit for money owed in Superior Court. Our up front fee for other litigation is $5,000. Sometimes it is not cost effective to spend thousands of additional dollars to chase a deadbeat tenant.
By Kenneth A. Vercammen Esq
This article will briefly explore certain remedies and recommendations to landlords. Unlike big apartment complexes, many landlords in New Jersey do not have full time management companies handling the collection of rent. Yet all landlords should handle their payments as a business, just as big corporate landlords. More info at http://www.njlaws.com/landlords-eviciting_tenants_for_nonpayment.htm
WRITTEN LEASE
A written lease is recommended for all rentals even for a month to month. Your lease should specifically require that the tenant pay the landlord's attorney's fees if they fail to pay rent or breach the lease in any way. If a written lease does not provide for attorneys fees, the court cannot award attorneys fees. In addition, your lease should provide in writing for re-renting cost if the tenant breaches the lease. Many leases also provide for late fees.
NON-PAYMENT OF RENT
If your tenant fails to pay and you want to evict the tenant, a Tenancy Summons Dispossess Eviction Complaint must be filed in the Supreme Court's Special Civil Part. The court-filing fee is less than $50. Different attorneys charge different fees depending upon the amount of work to be done. Your attorney can prepare the mandatory complaint and summons.
The court constable is required to personally serve the tenant with a copy of the complaint. The court clerk will fill out the date and time for hearing on the summons, which also will be served on the tenant.
You and your attorney should appear on the date for hearing. If the tenant appears, parties sometimes work out a payment plan for rent with a stipulation of settlement and stay of eviction. The landlord and tenant usually agree if all rent is not paid according to the schedule, the court is directed to issue a warrant for possession.
FAILURE OF TENANT TO APPEAR
If the tenant fails to appear by the second call, you can pay an additional fee for a warrant of removal. This is obtained at the Special Civil Part Clerk, Tenancy Section Office. After waiting three days, the constable is given the warrant to serve at the tenant's property. If the tenant still fails to move, arrangements can be made with the constable and locksmith to physically remove the tenants and change locks.
REGISTRATION OF PROPERTY
Most residential units most be registered with the town. It is a good idea to bring proof of registration when you go to court.
FILE A SPECIAL CIVIL PART COMPLAINT FOR MONEY OWED
Most eviction complaints are evictions based only on non-payment of rent. The New Jersey Anti-Eviction Act places substantial notice requirement on landlords who wish to evict tenants for reasons other than non-payment of rent. If the tenant is able to pay the rent in full prior to warrant of possession, the court will let the tenant remain in the property.
HOW TO GET YOUR MONEY- You must file a separate lawsuit in the Special Civil Part
The Tenancy Judge will not require the tenant to pay attorneys fees, damages and other costs. This court can only evict tenants, or permit tenants to remain if they paid the rent in full. To protect yourself and get all money due, file a money owed complaint in the Special Civil Part. The filing fee is $75.00 plus postage
KENNETH VERCAMMEN & ASSOCIATES, PC
ATTORNEY AT LAW
2053 Woodbridge Ave.
Edison, NJ 08817
(Phone) 732-572-0500
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