TRENTON, N.J. — Legislation aimed at strengthening tenant protections and curbing certain rent increases advanced in the New Jersey General Assembly on Monday.
The bill, A3507, sponsored by Assembly members Yvonne Lopez, Cody Miller and Shanique Speight, would clarify and expand the criteria used to determine what constitutes an unconscionable rent increase, a standard that is currently in state law but not clearly defined.
“If we want to make New Jersey more affordable, we need to ensure renters aren’t getting priced out of their homes. When rent increases dramatically without clear justification, it can destabilize families and entire communities,” said Assemblywoman Lopez (D-Middlesex). “This bill would help to make sure renters have protections in place and that the market operates in a way that works for everyone, not just those looking to make money.”
Under existing law, New Jersey prohibits unconscionable rent increases, but the lack of a clear definition has made enforcement inconsistent. The proposed legislation would codify a standard for determining when a rent hike crosses that threshold.
“When we talk about affordability in New Jersey, housing often takes center stage,” said Assemblyman Miller (D-Atlantic, Camden, Gloucester). “We know that rent represents one of the largest expenditures for families across New Jersey. That’s why we’re focused on strengthening protections for tenants and driving down costs.”
In addition to addressing rent increases, the bill includes provisions to protect tenant privacy by limiting public access to certain eviction records. The measure would restrict access to cases where no judgment for possession was entered or where judgments are more than seven years old.
“When looking for a place to rent, no one likes to be tethered to an eviction that happened years ago, perhaps even during a different time in their lives,” said Assemblywoman Speight (D-Essex, Hudson). “By limiting public access to certain eviction records, we are giving renters a chance to make a fresh start and access to a place they can call their own.”
