Landlord tools · New Jersey

New Jersey residential lease agreement.

Everything a New Jersey lease must get right in 2026 — deposit limits, late fees, notice periods, and required disclosures — plus a free builder that applies each rule for you and outputs a signable PDF.

1.5 monthsSecurity deposit cap
30 daysDeposit return deadline
ReasonableEntry notice required
30 daysTo end month-to-month

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Security deposits in New Jersey

New Jersey caps security deposits at 1.5 months of rent. Annual top-ups capped at 10% of deposit After the tenancy ends, the deposit must be returned within 30 days. With interest and itemization; interest-bearing account required Returning one now? Use the free New Jersey deposit return letter generator — it computes the deadline and itemizes deductions for you.

Late fees and grace periods

New Jersey sets no statutory dollar cap on late fees, but courts require them to be reasonable and they must appear in the written lease. No grace period is required by statute, though many leases include one. No statutory cap; must be reasonable and in lease. 5-business-day grace only for seniors/disability-benefit recipients.

Landlord entry and notices

New Jersey has no fixed entry-notice statute — reasonable notice is the standard, and the lease should spell it out. No statute; regulations require reasonable notice, 24 hours customary. Ending a month-to-month tenancy takes 30 days' written notice (One month's notice, but Anti-Eviction Act requires good cause). Rent increases require 30 days' advance notice (One month notice to quit + new terms; increase must not be unconscionable). Planning an increase? The free New Jersey rent increase notice generator applies the notice period automatically.

Rent regulation

No state cap, but ~100 municipalities have local rent control ordinances

Required disclosures in a New Jersey lease

Clauses you can’t put in a New Jersey lease

Utilities and pets

Utilities: Lease should allocate utilities; landlord liable for shared/unmetered service disclosures. Pets: Pet deposits count toward the 1.5-month cap; seniors' housing pet rights protected.

Frequently asked questions

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in New Jersey?

New Jersey caps security deposits at 1.5 months of rent. Annual top-ups capped at 10% of deposit

How long does a New Jersey landlord have to return the deposit?

30 days after the tenancy ends. With interest and itemization; interest-bearing account required

Are late fees limited in New Jersey?

There's no statutory dollar cap, but fees must be reasonable and stated in the lease. No statutory cap; must be reasonable and in lease. 5-business-day grace only for seniors/disability-benefit recipients

How much notice before a landlord can enter the unit in New Jersey?

New Jersey has no fixed statutory period — reasonable notice applies. No statute; regulations require reasonable notice, 24 hours customary

Does New Jersey have rent control?

Yes. No state cap, but ~100 municipalities have local rent control ordinances

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Key statutes: N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.2 · N.J.S.A. 46:8-19 · N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1 · P.L.2023 c.93. Last reviewed 2026-07. This guide summarizes state law for convenience and is not legal advice; cities and counties may add their own rules.

Lease laws in other states