NJ A1703

Landlord-tenant court records remain confidential for the first 60 days after filing and permanently confidential if the case does not result in a judgment for possession against the tenant

Records only become public if the landlord wins an unconditional judgment for possession, and remain confidential during any appeals until the landlord ultimately prevails

Tenants may request purging of court records for judgments against them that are more than three years old

Landlords are prohibited from considering landlord-tenant actions that did not result in a judgment for possession, or any judgment for possession that occurred more than three years before a rental application

Landlords must provide written adverse action notices to rejected applicants explaining the reasons for denial, disclosing all screening information accessed, and attaching any screening reports used

Violations carry penalties of at least $1,000 for a first offense and at least $5,000 for subsequent offenses, plus attorney fees