NJ A4873

Residential tenants who believe a rent increase is unconscionable may request written rationale from landlords within 10 days of receiving a rent increase notice, including data on landlord expenses, profitability, comparable rents in the area, and property conditions

If negotiations fail before a new lease term begins, tenants may file suit in Superior Court, where landlords bear the burden of proving the rent increase is not unconscionable

Courts must consider multiple factors when evaluating unconscionability, including Consumer Price Index changes, landlord finances, tenant circumstances, comparable area rents, bargaining positions, property conditions, and whether the increase would "shock the conscience"

If a court finds a rent increase unconscionable, the landlord must offer a 12-month lease at the previous rent plus CPI adjustment; landlords cannot pursue certain evictions while tenant challenges are pending in court

Appropriates $2 million to the Administrative Office of the Courts, split evenly between a public awareness campaign and mandatory judicial training on the new procedures