NJ A4964

Establishes a new $150 fee for filing eviction actions in New Jersey, in addition to existing court fees, exempting this charge from the current $50 aggregate cap on court fee increases

Directs all revenue from the new eviction filing fee to the Office of Eviction Prevention within the Department of Community Affairs

Funds collected will support eviction prevention services including resource navigators, homelessness prevention, relocation assistance, rapid rehousing, social services, rental assistance, and legal services

Notes that New Jersey's current $50 eviction filing fee is below the national average of $109, and that low filing fees may incentivize landlords to use the court system as a rent collection tool rather than negotiating with tenants

Takes effect six months after enactment, with the Commissioner of Community Affairs authorized to immediately adopt implementing regulations