NJ S3865

Prohibits landlords from performing hard credit inquiries on affordable housing applicants, including those with tenant-based housing subsidies or applying for units restricted to low- or moderate-income households

Allows landlords to conduct soft credit inquiries on affordable housing applicants, which do not impact credit scores and remain on reports for no more than 30 days

Establishes penalties for violations: up to $100 for the first offense, an additional $100 for a second violation within one year, and an additional $200 for each subsequent violation within one year

Requires consumer reporting agencies to consolidate multiple hard credit inquiries for rental housing applications made on the same individual within a one-month period into a single inquiry

Directs the Division of Housing and Community Resources to publish information on its website about tenant rights and the impact of hard versus soft credit inquiries