NJ S402

Landlord-tenant court records would remain confidential for the first 60 days after filing and permanently sealed unless the case results in an unconditional judgment for possession in favor of the landlord.

Landlords would be prohibited from considering eviction filings that did not result in actual displacement, were dismissed or reversed, or occurred more than three years prior to the rental application.

Court records of all eviction and ejectment actions would be automatically expunged three years after the date of judgment.

Landlords must provide prospective tenants with written screening criteria at application and deliver a detailed adverse action notice explaining any rejection, including copies of any screening reports used.

Violations would result in penalties of at least $1,000 for first offenses and $5,000 for subsequent offenses, with tenants able to sue for treble damages or $5,000, whichever is greater, plus attorney's fees; improperly sharing sealed court records would constitute a fourth-degree crime.