NJ A152

Municipalities may adopt ordinances authorizing fines for illegal occupancy resulting in overcrowding in residential rental buildings with four or fewer units, with penalties up to $2,500 for first violations, $5,000 for second violations, and $10,000 for subsequent violations

Fines may be imposed on landlords, tenants, or both, depending on who was primarily responsible for the overcrowding, with tenants deemed responsible only if they signed a lease specifying occupancy limits and added occupants without landlord consent

Landlords must receive a notice of violation with time to correct the issue before summonses are issued, and landlords who file a "notice to cease" with an affidavit of good faith are protected from summonses for six months while pursuing eviction

Tenants whose own conduct caused overcrowding are not entitled to relocation assistance (typically six times monthly rent) that would otherwise be required when tenants are displaced due to illegal occupancy violations

Owner-occupied properties are exempt from the additional fines unless the owner is illegally renting rooms or apartments, and seasonal rental units (125 consecutive days or less) are also exempt