Loading chat...
NJ S3995
Bill
Status
3/19/2026
Primary Sponsor
Angela Mcknight
Click for details
AI Summary
-
Allows residential tenants to deposit rent payments into a separate escrow account when a serious hazard affecting habitability persists after notifying the landlord and providing reasonable time for repairs
-
Defines "serious hazard affecting habitability" as deficiencies in vital facilities including mold, unsafe staircases, missing or nonfunctional locks, broken toilets, lack of hot or cold water, lack of electricity, or broken heating systems
-
Permits tenants to arrange for repairs themselves and deduct the cost from future rent payments, up to a maximum of four months' rent, when landlords fail to address habitability issues after written notice
-
Protects tenants from eviction for non-payment of rent when they utilize either the escrow account option or the repair-and-deduct provision for documented serious hazards
-
Takes effect on the first day of the first month following enactment
Legislative Description
Permits tenant to make rent payment into escrow account in event of persisting serious hazard in dwelling unit or to make repairs and deduct cost from future rent.
Community and Urban Affairs
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee
3/19/2026