New Jersey has many rules and statutes regulating its housing market. These must be fully considered when preparing an application for rental properties in the state.
Application Fee
In New Jersey, application fees are capped at $50 per applicant as of May 1, 2026 (P.L.2025, c.405). This fee must cover all screening and processing costs, and any amount charged is non-refundable.
Security Deposit
Landlords cannot charge more than one and a half months' rent as a security deposit for an unfurnished apartment under NJ law (Rent Security Deposit Act, N.J.S.A. 46:8-19). Once the security deposit has been paid, the landlord must deposit it into an interest-bearing bank account.
Housing Discrimination Law
New Jersey is governed by the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) and the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA). These laws make it illegal to discriminate based on characteristics such as:
- Race
- Color
- Nationality
- Religion
- Sex
- Familial status
- Disability
Under the Fair Chance in Housing Act (FCHA), landlords are generally prohibited from asking about criminal history on an initial application. Such inquiries may only be made after a conditional offer has been extended.
Notice of Eligibility
Potential tenants must be informed about the screening criteria and reasons for denial or approval. To prove that these facts were shared, a signature of acknowledgment must be provided within the application or alongside it.
Consent Credit Check
Within New Jersey, federal law requires potential renters to provide written consent for a credit history check during the application process. This is known as the Federal Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).