New Jersey Security Deposit Laws
Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed May 31, 2019
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States have laws that outline the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants. These laws govern things like when a landlord can raise rent and end a tenancy, as well as when they can keep a tenant's security deposit. When it comes to security deposits, states - including New Jersey - also have laws that set deadlines for returning security deposits as well as limits as to what a landlord can require as a security deposit.
New Jersey Security Deposit Laws at a Glance
Reading the actual text of a law is an important step in legal research, but it can be very helpful to also read an overview of laws since statutes aren't always written for ease of understanding. In the following chart, you'll find an overview of security deposit laws with links to relevant statutes.
| Statute(s) | New Jersey Statutes, Title 46, Subtitle 2, Chapter 8, Section 46:8-19, et seq. (Security Deposits) |
| Security Deposit Limits | The security deposit can't be more than one and a half month's rent. If a landlord raises the rent, they can also raise the security deposit, but it can't be more than a 10% increase (in any given year). |
| Return of the Security Deposit by Landlord | The timeline for when a landlord must return the security deposit depends on the circumstances:
|
Deduction from Security Deposit |
A landlord in New Jersey is permitted to keep all or some of the security deposit for:
If the landlord keeps part or all of the security deposit, they must send an itemized list of the deductions within 30 days of the tenant moving out. |
Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
New Jersey Security Deposit Laws: Related Resources
If you'd like additional information and resources related to this topic, please visit the links provided below.
- New Jersey Tenant Rights Laws
- New Jersey Leases and Rental Agreement Laws
- New Jersey Property and Real Estate Laws
- Landlord-Tenant Law
Learn More About New Jersey Security Deposit Laws: Talk to an Attorney
Tenants and landlords each have a variety of rights and responsibilities under landlord-tenant laws. If you have questions about New Jersey security deposit laws, or feel your rights as a tenant or a landlord have been violated, it's a good idea to speak with a local landlord-tenant attorney who can answer your questions and lay out your legal options moving forward.
Next Steps: Search for a Local Attorney
Contact a qualified attorney.