New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

New Jersey Assembly Bill A2339

Introduced

2/7/22

Refer

2/7/22

Caption

Establishes confidentiality of court records of landlord-tenant disputes after five years.

Impact

This bill will modify existing state laws regarding the public accessibility of landlord-tenant court records, which previously could remain open and public indefinitely. By ensuring that these records are sealed after six years, the legislation seeks to shield tenants from the potential fallout of having eviction proceedings reflected in public records. This change aims to foster a more equitable housing market by reducing the long-term consequences of past disputes on renters' futures.

Summary

Assembly Bill A2339 aims to establish confidentiality standards for court records related to landlord-tenant disputes, specifically focusing on eviction actions or recovery of unpaid rent. The bill proposes that such records become confidential and unavailable to the public after five years from the initiation of the action. The intention is to protect tenants' privacy by prohibiting the public access to records that could negatively impact their future housing applications once the six-year period is reached. The bill also allows for the continued use of non-identifiable demographic statistics on eviction trends for research and policy purposes.

Contention

Despite its intentions, the bill may spark debate regarding the balance between tenant privacy and the need for transparency in court records. Proponents argue that sealing eviction records protects tenants from discrimination and stigma, while opponents may voice concerns about the implications for landlords and the overall housing market transparency. Some may argue that withholding access to these court records could hinder landlords' ability to make informed decisions about prospective tenants, thus complicating the housing rental process.