Permits municipalities to adopt ordinances to enforce certain landlord code violations as tax liens.
The implications of AB 855 are significant as it modifies existing laws regarding landlord registration and liability. The bill mandates that landlords provide contact information, including email and phone numbers, for effective communication regarding any code enforcement issues. This change aims to enhance accountability and oversight while ensuring that municipalities have the tools necessary to manage housing standards effectively. The existing timeline for enforcement actions against landlords who fail to comply with housing codes has been shortened from 13 months to 6 months in instances where charges are against members of limited liability companies, thereby streamlining the process for local authorities.
Assembly Bill 855, pending review and approval, seeks to empower municipalities in New Jersey to enforce landlord code violations through tax liens. This legislation will allow local governments to establish ordinances that transform certain unpaid fees, fines, and penalties related to housing, building, and health codes into liens on the properties owned by the landlords. This action can occur if the unpaid charges remain unsettled for at least 13 months following their due date, thereby giving landlords a clear incentive to address code violations promptly to avoid further penalties and potential liens against their properties.
While proponents argue that AB 855 will bolster compliance with housing codes and improve living conditions for tenants by holding landlords accountable, there may be concerns about the operational burden on municipalities. Critics may raise questions about the fairness of converting unpaid fines into liens and the potential for this practice to disproportionately affect lower-income landlords. Moreover, the tiered approach to charges and enforcement could lead to complexity for landlords operating as LLCs, which might contend with varying obligations and scrutiny based on business structure, contributing to ongoing debates about equity and fairness in rental practices within the state.