SENATE COMMUNITY AND URBAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
STATEMENT TO
SENATE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR
SENATE, Nos. 3659 and 3276
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
DATED: SEPTEMBER 30, 2024
The Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee reports
favorably a Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bill Nos. 3659
and 3276.
This Senate Committee Substitute would prohibit a landlord, or a
landlord’s agent, from requiring an application or other similar fee to
apply to lease or sublease a residential rental property that exceeds
$50. The bill establishes a penalty for a landlord’s violation of the bill
of $1,500 for each offense, enforceable in an action brought by the
Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of
Law and Public Safety (director) or the Attorney General. The bill
requires $250 from the collected penalty to be remitted to the applicant
or prospective tenant. The bill also would exempt from the
requirements of the bill dwelling units located in a one-family or two-
family dwelling that are offered for rent.
This bill requires the director to adopt rules and regulations setting
forth a mechanism for applicants or prospective tenants to report
violations of the bill, which is required to be made available to tenants
or prospective applicants on the Internet website of the Division of
Consumer Affairs. This bill would take effect on the first day of the
fourth month next following enactment; the director, however, would
be permitted to take anticipatory action necessary to effectuate the
provisions of the bill.