N.J. DCA Landlord/Tenant Information Series — Habitability Bulletin

Reporting housing code violations
All buildings with three or more rental units must comply with the regulations for the
Maintenance of Hotels and Multiple Dwellings and must be registered with the Bureau of
Housing Inspection. The Bureau of Housing Inspection is the enforcement agency for housing
code violations in buildings with three or more rental units. To file a complaint contact
the Bureau of Housing Inspection at (609) 633-6227 or BHIInspections@dca.nj.gov.
Multiple dwelling units are required to be inspected periodically. One and two unit buildings
do not fall under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Housing Inspection. One and two unit
buildings that are not owner-occupied must comply with any applicable local ordinances and
must register with the Clerk in the municipality in which the residential property is located. No
registration is required for owner occupied two family houses. When the heating equipment in
a residential unit fails and the landlord does not take appropriate action after receiving proper
notice from the tenant, the local board of health may act as agent for the landlord and order
the repairs to fix the equipment. Evictions cannot be filed unless the rental property is
registered.

NOTE: THE LOCAL HEALTH AGENCY IN YOUR MUNICIPALITY SHOULD BE
CALLED FOR LACK OF HEAT AND HOT WATER. LOCAL AGENCIES RESPONSIBLE
FOR HOUSING INSPECTIONS SHOULD BE CALLED FOR UNINHABITABLE
STRUCTURAL CONDITIONS.