New Jersey Department of Community Affairs
Division of Codes and Standards
Landlord-Tenant Information Service
PUBLIC UTILITIES DISCONTINUANCE OF SERVICES
BULLETIN
Updated May 2010
This bulletin provides basic information about a tenant’s rights to public utility services during the heating
season and how to maintain those services when a landlord is responsible for paying for the services and
fails to do so. This bulletin is for informational purposes only and should not be used for legal
interpretations or legal advice. Please consult an attorney for legal services and advice when necessary.
DISCONTINUANCE OF SERVICE TO RESIDENTIAL TENANTS
Pursuant to State regulations, N.J.A.C. 14:3-3A.6, electric, gas, water and wastewater public utilities shall
make every reasonable attempt to determine when a landlord-tenant relationship exists at premises being
serviced. If a landlord-tenant relationship is known to exist, the utility company must give a 15-day written
notice to the owner of the premises or to the last person the utility bill was delivered, before discontinuing
service. In addition, the utility must provide the tenant with a 15-day written notice, which shall be hand
delivered, mailed, or posted in a conspicuous area of the premises and in the common areas of multiple
family premises. Each utility must offer the tenant continued service to be billed to the tenant unless such
billing is not possible. The continuation of service to a tenant shall not be conditioned on payment by the
tenant of any outstanding bills due on the account of any other person.