New Jersey Department of Community Affairs
Division of Codes and Standards
Landlord-Tenant Information Service
RENT RECEIVERSHIP
N.J.S.A. 2A:42-85 through 2A:42-96
Printed February 2008
2A:42-85. Findings
The Legislature finds:
a. Many citizens of the State of New Jersey are required to reside in dwelling units which fail
to meet minimum standards of safety and sanitation;
b. It is essential to the health, safety and general welfare of the people of the State that owners
of substandard dwelling units be encouraged to provide safe and sanitary housing
accommodations for the public to whom such accommodations are offered;
c. It is necessary, in order to insure the improvement of substandard dwelling units, to
authorize the tenants dwelling therein to deposit their rents with a court appointed administrator
until such dwelling units satisfy minimum standards of safety and sanitation;
d. It is necessary to establish an efficient procedure whereby public officers, tenants and
utility companies may act to stop and prevent wrongful diversion of utility services and thereby
protect both the utility companies and their customers from fraud.
L. 1971, c. 224, s. 1, eff. June 21, 1971. Amended by L. 1985, c. 411, s. 1, eff. Jan. 13, 1986.
2A:42-86. Definitions
The following terms whenever used or referred to in this act shall have the following
respective meanings, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context.
a. "Public officer" shall mean the officer, officers, board or body who is or are authorized by
the governing body of a municipality to supervise the physical condition of dwellings within
such municipality pursuant to this act.