A proceeding by a public officer, tenant, or tenants of a dwelling for a judgment directing the
deposit of rents into court and their use for the purpose of remedying conditions in substantial
violation of the standards of fitness for human habitation established under the State or local
housing codes or regulations or a proceeding by a public officer, a tenant whose utility service
has been diverted or a utility company for a judgment directing the deposit of rents into court and
their use for correcting any wrongful diversion of utility service in a dwelling may be maintained
in a court of competent jurisdiction. The place of trial of the proceeding shall be within the
county in which the real property or a portion thereof from which the rents issue is situated. In
cases involving real property located in municipalities in counties of the first class that have
established full-time municipal housing courts, the proceedings may be brought in the municipal
housing court of the municipality in which the property is located.
L. 1971, c. 224, s. 3, eff. June 21, 1971. Amended by L. 1983, c. 207, s. 3, eff. June 10, 1983; L. 1985, c. 411, s. 3, eff. Jan. 13, 1986; L. 1986, c.
125, s. 4, eff. Oct. 9, 1986.
2A:42-88. Grounds for action
a. The public officer or any tenant occupying a dwelling may maintain a proceeding as
provided in this act, upon the grounds that there exists in such dwellings or in housing space
thereof a lack of heat or of running water or of light or of electricity or of adequate sewage
disposal facilities, or any other condition or conditions in substantial violation of the standards of
fitness for human habitation established under the State or local housing or health codes or
regulations or any other condition dangerous to life, health or safety.