Termination of Lease Due to Domestic Violence
If a tenant terminates the lease agreement prior to the expiration of the lease pursuant to
the Safe Housing Act, N.J.S.A. 46:8-9.6, because by continuing to live at the rental unit,
the tenant or the tenant’s child faces an imminent threat of serious physical harm from
another named person, the tenant is entitled to the return of his or her security deposit.
Within 15 business days after the lease is terminated, the landlord shall make available
the return of the tenant’s security deposit, plus any interest earned, to the tenant or the
tenant’s agent. In addition within three business days after the lease is terminated, the
landlord must notify the tenant in writing of when and where the tenant can pick up the
security deposit. If the last known address for the tenant is at the property where the
tenant no longer resides, the landlord shall post notices at each exterior entrance of the
property. If the tenant does not collect the security deposit within 30 days, it shall be
redeposited or reinvested by the landlord in the same bank from which it was withdrawn.
Displacement Due to Fire, Flood, Condemnation or Evacuation
Within five (5) business days after a tenant is caused to be displaced due to: fire, flood,
condemnation or evacuation; an authorized public official posts the premises with a
notice prohibiting occupancy; or any building inspector has certified within 48 hours that
the displacement is expected to continue longer than seven days and has notified the
owner or lessee in writing, the landlord shall return to the tenant upon his request his
security deposit and the tenant’s portion of interest, less any administrative fees,
accompanied by an itemized statement of the interest, earnings and deductions.