N.J. DCA Landlord/Tenant Information Series — (English)

Citation
N.J. DCA Landlord/Tenant Information Series — (English)
Jurisdiction
New Jersey (state)
Source
Official source
Original Source
https://www.nj.gov/dca/codes/publications/pdf_lti/t_i_r.pdf ↗

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interest, as required, the tenant must give the landlord written notice and allow the landlord 30
days to comply with the annual interest payment and notice requirements. If the landlord does not
reply within the allotted time, the tenant can use his security deposit toward his rent. If the tenant’s
security deposit gets applied to his rent, the landlord may not make further demand for an
additional security deposit (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19.1 (c)).
Within 30 days after the termination of a tenancy, a landlord must return the security
deposit, plus interest earned less deductions, to the tenant (N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1). Deductions may
include the cost of any damages over and above normal wear and tear, and any other money due
the landlord under the terms of the lease. The landlord must return the money either by personal
delivery, registered, or certified mail. If there are any deductions made from the security deposit
by the landlord, an itemized list of these deductions must also be sent to the tenant by registered
or certified mail within 30 days from the termination of the tenancy. If the amount of money owed
to the landlord for damages or unpaid rent is greater than the amount of the security deposit, the
landlord may sue for the difference. No deductions shall be made from a security deposit of a
tenant who remains in possession of the rental premises.
If a landlord fails to return the security deposit within 30 days, or the tenant disagrees with
the amount deducted, the tenant may sue for double the amount of the security deposit that the
tenant contends was wrongfully withheld. If the tenant is successful, the court may award the
tenant double the amount wrongly withheld, together with court costs and reasonable attorney’s
fees (N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1). However, if the