New Jersey Lease Agreement Template

Key Takeaways

• Personalization: Landlords can add specific details about themselves, tenants, the rental property, and lease terms during the lease creation process with TurboTenant for clarity and thoroughness.
• Additional Provisions: Landlords can include specific property rules or local clauses for greater customization and to address unique aspects of their property.
• Lost Key Policy: Tenants are responsible for the costs incurred from rekeying if they do not return all keys.
• Compliance with Local Law: The lease contains clauses that comply with New Jersey law. Landlords are allowed to make changes using the Advanced Editor but are advised to consult an attorney to ensure compliance.
• Late Fees: Specifics are provided on when rent is due and the consequences of late payments, including late fees.
• Security Deposit Provisions: Details on the limit of the security deposit and regulations for any increases, as well as the requirement to provide bank details where the deposit is held.
• Occupancy Limits and Guests: The lease specifies who can reside on the premises and puts restrictions on guest stays.
• New Jersey Required Disclosures: Landlords must include disclosures about criminal insurance availability, window guards for child safety, Truth in Renting information for certain units, and if the property is in a flood zone.

The lease agreement is designed to be clear, thorough, and compliant with local laws, offering landlords the flexibility to customize as needed while also providing tenants with a clear understanding of their responsibilities.

Custom Lease

Landlords can personalize the lease with details about you, your tenants, the rental property, and lease specifics. This information is added during the lease creation process with TurboTenant, resulting in a lease that is both clear to understand and thorough. You’ll find a summary table at the beginning of the lease for quick reference, and further stipulations such as policies on smoking, utilities, and key management are elaborated upon.

• Additional Provisions: This subsection allows landlords to introduce specific property rules or local clauses, offering customization and flexibility.
• Lost Key Policy: Tenants are responsible for the cost of rekeying if they fail to return all keys upon moving out.

State-Specific Clauses

Our Advanced Editor allows changes to be made with full disclosure that any edits may take you out of full compliance with state and/or local law and consultation with an attorney is advised. Key clauses include:

• Late Fees (Section 2.1): Rent is due by 5:00 pm on the 1st of every month. Tenants who fail to pay within 5 business days may incur a late fee of 5% of the unpaid rent amount.
• Security Deposit Provisions (Section 2.4): The security deposit cannot exceed 1.5 times the monthly rent, and any subsequent increases are capped annually. Landlords must provide written notification of the bank holding the deposit, its account type, and current interest rate.
• Occupancy Limits and Guests (Section 2.5): Only tenants and certain occupants may reside on the premises, with restrictions on the duration of guest stays.

• New Jersey required disclosures include:
  • Information on the availability of criminal insurance;
  • Window guards for child safety;
  • Truth in Renting information for premises with 2 or more units
  • Flood Zone

Counties & Local Regulations

Here is a list of some counties in New Jersey, highlighting unique clauses that may be present due to local regulations:

Bergen County

• Local regulations in Hackensack may require additional lease disclosures on property conditions.
• Tenant rights ordinances that exceed state requirements.

Middlesex County

• New Brunswick’s housing codes that could influence lease terms related to safety and habitability.
• Specific clauses for rental property inspections and maintenance.

Essex County

• Newark’s rent control ordinances necessitating specific lease clauses.
• Regulations on security deposit amounts and interest.

Hudson County

• Jersey City’s unique requirements for rental permits and tenant protections.
• Clauses addressing rent increase limitations and notices.

Monmouth County

• Asbury Park’s ordinances on seasonal rental properties and tenant rights.
• Regulations for property upkeep and noise control.

Ocean County

• Toms River’s local codes affecting lease terms, especially for properties in flood zones.
• Clauses for maintenance standards and tenant evacuations.

Union County

• Elizabeth’s rental property licensing and inspection requirements.
• Specific lease provisions for security deposits and eviction notices.

Camden County

• Camden’s housing authority rules which may impact leasing agreements.
• Clauses for tenant security and property conditions.

Passaic County

• Paterson’s requirements for landlord registration and disclosure.
• Lease clauses for habitability standards and tenant protections.

Morris County

• Morristown’s local ordinances on rental property upkeep and tenant safety.
• Clauses related to energy efficiency and environmental compliance.

Landlords in New Jersey should be attentive to both state laws and the local ordinances within their respective counties, which could necessitate additional or specific clauses in lease agreements. Consulting with a legal professional familiar with New Jersey’s landlord-tenant regulations is crucial for ensuring that lease agreements are thorough and compliant.

General Clauses

The final section includes clauses that are generally accepted in most lease agreements across the United States:

• Subletting (Section 3.1): Tenants are prohibited from subletting without the landlord’s written consent.
• Property Alterations (Section 3.2): Any changes to the property must be approved in writing by the landlord.
• Follow the Law (Section 3.14): Tenants must adhere to all applicable laws and avoid causing disturbances.

FAQ