Renters would have increased safeguards against certain rent hikes under legislation advanced by the New Jersey General Assembly on Monday. Bill A3507, sponsored by Assembly members Yvonne Lopez, Cody Miller and Shanique Speight, would clarify and expand a list of factors used to determine unconscionable rent increases.
“If we want to make New Jersey more affordable, we need to ensure renters aren’t getting priced out of their homes. When rent increases dramatically without clear justification, it can destabilize families and entire communities,” said Assemblywoman Lopez (D-Middlesex). “This bill would help to make sure renters have protections in place and that the market operates in a way that works for everyone, not just those looking to make money.”
Among the strong tenant protections that New Jersey has on the books is a statutory limitation on “unconscionable rent increases.” Although in theory this protection should put a check on substantial rent increases, the standard for what qualifies as an unconscionable rent increase is largely undefined. This bill would codify the test for determining whether a rent increase is unconscionable.
“When we talk about affordability in New Jersey, housing often takes center stage,” said Assemblyman Miller (D-Atlantic, Camden, Gloucester). “We know that rent represents one of the largest expenditures for families across New Jersey. That’s why we’re focused on strengthening protections for tenants and driving down costs.”
In addition to evaluating rent increases, the bill would also include provisions to protect tenants’ privacy by limiting public access to outdated eviction records, particularly in cases where no judgment for possession was ever entered or where judgments are more than seven years old.
“When looking for a place to rent, no one likes to be tethered to an eviction that happened years ago, perhaps even during a different time in their lives,” said Assemblywoman Speight (D-Essex, Hudson). “By limiting public access to certain eviction records, we are giving renters a chance to make a fresh start and access to a place they can call their own.”