N.J. Stat. Ann. § 10:5-1 et seq. § 10:5-4
Obtaining employment and privileges without discrimination; civil right
Operative Text
4. All persons shall have the opportunity to obtain employment and to obtain all the accommodations, advantages, facilities, and privileges of any place of public accommodation, publicly assisted housing accommodation, and other real property without discrimination because of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, familial status, disability, service in the Armed Forces of the United States or liability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States, nationality, sex, gender identity or expression, or source of lawful income used for rental or mortgage payments, subject only to conditions and limitations applicable alike to all persons and subject to the provisions of P.L.1945, c.169 (C.10:5-1 et seq.). This opportunity is recognized as and declared to be a civil right. L.1945, c.169, s.4; amended 1949, c.11, s.2; 1957, c.66, s.1; 1961, c.106, s.1; 1962, c.37, ss.3,9; 1970, c.80, s.9; 1991, c.519, s.2; 1992, c.146, s.2; 2002, c.82, s.1; 2003, c.180, s.4; 2006, c.100, s.3; 2017, c.184, s.1; 2025, c.307, s.2.
N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 et seq. § 10:5-4 establishes that every person has a civil right to access housing accommodations and related privileges free from discrimination on the basis of a broad list of characteristics, including race, national origin, disability, familial status, gender identity or expression, and source of lawful income used for rent or mortgage payments. The provision applies to publicly assisted housing as well as other real property, and it limits any conditions or restrictions to those that apply equally to all persons. This protection is not merely a policy goal — the statute expressly declares it to be a civil right under New Jersey law.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under New Jersey law are expected to apply the same conditions, screening criteria, and privileges to all applicants and tenants, without regard to any of the characteristics enumerated in N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 et seq. § 10:5-4, including source of lawful income used for rental payments. Compliant operators generally maintain consistent written policies, apply uniform standards across all applicants, and ensure that advertising, lease terms, and access to amenities do not vary based on protected characteristics. Familiarity with the full list of protected classes under § 10:5-4 — which has been expanded several times, most recently in 2025 — is a routine part of fair housing compliance in New Jersey.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 et seq. § 10:5-4 recognizes access to housing free from discrimination as a civil right in New Jersey, covering a wide range of protected characteristics including disability, familial status, gender identity or expression, and source of lawful income. Tenants or applicants who believe they have experienced discriminatory treatment in housing may have the option of filing a complaint with the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights, raising the violation as a defense in a housing proceeding, or consulting a tenant-rights organization familiar with the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination. Multiple enforcement paths exist, and tenant-rights groups can help individuals understand which options may be available given their circumstances.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 6, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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