N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:18-51 et seq. § 2A:18-61.24
Definitions
Operative Text
As used in this amendatory and supplementary act: a. "Senior citizen tenant" means a person who is at least 62 years of age on the date of the conversion recording for the building or structure in which is located the dwelling unit of which he is a tenant, or the surviving spouse of such a person if the person should die after the owner files the conversion recording and the surviving spouse is at least 50 years of age at the time of the filing; provided that the building or structure has been the principal residence of the senior citizen tenant or the spouse for at least one year immediately preceding the conversion recording or the death or that the building or structure is the principal residence of the senior citizen tenant or the spouse under the terms of a lease for a period of more than one year, as the case may be; b. "Disabled tenant" means a person who is, on the date of the conversion recording for the building or structure in which is located the dwelling unit of which he is a tenant, totally and permanently unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment, including blindness, or a person who has been honorably discharged or released under honorable circumstances from active service in any branch of the United States Armed Forces and who is rated as having a 60% disability or higher as a result of that service pursuant to any federal law administered by the United States Veterans' Act; provided that the building or structure has been the principal residence of the disabled tenant for at least one year immediately preceding the conversion recording or that the building or structure is the principal residence of the disabled tenant under the terms of a lease for a period of more than one year. For the purposes of this subsection, "blindness" means central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye with the use of correcting lens. An eye which is accompanied by a limitation in the fields of vision such that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends an angle no greater than 20 degrees shall be considered as having a central visual acuity of 20/200 or less; c. "Tenant's annual household income" means the total income from all sources during the last full calendar year for all members of the household who reside in the dwelling unit at the time the tenant applies for protected tenant status, whether or not such income is subject to taxation by any taxing authority; d. "Application for registration of conversion" means an application for registration filed with the Department of Community Affairs in accordance with "The Planned Real Estate Development Full Disclosure Act," P.L.1977, c.419 (C.45:22A-21 et seq.); e. "Registration of conversion" means an approval of an application for registration by the Department of Community Affairs in accordance with "The Planned Real Estate Development Full Disclosure Act," P.L.1977, c.419 (C.45:22A-21 et seq.); f. "Convert" means to convert one or more buildings or structures or a mobile home park containing in the aggregate not less than five dwelling units or mobile home sites or pads from residential rental use to condominium, cooperative, planned residential development or separable fee simple ownership of the dwelling units or of the mobile home sites or pads; g. "Conversion recording" means the recording with the appropriate county officer of a master deed for condominium or a deed to a cooperative corporation for a cooperative or the first deed of sale to a purchaser of an individual unit for a planned residential development or separable fee simple ownership of the dwelling units; h. "Protected tenancy period" means, except as otherwise provided in section 11 of this amendatory and supplementary act, the 40 years following the conversion recording for the building or structure in which is located the dwelling unit of the senior citizen tenant or disabled tenant. L.1981,c.226,s.3; amended 1981, c.445, s.1; 1983,c.389,s.1; 1990,c.110,s.1; 1990,c.111,s.1.
N.J.S.A. 2A:18-51 et seq. § 2A:18-61.24 establishes the core definitions that govern New Jersey's protections for certain tenants when a residential rental building is converted to condominium, cooperative, or similar ownership. The provision sets out who qualifies as a 'senior citizen tenant' (generally age 62 or older at the time of conversion recording, with a principal-residence requirement) and a 'disabled tenant' (meeting specific medical or veterans' disability criteria), as well as how household income is calculated for protected-status purposes. It also defines the procedural milestones—such as 'conversion recording' and 'application for registration of conversion'—and establishes that the 'protected tenancy period' generally runs for 40 years following the conversion recording.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers planning a residential-to-condominium or cooperative conversion in New Jersey should be familiar with the definitions in N.J.S.A. 2A:18-51 et seq. § 2A:18-61.24, because these terms determine which tenants may qualify for protected status and for how long. Compliant operators typically identify whether any current tenants meet the age, disability, residency, and income criteria defined in this section before and during the conversion process. Understanding when the 'conversion recording' occurs is particularly important, since that date triggers the eligibility determinations and starts the 40-year protected tenancy clock.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.J.S.A. 2A:18-51 et seq. § 2A:18-61.24 defines the categories of tenants—senior citizens and disabled individuals—who may be entitled to remain in their units for up to 40 years after a building is converted from rental to condominium or cooperative ownership. Tenants who believe they meet the age, disability, or residency criteria described in this section may have grounds to apply for protected tenant status, which can be a significant defense against displacement. Tenants seeking to understand whether they qualify are generally encouraged to contact a local tenant-rights organization or the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs for guidance on the application process.
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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