N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:18-51 et seq. § 2A:18-61.35
Fee
Operative Text
A municipality is authorized to charge an owner a fee which may vary according to the size of the building to cover the cost of providing the services required by this amendatory and supplementary act. L.1981, c. 226, s. 16, eff. July 27, 1981.
Under N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.35, New Jersey municipalities are permitted—but not required—to impose a fee on residential building owners to recover the costs of administering tenant-protection services mandated by the state's eviction and displacement statutes. The fee may be scaled based on building size, meaning larger properties may be charged more than smaller ones. This provision gives local governments a funding mechanism tied directly to the services they must provide under the broader act.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.35, a compliant property owner accounts for any locally imposed administrative fee as part of operating costs, recognizing that the amount may differ depending on the number of units in the building. Operators generally check with their municipality to determine whether such a fee has been adopted, its current rate, and the applicable payment schedule. Keeping records of fee payments helps demonstrate compliance if questions arise during a tenancy dispute or municipal inspection.
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:18-61.35 authorizes municipalities to charge landlords—not tenants—a fee to fund the services the state's tenant-protection laws require local governments to provide. Tenants who believe a landlord is improperly passing this fee through as an unauthorized rent charge may wish to contact their local rent control or housing office, or reach out to a tenant-rights organization familiar with New Jersey law. Understanding how municipal fees are structured can also provide useful context when reviewing a lease or disputing unexplained charges.
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 14, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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