N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:18-51 et seq. § 2A:18-61.55
Tenant waivers, unenforceable
Operative Text
16. Any agreement whereby the tenant waives any rights under this act shall be deemed to be against public policy and unenforceable. L.1991,c.509,s.16.
Under N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.55, any contractual clause or agreement in which a tenant gives up rights granted by this act is considered contrary to public policy and carries no legal force. This means that even if a tenant signs a document purporting to waive those protections, that waiver cannot be enforced against them. The rule applies regardless of whether the waiver appears in a lease, a side agreement, or any other written or oral arrangement.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.55 should be aware that lease clauses or separate agreements designed to have tenants surrender statutory rights under this act are void and unenforceable as a matter of New Jersey public policy. Compliant operators generally avoid drafting or presenting any such waiver language, since including it in a lease does not create a binding obligation on the tenant and may raise questions about the overall lease. Reviewing lease templates with qualified legal counsel to ensure no provisions run afoul of this section is a common practice among well-managed properties.
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:18-61.55 establishes that any agreement asking you to give up rights under this act is unenforceable, meaning a landlord cannot rely on such a clause to strip away your statutory protections. If a lease or other document you signed contains a waiver of these rights, that clause is generally treated as void under New Jersey law. Tenants who believe a landlord is attempting to enforce such a waiver may consider consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office familiar with New Jersey housing law for general information about available options.
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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