N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:18-51 et seq. § 2A:18-80
Deductions from sale proceeds
Operative Text
11. A landlord may deduct from the proceeds of any sale the reasonable costs of notice, storage and sale and any unpaid rent and charges not covered by a security deposit. After deducting these amounts, the landlord shall remit to the tenant the remaining proceeds, if any, together with an itemized accounting. If the tenant, after due diligence, cannot be found the remaining proceeds shall be deposited into the Superior Court and, if not claimed within 10 years, shall escheat to the State. L.1999,c.340,s.11.
Under N.J.S.A. 2A:18-51 et seq. § 2A:18-80, when a landlord sells a tenant's stored property, the law permits certain deductions from the sale proceeds—specifically, reasonable costs of notice, storage, and the sale itself, as well as any unpaid rent or charges not already covered by a security deposit. Whatever remains after those deductions must be returned to the tenant along with an itemized accounting of how the proceeds were applied. If the tenant cannot be located after a diligent search, the remaining funds must be deposited with the Superior Court and, if unclaimed for ten years, will escheat to the State of New Jersey.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Landlords operating under N.J.S.A. 2A:18-51 et seq. § 2A:18-80 generally maintain clear, itemized records of every cost associated with noticing, storing, and selling a tenant's property so that allowable deductions can be documented and justified. Compliant operators remit any remaining proceeds to the former tenant promptly, accompanied by a written itemized accounting that shows exactly what was deducted and why. When a tenant cannot be located despite reasonable efforts, operators deposit the remaining funds with the Superior Court rather than retaining them, preserving a proper paper trail of those diligence efforts.
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:18-80 gives tenants the right to receive any leftover proceeds from the sale of their stored property, along with an itemized accounting showing what the landlord deducted and for what purpose. If a landlord fails to provide this accounting or retains proceeds beyond what the statute permits, tenants may have grounds to raise that failure as a legal claim or defense in court. Tenants who believe their rights under this provision have been violated can consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand the options available to them.
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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