N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:33-1 et seq. § 2A:33-12
Selection of articles to be exempted; when by appraisers
Operative Text
From the inventory of the property appraised, the tenant, or in his absence, his agent, attorney, or member of his family, may select articles, the value of which, according to the appraisement, shall not exceed $500. If the tenant, or member of his family, his agent or attorney, cannot readily be found, the selection may be made by the appraisers to be reserved for the family's use.
Under N.J.S.A. 2A:33-1 et seq. § 2A:33-12, when a tenant's property is subject to a distress or levy proceeding, a portion of that property—up to $500 in appraised value—is shielded from seizure for the family's use. The tenant, or in their absence a designated representative such as an agent, attorney, or family member, chooses which specific items are set aside. If no such person can readily be found, the appraisers themselves are authorized to make that selection on the family's behalf.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners or managers involved in a distress proceeding governed by N.J.S.A. 2A:33-1 et seq. § 2A:33-12 should be aware that the law carves out up to $500 worth of appraised goods that cannot be taken from the tenant's household. Compliant operators conducting or overseeing such proceedings generally ensure that the appraisal process allows adequate opportunity for the tenant or their representative to make the exempt selection before any property is removed. When no tenant representative is available, the appraisers are expected to fulfill that selection role, and operators typically document that this step was properly completed.
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:33-1 et seq. § 2A:33-12 gives tenants facing a distress or levy action the right to identify and protect up to $500 worth of their appraised belongings for their family's continued use. If a tenant cannot be present, a family member, agent, or attorney may exercise that selection right on their behalf. Tenants who believe this exemption was not honored during a proceeding may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider to understand what remedies or defenses may be available.
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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