N.J. Stat. Ann. § 46:8-1 et seq. § 46:8-2
Grantees or assignees of leased real estate or reversions thereof; rights same as those of original lessors
Operative Text
From and after November tenth, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-seven, all persons and bodies politic and corporate, being grantees or assignees of any real estate, let to lease, or of the reversions thereof from any person, and the heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns of such grantees or assignees, shall have and enjoy the like advantages against the lessees, their executors, administrators and assigns, by entry for nonpayment of rent, or for waste, or other forfeitures; and also shall have and enjoy all the covenants, conditions and agreements contained in their leases, demises or grants, against the lessees, their executors, administrators and assigns, as the lessors themselves, or their heirs, ought or might have had or enjoyed at any time.
Under N.J.S.A. 46:8-1 et seq. § 46:8-2, when real estate subject to a lease is sold or transferred, the new owner steps into the legal shoes of the original landlord. This means the new owner inherits the right to enforce lease terms, collect rent, and pursue remedies for nonpayment, waste, or other lease violations. The rule ensures that a change in property ownership does not extinguish the rights and obligations that existed under the original lease.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners or managers who acquire leased real estate through purchase or assignment should be aware that N.J.S.A. 46:8-1 et seq. § 46:8-2 grants them the same enforcement rights the original landlord held. Compliant operators typically document the transfer of ownership, notify existing tenants of the change, and maintain records of all lease covenants and conditions that carry over. This allows them to enforce rent collection, address waste, and act on other lease provisions just as the original lessor could have.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under N.J.S.A. 46:8-1 et seq. § 46:8-2, tenants should understand that when a property changes hands, the new owner is bound by the same lease terms that existed with the original landlord — and tenants retain the same rights and obligations they had before the transfer. If a new owner attempts to enforce terms beyond what the original lease allowed, or fails to honor existing lease conditions, tenants may have grounds to raise that as a defense or file a complaint with a local rent board where one exists. Tenant-rights organizations in New Jersey can help explain how this provision applies to a particular lease situation.
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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