N.J. Stat. Ann. § 46:8-1 et seq. § 46:8-31
Service by mail upon record owner
Operative Text
5. In any action in the Superior Court, Law Division, Special Civil Part or municipal court by an occupant or tenant or to recover penalties against a landlord who has not complied with this act and who cannot be served within the county or municipality, the summons and complaint may be served by certified and regular mail upon the record owner at the last address listed in the tax records of either the municipality or county. Service of such summons and complaint by certified and regular mail shall be effective to bring the landlord before the Superior Court, Law Division, Special Civil Part or municipal court even if it were not served within the county or municipality in which the court issuing the summons is located. L.1974,c.50,s.5; amended 1981,c.299,s.3; 1991,c.91,s.455.
Under N.J.S.A. 46:8-1 et seq. § 46:8-31, when a landlord cannot be personally served with legal process within the relevant county or municipality, courts are authorized to treat service by certified and regular mail to the address on file in local tax records as legally sufficient. This rule applies in Superior Court, Law Division, Special Civil Part, and municipal court proceedings. It ensures that a landlord's physical absence from the jurisdiction does not automatically shield them from being brought before the court.
Plain English — not legal advice.
N.J.S.A. 46:8-1 et seq. § 46:8-31 establishes that a landlord's address as recorded in municipal or county tax records serves as the official address for legal service when in-person service within the jurisdiction is not possible. Compliant property owners and managers generally keep their contact and ownership information current in local tax records, since that address is the one courts will use to deliver summonses and complaints by certified and regular mail. Outdated or incorrect tax-record addresses do not prevent a court from exercising jurisdiction over the landlord once mail service is completed under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.J.S.A. 46:8-1 et seq. § 46:8-31 provides tenants and occupants with a procedural tool when a landlord is difficult to locate for in-person service — courts can authorize service by certified and regular mail to the landlord's address in the tax records, and that service is legally effective. This means a landlord's absence from the county or municipality generally cannot be used to stall or avoid court proceedings brought to recover penalties or enforce tenant rights. Tenants seeking to use this mechanism may benefit from consulting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand how to initiate or support such a court action.
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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