N.J. Stat. Ann. § 55:13A-1 et seq. § 55:13A-18
Aggrieved persons; hearing; notice
Operative Text
Any person aggrieved by any ruling, action, order, or notice of the commissioner pursuant to this act, except any order or notice issued by the commissioner pursuant to sections 12(d), 15(e) and 17 of this act shall be entitled to a hearing before the commissioner. The application for such hearing must be filed with the commissioner within 15 days of the receipt by the applicant thereof of notice of the ruling, action, order or notice complained of. No such hearing shall be held except upon 15 days' written notice to all interested parties, and each such hearing shall be held within 30 days of the receipt of the application therefor. When a hearing officer is designated by the commissioner to conduct hearings, said hearing officer shall issue a recommended report and decision within 30 days after the completion of any hearing, a copy of which shall be filed with the commissioner and mailed to all parties of record. Each party of record shall be afforded 15 days in which to file exceptions, objections, and replies thereto, and to present argument to the commissioner. Within 15 days thereafter, the commissioner shall issue an order which adopts, rejects, or modifies the recommended report and decision, a copy of which shall be served on all parties of record. Pending the determination of the commissioner, and upon application therefor, the commissioner may grant a stay of the ruling, action, order, or notice complained of; provided, that no such stay shall be granted except upon such terms and conditions as will adequately protect the occupants or intended occupants of the hotel or multiple dwelling involved, or the public generally. L.1967, c. 76, s. 18, eff. May 31, 1967. Amended by L.1970, c. 138, s. 10.
Under N.J.S.A. 55:13A-18, any person who believes they have been harmed by a ruling, action, order, or notice issued by the New Jersey housing commissioner (with certain exceptions for orders under sections 12(d), 15(e), and 17) has the right to request a formal hearing before the commissioner. The application for that hearing must be submitted within 15 days of receiving the disputed action, and the hearing itself must be held within 30 days of that application. The provision also establishes a structured process for hearing officers, recommended decisions, exceptions, and final orders, and allows the commissioner to grant a temporary stay of the disputed action while the matter is pending, provided that occupants or the public are adequately protected.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to commissioner rulings under N.J.S.A. 55:13A-18 should be aware that any aggrieved party — including a landlord — has a narrow 15-day window from receipt of a ruling or order to file a hearing application with the commissioner. Compliant operators generally track all correspondence from the commissioner carefully, noting the date of receipt, so that procedural deadlines are not inadvertently missed. Landlords who receive notice of a hearing are also entitled to participate as interested parties, with opportunities to file exceptions and present argument before a final order is issued.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.J.S.A. 55:13A-18 gives tenants and other aggrieved persons the right to challenge most commissioner rulings, actions, orders, or notices by requesting a hearing — but that request must be filed within 15 days of receiving the disputed notice. Tenants who believe a commissioner action affects their housing situation can participate in the hearing process, file exceptions to a hearing officer's recommended decision, and present arguments before the commissioner issues a final order. Tenant-rights organizations in New Jersey can help individuals understand whether a particular commissioner action is subject to this hearing process and what the procedural steps generally involve.
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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