N.J. Stat. Ann. § 55:13B-1 et seq. § 55:13B-14
Prohibition of notice to leave or other action in retaliation; enforcement of rights or complaint by resident
Operative Text
No owner, operator or employee shall serve notice upon a resident to leave the premises, or take any other action in retaliation for: (a) The efforts of the resident or a person acting on his behalf to secure or enforce any rights under a contract, the laws of this State or any of its subdivisions, or the laws of the United States; or (b) The good faith complaint of a resident or a person acting on his behalf to a governmental authority concerning the owner, operator or employee's alleged violation of this act or any health or safety law, regulation, code or ordinance, or other law or regulation which has as its objective the regulation of rooming houses or boarding houses. L.1979, c. 496, s. 14.
Under N.J.S.A. 55:13B-14, owners, operators, and employees of rooming houses and boarding houses in New Jersey are prohibited from serving eviction notices or taking any other retaliatory action against a resident because that resident—or someone acting on their behalf—attempted to enforce legal rights or filed a good-faith complaint with a government authority. The complaint may concern alleged violations of the Rooming and Boarding House Act itself, or any health, safety, or housing-related law, regulation, code, or ordinance. This anti-retaliation protection applies whether the resident acted personally or through a representative.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators and employees covered by N.J.S.A. 55:13B-14 generally ensure that any notice to vacate or other adverse action taken against a resident is grounded in legitimate, documented reasons entirely unrelated to that resident's exercise of legal rights or filing of a government complaint. Compliant operators maintain clear records of the business or lease-based reasons behind any adverse action, so that the timing of a complaint or rights-enforcement effort cannot be construed as the motivating factor. Rooming and boarding house managers typically review the sequence of events carefully before initiating any action that could appear connected to a resident's protected activity.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.J.S.A. 55:13B-14 gives residents of rooming and boarding houses the right to be free from eviction notices or other adverse actions taken in retaliation for complaining to a government agency or for seeking to enforce legal rights. If a resident believes an owner, operator, or employee has acted in retaliation, that protection may be raised as a defense in eviction proceedings or pursued through a complaint to the relevant local or state authority overseeing rooming and boarding house conditions. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid offices familiar with New Jersey housing law can help residents understand the options available under this provision.
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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