Want to skip straight to checking your own building? Use the RentCheckMe address checker.
Collingswood is a dense, walkable borough in Camden County with a significant renter population drawn to its arts scene, PATCO access to Philadelphia, and historic housing stock. Many residents rent apartments in older multi-unit buildings, and questions about security deposits, rent increases, and eviction protections are among the most common legal concerns for tenants in this community.
New Jersey provides some of the strongest statewide tenant protections in the country. Collingswood renters benefit from the New Jersey Anti-Eviction Act, which requires landlords to prove a legally valid reason before removing a tenant, as well as strict habitability requirements, limits on security deposits, and robust anti-retaliation protections — all enforceable under state law regardless of any local ordinance.
This page summarizes key landlord-tenant laws that apply to Collingswood renters. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change and individual circumstances vary — consult a licensed attorney or legal aid organization for guidance specific to your situation.
Collingswood has not enacted a local rent control ordinance. Unlike some New Jersey municipalities — such as Newark, Trenton, or Jersey City — Collingswood Borough has not passed a rent stabilization or rent control law. As a result, there is no cap on how much a landlord in Collingswood may raise the rent, and no local agency reviews or approves rent increases.
New Jersey does not preempt municipalities from adopting rent control (unlike several other states), so Collingswood could theoretically pass such an ordinance in the future. However, as of April 2026, none exists. The absence of rent control means a landlord may increase rent by any amount, subject only to proper notice requirements and the prohibition on retaliatory rent hikes under N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.10.
Practically speaking, Collingswood tenants who receive a rent increase have limited options to challenge the amount itself. However, if a rent increase follows the tenant exercising a legal right — such as complaining about housing code violations — it may constitute illegal retaliation under New Jersey law and can be challenged in court.
New Jersey's landlord-tenant statutes provide broad protections for all residential renters, including those in Collingswood. The major protections are summarized below.
Implied Warranty of Habitability (N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.2 & 2A:42-10.3): Every residential lease in New Jersey carries an implied warranty that the rental unit is habitable and fit for human occupancy. Landlords must maintain heating, plumbing, electricity, structural integrity, and freedom from rodent or insect infestation. If a landlord fails to maintain habitable conditions, tenants may withhold rent, make repairs and deduct costs (within limits), or seek a rent reduction in court.
Security Deposit Rules (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19 through 46:8-26): Landlords may not collect more than one and one-half months' rent as a security deposit at the start of tenancy. Deposits must be held in a separate bank account, and tenants must be notified in writing of the bank name, branch, and account number within 30 days of receiving the deposit.
Notice to Terminate (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-56): To end a month-to-month tenancy, either party must provide at least one full rental period's written notice. For weekly tenancies, seven days' notice is required. Landlords cannot simply demand a tenant leave without complying with this notice requirement and, thereafter, the Anti-Eviction Act's just-cause requirement.
Anti-Eviction Act — Just Cause Required (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1): New Jersey's Anti-Eviction Act is among the strongest tenant protections in the nation. A landlord cannot evict a residential tenant without proving one of the Act's enumerated just-cause grounds, which include nonpayment of rent, disorderly conduct, substantial lease violations, and owner occupancy (subject to strict conditions). Simply wanting the unit back or lease expiration alone is not sufficient cause for eviction.
Anti-Retaliation Protections (N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.10 through 2A:42-10.12): Landlords are prohibited from retaliating against tenants who report housing code violations, contact government agencies, or exercise any legal right under the lease or state law. Retaliation may include eviction proceedings, rent increases, or reduction of services. A tenant facing retaliation may raise it as a defense in eviction court and may seek damages.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition (N.J.S.A. 2A:39-1): Self-help eviction — such as changing locks, removing doors, or shutting off utilities to force a tenant out — is illegal in New Jersey. Only a court-issued warrant of removal enforced by a Special Civil Part officer may lawfully remove a tenant. Violation of this prohibition can expose a landlord to civil liability and criminal charges.
New Jersey's security deposit law (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19 through 46:8-26) sets detailed rules that apply to all Collingswood rentals.
Maximum Amount: At the inception of a tenancy, a landlord may collect no more than one and one-half months' rent as a security deposit. Annual increases to the deposit are permitted but may not cause the total held to exceed one and one-half months of the then-current rent.
Holding Requirements: The deposit must be deposited in a separate interest-bearing bank account within 30 days of receipt. The landlord must provide the tenant written notice of the bank's name, address, and account number, as well as the interest rate, within 30 days (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19). The tenant is entitled to annual interest earnings, which may be applied to rent or paid out.
Return Deadline: After the tenancy ends, the landlord must return the security deposit — plus accrued interest, minus any lawfully deducted amounts for unpaid rent or physical damage beyond normal wear and tear — within 30 days of the termination of the lease or the tenant's departure, whichever is later. If the landlord terminates tenancy due to a fire, flood, or condemnation, the deposit must be returned within five business days (N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1).
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If a landlord fails to return the deposit within the required period without legal justification, the tenant is entitled to double (2x) the amount of the deposit wrongfully withheld, plus court costs and reasonable attorney's fees, under N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1. Tenants should send a written demand for return via certified mail to document the request and start the clock for legal action.
Evicting a residential tenant in Collingswood is a court-supervised process governed by the New Jersey Anti-Eviction Act (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1 et seq.) and the Special Civil Part Rules. Below is an overview of the required steps.
Step 1 — Just Cause Required: The landlord must have a legally recognized ground for eviction under N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1. Common grounds include: nonpayment of rent, habitual late payment, disorderly conduct, substantial violation of lease terms, criminal activity on the premises, landlord or immediate family member occupancy (subject to strict notice and conditions), or demolition/conversion. A landlord who simply wants the unit back at lease end, without one of these grounds, cannot evict a residential tenant in New Jersey.
Step 2 — Written Notice to Quit: Before filing in court, the landlord must serve the tenant with a written notice to quit appropriate to the ground asserted. Notice periods vary: 3 days for nonpayment of rent (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.2); 30 days for most lease violations and disorderly conduct (first offense); 3 days for a second or subsequent disorderly conduct offense. The notice must be served personally or by certified and regular mail.
Step 3 — Filing a Complaint in Special Civil Part: If the tenant does not cure or vacate, the landlord files a Landlord-Tenant complaint in the Camden County Special Civil Part (part of Superior Court). A hearing date is typically scheduled within a few weeks. The tenant receives a summons with the hearing date and must appear to contest the eviction.
Step 4 — Court Hearing: Both parties present their case before a judge. Tenants may raise defenses including payment of rent owed, habitability counterclaims, lack of proper notice, or landlord retaliation (N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.10). Agreements to resolve the matter (consent orders) are common at this stage.
Step 5 — Warrant of Removal: If the court rules in the landlord's favor, a warrant of removal is issued. The tenant typically has at least three days after the warrant is issued before a Special Civil Part Officer may carry out the lockout. Courts may grant additional time in cases of hardship.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: A landlord who changes locks, removes a tenant's belongings, shuts off utilities, or otherwise attempts to force a tenant out without a court-issued warrant of removal violates N.J.S.A. 2A:39-1. Tenants subjected to an illegal lockout may seek emergency court relief, damages, and attorney's fees.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws, local ordinances, and court interpretations can change at any time, and individual circumstances vary significantly. Nothing here creates an attorney-client relationship. Collingswood renters with specific legal questions or urgent housing situations — such as an eviction notice, lockout, or uninhabitable conditions — should contact a licensed New Jersey attorney or a local legal aid organization as soon as possible. RentCheckMe makes no representation that the information on this page is current, complete, or applicable to your specific situation.
Find out if your home is covered by rent control or tenant protections.
Use the Address Checker →We'll email you if the rent cap, coverage rules, or tenant protections change — no spam, unsubscribe any time.