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Pennsauken Township, located in Camden County in southern New Jersey, is home to approximately 35,000 residents, with a significant portion of households renting rather than owning. The township's proximity to Philadelphia and its diverse working-class and immigrant communities make affordable housing a pressing concern, and renters here frequently seek information about security deposits, eviction procedures, and landlord repair obligations.
Unlike some New Jersey municipalities such as Camden City or Trenton, Pennsauken Township has not adopted a local rent control ordinance. However, New Jersey's statewide landlord-tenant statutes are among the most protective in the nation, providing Pennsauken renters with substantial rights regarding habitability, anti-retaliation, just-cause eviction, and security deposit limits and returns.
This page summarizes the laws that apply to Pennsauken renters as of April 2026. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you are facing an eviction, habitability dispute, or other landlord-tenant issue, you should consult a licensed attorney or a local legal aid organization.
No Rent Control in Pennsauken
Pennsauken Township has not enacted a rent control or rent stabilization ordinance. Unlike municipalities such as Jersey City, Newark, or Camden City, Pennsauken imposes no local cap on how much a landlord may raise rent between lease terms. New Jersey law does not preempt municipalities from adopting rent control — in fact, the New Jersey Supreme Court upheld the right of municipalities to enact rent control in Inganamort v. Borough of Fort Lee, 72 N.J. 412 (1977) — but Pennsauken has simply chosen not to exercise that authority.
In the absence of a local ordinance, a Pennsauken landlord may increase rent by any amount, provided they give proper written notice before the increase takes effect. For month-to-month tenancies, at least one full rental period's advance written notice is required under N.J.S.A. 2A:18-56. For fixed-term leases, rent cannot be changed mid-lease unless the lease itself provides otherwise. Renters should carefully review lease renewal terms and document all rent-increase notices in writing.
New Jersey's Landlord-Tenant Law (N.J.S.A. 46:8-1 et seq.) establishes comprehensive protections that apply to every residential tenant in Pennsauken.
Implied Warranty of Habitability: Under N.J.S.A. 46:8-1.1 and reinforced by the New Jersey Supreme Court in Marini v. Ireland, 56 N.J. 130 (1970), landlords must maintain rental units in a habitable condition — including structurally sound premises, functioning heat, hot and cold running water, adequate lighting, and freedom from rodent or pest infestation. If a landlord fails to maintain habitability, tenants may pursue rent withholding, rent abatement, or repair-and-deduct remedies through the courts.
Security Deposit Rules: N.J.S.A. 46:8-19 limits security deposits to one and one-half months' rent for new tenancies. Landlords must place deposits in a separate, interest-bearing account, notify tenants in writing of the bank and account number within 30 days of deposit (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19), and provide annual interest statements. Deposits and accrued interest must be returned within 30 days of tenancy termination (N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1).
Notice Requirements: For month-to-month tenancies, N.J.S.A. 2A:18-56 requires the landlord or tenant to give at least one full rental period's advance notice to terminate. For yearly leases, tenants are generally entitled to a renewal offer before the lease expires under the Anti-Eviction Act protections.
Anti-Retaliation Protections: N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.10 prohibits landlords from increasing rent, decreasing services, or threatening eviction in retaliation for a tenant's good-faith complaint to a housing authority or code enforcement agency, or for organizing or joining a tenants' union. A court may award the tenant damages and attorney's fees if retaliation is proven.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition: Under N.J.S.A. 2A:39-1 et seq. and the established common law of New Jersey, a landlord may not remove a tenant by force, change locks, remove doors or windows, or shut off utilities as a means of eviction. Self-help eviction is illegal regardless of whether the tenant owes rent; a landlord must pursue a court-supervised eviction process.
Security Deposit Cap: Under N.J.S.A. 46:8-19, a landlord in Pennsauken may collect a security deposit of no more than one and one-half (1.5) months' rent at the start of a new tenancy. Annual increases to the deposit are limited to 10% of the current deposit amount (N.J.S.A. 46:8-20).
Interest and Account Requirements: The landlord must deposit the security in a separate interest-bearing account in a New Jersey bank, savings institution, or money market fund. Within 30 days of receiving the deposit, the landlord must provide the tenant with written notice of the institution's name, account number, and interest rate. The tenant has the right to receive all accrued interest annually (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19 to 46:8-21).
Return Deadline: Following the end of the tenancy, the landlord must return the deposit plus accrued interest within 30 days (or five days if the tenant was displaced due to fire, flood, or condemnation). If the landlord makes deductions, they must provide an itemized written statement of deductions within the same 30-day period (N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1).
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If a landlord wrongfully withholds the security deposit or fails to comply with the notice and return requirements, the tenant may sue in New Jersey Special Civil Part court and recover double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus court costs and reasonable attorney's fees (N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1). This double-damages penalty applies even if the landlord's failure was not intentional.
Just Cause Requirement: New Jersey's Anti-Eviction Act, N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1 et seq., requires that a landlord have one of the enumerated just-cause grounds before evicting any residential tenant. Acceptable grounds include nonpayment of rent, habitual late payment, disorderly conduct, substantial property damage, violation of a lease covenant, and the landlord's good-faith intent to permanently remove the unit from the rental market, among others. A landlord cannot evict a tenant simply because the lease has expired.
Notice Requirements: The type and length of notice required depends on the grounds for eviction:
Court Process: After proper notice, the landlord must file a Complaint for Possession in the Camden County Special Civil Part (Superior Court, Law Division). The court schedules a hearing, typically within a few weeks. Both parties may present evidence. If judgment is entered for the landlord, the court issues a Warrant for Removal, which is served by a court officer. The tenant has a brief period (typically three days after the warrant is issued) to vacate before physical removal.
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal: A landlord who changes locks, removes belongings, shuts off utilities, or otherwise forces a tenant out without a court order violates N.J.S.A. 2A:39-1 et seq. and may face civil liability for damages, including any costs the tenant incurs for alternative housing. Tenants subjected to illegal lockout can seek an emergency court order for immediate re-entry.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws are complex and change frequently; the summaries here reflect our best understanding of New Jersey law and Pennsauken Township rules as of April 2026, but may not reflect recent amendments, court decisions, or local changes. Nothing on this page creates an attorney-client relationship. If you are facing eviction, a security deposit dispute, or any other landlord-tenant legal matter, you should consult a licensed New Jersey attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization in Camden County for advice specific to your situation.
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