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Pleasantville is a small city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, located just a few miles from Atlantic City. With a population of roughly 20,000, the city has a substantial renter population, and many residents live in apartments, duplexes, and multi-family homes. Renters in Pleasantville most frequently ask about eviction protections, security deposit return timelines, and what their landlord is legally required to maintain in their home.
New Jersey is widely regarded as one of the most tenant-protective states in the country. Pleasantville renters benefit from the statewide Truth in Renting Act (N.J.S.A. 46:8-43 et seq.), the Anti-Eviction Act (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1 et seq.), the Security Deposit Law (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19 et seq.), and the Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law (N.J.S.A. 55:13A-1 et seq.), among other statutes. Unlike some states, New Jersey does not preempt local rent control, but Pleasantville itself has not adopted a rent control ordinance.
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and every situation is different. If you face an eviction, a habitability problem, or a security deposit dispute, consult a qualified attorney or a local legal aid organization.
Pleasantville does not have a local rent control ordinance. New Jersey state law does not preempt municipalities from enacting rent control — in fact, dozens of New Jersey cities and towns have their own rent stabilization ordinances. However, Pleasantville has not adopted such an ordinance, which means there is currently no cap on how much a landlord can increase your rent between lease terms.
In practice, this means a landlord in Pleasantville may raise your rent by any amount, provided they give proper written notice before the increase takes effect. For month-to-month tenants, at least one month's written notice is required under N.J.S.A. 2A:18-56. For fixed-term leases, your rent is locked for the duration of the lease, and any increase only takes effect upon renewal.
While there is no rent ceiling, landlords cannot raise rent in retaliation for a tenant exercising a legal right (such as complaining to a housing inspector), as such conduct is prohibited by N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.10. If you believe a rent increase is retaliatory, contact a legal aid organization for guidance.
New Jersey provides some of the strongest statewide tenant protections in the United States. The following key protections apply to renters in Pleasantville:
Implied Warranty of Habitability (N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.16; common law): Every residential landlord in New Jersey must maintain rental units in a safe, sanitary, and habitable condition. This includes working heat, hot water, plumbing, electrical systems, and freedom from pest infestations. If a landlord fails to make necessary repairs after proper notice, tenants may have remedies including rent withholding, rent reduction, or repair-and-deduct, subject to court oversight.
Security Deposit Rules (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19 et seq.): Landlords may collect a maximum security deposit of one and one-half months' rent for new tenancies. The deposit must be placed in a separate interest-bearing account, and the landlord must notify the tenant in writing of the bank name, address, and account number within 30 days of receiving the deposit (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19).
Notice Requirements (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-56): For month-to-month tenancies, landlords must provide at least one month's written notice before terminating the tenancy. For yearly leases, proper notice at the end of the lease term is required. Tenants wishing to vacate should likewise provide reasonable written notice.
Anti-Retaliation Protections (N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.10 & 2A:42-10.12): A landlord may not evict, raise rent, reduce services, or harass a tenant in retaliation for: reporting housing code violations to a government agency; organizing or joining a tenants' union; or exercising any legal tenant right. Retaliation is presumed if adverse action occurs within 90 days of a tenant's protected activity.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition (N.J.S.A. 2A:39-1 et seq.; N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.10): Self-help evictions are illegal in New Jersey. A landlord may not change locks, remove doors or windows, shut off utilities, or remove a tenant's belongings to force them out. Only a court order and a law enforcement officer may carry out a lawful eviction.
Truth in Renting Act (N.J.S.A. 46:8-43 et seq.): Landlords of buildings with three or more units must provide tenants with a statement of their legal rights and responsibilities at the start of the tenancy. The NJ Division of Consumer Affairs publishes this document and it must be given to every new tenant.
New Jersey's Security Deposit Law (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19 through 46:8-26) governs all residential security deposits in Pleasantville.
Maximum Deposit: For new tenancies, a landlord may collect no more than one and one-half (1.5) months' rent as a security deposit. After the first year, annual increases to the deposit are limited to 10% of the current deposit amount (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19).
Deposit Holding Requirements: Within 30 days of receiving the security deposit, the landlord must deposit it in a separate interest-bearing account at a New Jersey bank, savings institution, or money market fund. The landlord must provide written notice to the tenant identifying the institution, account number, and current interest rate (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19). Interest accrues to the tenant's benefit and must be applied to the deposit annually or paid to the tenant.
Return Deadline: After the tenancy ends, the landlord has 30 days to return the security deposit plus accrued interest, minus any lawful deductions for unpaid rent or tenant-caused damages beyond normal wear and tear (N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1). If the tenant had to vacate due to a fire, flood, or other casualty rendering the unit uninhabitable, the return deadline is shortened to 5 business days.
Itemized Statement Required: Along with any withheld portion, the landlord must provide a written, itemized statement of deductions. Failure to provide this statement forfeits the landlord's right to retain any portion of the deposit.
Penalty for Non-Compliance: If a landlord wrongfully withholds all or part of the security deposit, or fails to meet the notice and holding requirements, the tenant may sue and recover double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus court costs and reasonable attorney's fees (N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1).
New Jersey's Anti-Eviction Act (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1 et seq.) requires a landlord to have a legally recognized reason — known as just cause — before evicting a residential tenant in Pleasantville. A landlord cannot simply decide not to renew a lease without a valid statutory ground.
Recognized Just Cause Grounds (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1): Lawful grounds for eviction include: nonpayment of rent; habitual late payment; disorderly conduct; destruction of property; violation of a lease covenant that the tenant fails to cure; conviction of certain drug offenses on the premises; refusal to accept reasonable lease changes; and owner or immediate family member occupancy (subject to specific notice requirements).
Notice Requirements: Before filing in court, a landlord must serve the appropriate written notice:
Court Filing: If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord must file a Landlord/Tenant complaint in the Special Civil Part of the New Jersey Superior Court for Atlantic County, located at the Atlantic County Civil Courthouse in Mays Landing. Both parties receive a hearing date, typically within 10–30 days of filing.
Hearing and Judgment: At the hearing, both the landlord and tenant may present evidence. If the court rules for the landlord, a judgment for possession is entered. The tenant generally has a brief period to vacate or, in rent cases, to pay the outstanding balance and have the judgment vacated.
Warrant for Removal: If the tenant does not leave voluntarily after judgment, the landlord may apply for a Warrant for Removal (N.J. Court Rule 6:7-1). A court officer — not the landlord — must physically carry out any lockout. Landlords who attempt a self-help eviction by changing locks, removing doors, or shutting off utilities face civil liability and potential criminal charges under N.J.S.A. 2A:39-1 et seq.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: Under N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.10 and 2A:39-1, a landlord who uses force, changes locks, removes belongings, or cuts off utilities to pressure a tenant to leave is committing an illegal act. Tenants subjected to self-help eviction may seek emergency injunctive relief in court and may be entitled to damages.
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information presented reflects the authors' understanding of New Jersey landlord-tenant law and Pleasantville local regulations as of April 2026, but laws and ordinances can change. Every tenancy situation is unique, and the application of the law to your specific circumstances may differ. Renters facing eviction, habitability disputes, security deposit problems, or other housing legal issues should consult a licensed New Jersey attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization such as South Jersey Legal Services or Legal Services of New Jersey. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and does not create an attorney-client relationship.
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