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Raritan is a small borough in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, situated along the Raritan River. While the borough's population is modest — roughly 7,000 residents — a significant share of households rent, and many tenants are unaware of the substantial protections New Jersey state law provides. Renters in Raritan most commonly search for information about security deposit return timelines, eviction notice requirements, and what to do when a landlord refuses to make repairs.
New Jersey is widely recognized as one of the most tenant-protective states in the country. The 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.), and the Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law (N.J.S.A. 55:13A-1 et seq.) all apply to Raritan renters alongside the general Landlord-Tenant statute at N.J.S.A. 46:8-1 et seq. Raritan Borough has not enacted any local rent control or additional tenant-protection ordinances beyond what state law requires.
This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and individual circumstances vary. If you face an eviction, habitability dispute, or security deposit issue, consult a qualified attorney or contact Legal Services of Northwest Jersey for guidance specific to your situation.
Raritan Borough has no rent control ordinance. Unlike some New Jersey municipalities — such as Newark, Jersey City, and Hoboken — that have adopted local rent stabilization laws, Raritan has never passed such a measure. New Jersey does not preempt municipalities from enacting rent control; the decision is left to each local government. Because Raritan's governing body has not adopted a rent control or rent stabilization ordinance, there is currently no cap on how much a landlord may increase rent between lease terms.
In practical terms, this means a Raritan landlord may raise rent by any amount when a lease expires or, for month-to-month tenants, after providing the required notice period. The only constraint is that a landlord cannot raise rent in a retaliatory manner — for example, in response to a tenant's complaint about housing conditions — which is prohibited under N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.10 (the Anti-Retaliation statute). Tenants who believe a rent increase is retaliatory should document the timeline carefully and seek legal advice promptly.
New Jersey provides comprehensive statewide tenant protections that apply to every renter in Raritan Borough regardless of the absence of a local ordinance.
Implied Warranty of Habitability (N.J.S.A. 2A:42-85 et seq. & Common Law): Landlords must maintain rental units in a safe, decent, and sanitary condition. The New Jersey Supreme Court recognized an implied warranty of habitability in Marini v. Ireland (1970) and subsequent case law. Conditions such as lack of heat, mold, rodent infestation, or structural defects give tenants the right to withhold rent, repair-and-deduct, or terminate the lease, subject to proper procedures.
Security Deposit Rules (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19 through 46:8-26): Landlords may collect a maximum security deposit of 1.5 months' rent. The deposit must be placed in an interest-bearing account at a New Jersey bank, and tenants must receive written notice of the bank, account number, and interest rate within 30 days of receiving the deposit. Interest must be returned annually or credited against rent.
Notice Requirements (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-56): For month-to-month tenancies, either party must provide at least one calendar month's written notice before terminating the tenancy. For fixed-term leases, the lease terms govern notice; however, landlords still need a just-cause ground to evict even after a lease expires.
Anti-Retaliation Protections (N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.10): A landlord may not increase rent, reduce services, or commence eviction proceedings against a tenant in retaliation for reporting housing code violations, contacting a government agency about conditions, or exercising any legal tenant right. Retaliation is presumed if adverse action occurs within 90 days of protected activity.
Lockout & Utility Shutoff Prohibition (N.J.S.A. 2A:39-1 et seq.): Self-help eviction — including changing locks, removing doors or windows, or shutting off utilities — is illegal in New Jersey. A landlord who engages in self-help eviction can face civil liability and criminal charges.
Truth in Renting Act (N.J.S.A. 46:8-43 et seq.): Landlords renting to residential tenants must provide a copy of the state's official "Truth in Renting" statement, which summarizes tenant and landlord rights and responsibilities. Failure to provide it is a disorderly persons offense.
Security deposit rules in Raritan are governed exclusively by New Jersey state law under N.J.S.A. 46:8-19 through 46:8-26.
Maximum Deposit: A landlord may collect no more than 1.5 months' rent as a security deposit. If a landlord collects more, the tenant may seek return of the excess.
Deposit Holding Requirements: The landlord must deposit the funds in an interest-bearing account at an insured New Jersey financial institution within 30 days of receiving the deposit. The tenant must receive written notice of the bank name, branch address, account number, and current interest rate. Each year, the landlord must either pay the accrued interest to the tenant or credit it against the next month's rent (N.J.S.A. 46:8-20).
Return Deadline: After a tenancy ends, the landlord must return the deposit — plus any accrued interest, less any legitimate deductions — within 30 days of the lease termination or the date the tenant vacates, whichever is later. If the tenancy ends due to fire, flood, or condemnation, the return deadline is 5 days (N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1).
Itemized Statement: Along with any retained portion of the deposit, the landlord must provide a written, itemized statement explaining the reason for each deduction. Deductions are only permissible for unpaid rent and actual damages beyond normal wear and tear.
Penalty for Non-Compliance: If the landlord willfully fails to return the deposit or provide the itemized statement within the required timeframe, the tenant may sue for double the deposit amount plus attorney's fees under N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1. Courts have consistently enforced this penalty, making timely return essential for landlords.
All residential evictions in Raritan — and throughout New Jersey — are governed by the Anti-Eviction Act, N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1 et seq., which requires a landlord to have a legally recognized just cause before evicting any residential tenant. This protection applies even after a lease expires.
Recognized Grounds for Eviction include: nonpayment of rent, habitual late payment, disorderly conduct, willful destruction of property, violation of a lease term (after written notice and opportunity to cure), continued violation of rules, landlord's desire to permanently retire the unit from the rental market, and several other enumerated grounds (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1(a)–(l)).
Step 1 — Notice to Quit: Before filing in court, the landlord must serve the appropriate written notice. The notice period depends on the ground for eviction: 3 days for nonpayment of rent (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.2(a)); 1 month for month-to-month tenancy terminations; and other periods as specified for each cause. The notice must clearly state the reason for eviction and the date by which the tenant must vacate or cure.
Step 2 — Filing a Complaint: If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file a Complaint for Possession in the Special Civil Part of Superior Court (Hunterdon County Courthouse). The court issues a summons scheduling a hearing, typically within 10–20 days.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both parties appear before a judge. The tenant has the right to present defenses, including payment of rent owed (which voids most nonpayment evictions under N.J.S.A. 2A:18-55), habitability issues, or retaliation. The court may grant a hardship stay of up to six months for certain tenants (N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.6).
Step 4 — Warrant for Removal: If the court enters a judgment for possession, the landlord must obtain a Warrant for Removal. There is a mandatory three-business-day waiting period after the warrant is issued before a court officer (not the landlord) may physically remove the tenant.
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal: A landlord may never change the locks, remove the tenant's belongings, shut off utilities, or otherwise force a tenant out without going through the court process. Such actions violate N.J.S.A. 2A:39-1 et seq. and can expose the landlord to significant civil liability and criminal penalties. Tenants subjected to self-help eviction may seek an emergency court order to be restored to the premises.
The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws can change, and the application of any statute depends on the specific facts of your situation. Raritan renters facing eviction, security deposit disputes, or habitability issues should consult a licensed New Jersey attorney or contact a legal aid organization such as Legal Services of New Jersey before taking action. RentCheckMe makes no representations as to the completeness or current accuracy of the information herein, and is not responsible for any actions taken in reliance on it.
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