Camden is a mid-size city in Camden County, New Jersey, situated directly across the Delaware River from Philadelphia. With a renter population that exceeds 60% of households, Camden's renters rely heavily on New Jersey's statewide landlord-tenant framework to protect their interests. The city's rental market includes a mix of older row homes, apartments, and subsidized housing units, many of which are subject to federal habitability standards as well as New Jersey law.
New Jersey provides among the strongest tenant protections in the United States. The New Jersey Anti-Eviction Act (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1) requires landlords to demonstrate specific just-cause grounds before evicting any tenant — a protection that applies in Camden as it does statewide. The New Jersey Security Deposit Law (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19 through 46:8-26), the Truth in Renting Act (N.J.S.A. 46:8-43 through 46:8-51), and the Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law (N.J.S.A. 55:13A-1 et seq.) collectively create a comprehensive set of rights for renters throughout the state, including Camden.
This article summarizes the key tenant rights applicable to Camden renters based on New Jersey law. 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 local legal aid organization for guidance specific to your situation.
Yes — Camden has rent control. Camden is one of roughly 100 New Jersey municipalities that has adopted a local rent control (rent leveling) ordinance. The ordinance limits annual rent increases to a CPI-based or percentage cap set by the local ordinance. It is administered by the municipality's rent control / rent leveling board, where tenants can file complaints and landlords can apply for hardship or capital-improvement increases.
New Jersey has no statewide rent cap, but state law lets municipalities adopt local rent control under their home-rule and police power (N.J.S.A. 40:48-2; Inganamort v. Fort Lee, 62 N.J. 521). Coverage, exemptions (such as owner-occupied small buildings or newer construction), and the exact current cap vary by ordinance — confirm yours with the Camden rent control board.
Implied Warranty of Habitability
Under New Jersey common law and codified in the Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law (N.J.S.A. 55:13A-1 et seq.) and the Truth in Renting Act (N.J.S.A. 46:8-43), landlords must maintain rental units in a safe, sanitary, and habitable condition. This includes functional heating, plumbing, electrical systems, and structural integrity. Tenants who live in buildings with three or more units are entitled to have the property registered with and inspected by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) under N.J.S.A. 55:13A-7.
Repair and Deduct / Rent Withholding
New Jersey courts have recognized tenants' rights to withhold rent or seek a rent reduction when a landlord fails to maintain a habitable unit. Under Marini v. Ireland, 56 N.J. 130 (1970), and N.J.S.A. 2A:42-85 through 2A:42-96 (Rent Receivership Act), tenants may pursue remedies including rent escrow through Housing Court. Tenants should document all repair requests in writing and retain copies before pursuing these remedies.
Security Deposit Rules
Under N.J.S.A. 46:8-19, landlords may collect a security deposit of no more than one and one-half months' rent at the beginning of a tenancy. The deposit must be held in a separate interest-bearing bank account, and the tenant must be notified of the bank name, address, and account number within 30 days of receipt (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19). Annual interest or earnings must be credited to the tenant or paid out each year.
Notice Requirements
For month-to-month tenancies, either party must give notice of termination equal to one full rental period (typically 30 days) under N.J.S.A. 2A:18-56. For fixed-term leases, the lease terms govern unless the Anti-Eviction Act requires additional protections. Landlords seeking to increase rent or change lease terms for a renewal must provide reasonable written notice in advance.
Anti-Retaliation Protections
N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.10 prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants who report housing code violations, contact government agencies about habitability issues, or exercise any other legal tenant right. Retaliation may include eviction, rent increases, or service reductions. A court may presume retaliation if adverse action occurs within 90 days of protected activity.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition
Self-help eviction — including changing locks, removing doors or windows, or shutting off utilities to force a tenant out — is illegal in New Jersey. N.J.S.A. 2A:39-1 (Forcible Entry and Detainer) and common law protections prohibit such actions. A tenant subjected to a self-help eviction may seek emergency injunctive relief and damages in court.
Security Deposit Cap
New Jersey limits the initial security deposit to a maximum of one and one-half (1.5) months' rent under N.J.S.A. 46:8-19. At any annual renewal, a landlord may collect an additional deposit, but the total security deposit held at any time cannot exceed one and one-half months of the current rent.
Interest and Account Requirements
The security deposit must be placed in a federally insured interest-bearing savings account or money market fund (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19). Within 30 days of receiving the deposit, the landlord must provide written notice to the tenant identifying the financial institution, the type of account, and the account number. Interest or earnings on the deposit must be paid or credited to the tenant annually (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19).
Return Deadline
Under N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1, landlords must return the security deposit — along with an itemized statement of any deductions — within 30 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant delivers possession of the unit. If the unit is rendered uninhabitable by fire, flood, or another casualty, the return deadline is shortened to 5 days.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding
If a landlord fails to return the deposit within the required period or wrongfully withholds any portion without a proper itemized statement, the tenant is entitled to recover double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees, under N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1. Tenants should send a written demand for return of the deposit via certified mail to create a documented record.
Just Cause Required
New Jersey's Anti-Eviction Act (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1) requires landlords to establish one of the enumerated just-cause grounds before evicting a residential tenant. Acceptable grounds include nonpayment of rent, habitual late payment, disorderly conduct, destruction of property, violation of a lease covenant, conviction for certain drug offenses on the premises, and owner or immediate family member occupancy (for certain building types). A landlord cannot evict a tenant simply because the lease has expired or because the landlord wants the unit back without a statutory reason.
Notice Requirements
The type and length of notice required depends on the ground for eviction:
— Nonpayment of rent: A written notice to cease is not required, but the landlord must file in court and the tenant has the right to pay all arrears before or at the hearing (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1(a)).
— Lease violations / disorderly conduct: A written notice to cease must first be given; if the violation continues, a notice to quit of one rental period (at least 30 days) is required before filing (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1(b),(c)).
— Month-to-month termination (no cause): Not permitted under the Anti-Eviction Act for residential tenants — just cause is always required.
All notices must be in writing and properly served on the tenant.
Court Filing and Hearing
After proper notice, the landlord must file a Complaint for Summary Dispossess in the Special Civil Part of the Superior Court (Housing Court) in Camden County. The tenant will receive a summons with a hearing date. Tenants have the right to appear, present a defense, and, in nonpayment cases, pay all rent due before or at the hearing to stop the eviction (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-55).
Warrant for Removal and Lockout
If judgment is entered against the tenant, the court issues a Warrant for Removal. A court officer — not the landlord — must execute the lockout. The landlord has no legal right to remove the tenant personally or to change locks without a court-issued warrant. Doing so constitutes an illegal self-help eviction and exposes the landlord to liability.
Hardship Stays
Under N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.6, a court may grant a tenant a stay of up to six months if the tenant can show that immediate eviction would cause exceptional hardship and that the landlord would not suffer substantial injury from the delay.
The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws are subject to change through legislation, regulation, and court decisions. While we strive for accuracy, RentCheckMe makes no warranties regarding the completeness or current accuracy of the information presented. Camden renters with specific legal questions or urgent housing issues should consult a licensed New Jersey attorney or contact Legal Aid of South Jersey or Legal Services of New Jersey. Do not rely solely on this article when making decisions about your tenancy.
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