Washington Borough is a small residential community in Gloucester County, New Jersey. Like all New Jersey municipalities, it operates under the state's comprehensive landlord-tenant statutory framework, which is among the most protective in the nation. Renters in Washington benefit from the New Jersey Anti-Eviction Act, the Security Deposit Law, the Truth in Renting Act, and the habitability requirements of the New Jersey Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law where applicable.
Renters in Washington most commonly seek information about security deposit returns, eviction procedures, and their rights when a landlord fails to maintain a habitable unit. New Jersey is distinctive because it requires landlords to establish just cause before evicting any tenant — a protection that applies in Washington regardless of whether the tenant has a written lease or rents month-to-month.
This page is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Statutes and local rules can change; renters facing a specific dispute are encouraged to consult a licensed New Jersey attorney or a local legal aid organization before taking action.
Yes — Washington has rent control. Washington 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 Washington rent control board.
Implied Warranty of Habitability (N.J.S.A. 2A:42-85 et seq.; N.J.S.A. 55:13A-1 et seq.): New Jersey landlords are required to maintain rental units in a habitable condition. This includes functioning heating, plumbing, electrical systems, weatherproofing, and freedom from vermin infestations. If a landlord fails to make necessary repairs after written notice, a tenant may pursue rent withholding, repair-and-deduct remedies through the courts, or file a complaint with the local housing inspector or the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Bureau of Housing Inspection.
Security Deposit Rules (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19 et seq.): Landlords may collect a security deposit of no more than one and one-half months' rent. The deposit must be held in a separate, interest-bearing bank account, and the tenant must receive written notice of the account's location within 30 days of deposit. Interest earned belongs to the tenant and must be applied to the deposit or paid to the tenant annually.
Notice Requirements (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-56): To terminate a month-to-month tenancy, a landlord must provide at least one month's written notice. For weekly tenancies, seven days' notice is required. These are minimum floors; a lease may specify longer notice periods.
Anti-Retaliation Protections (N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.10 – 10.14): A landlord may not increase rent, decrease services, or begin eviction proceedings against a tenant in retaliation for: reporting housing code violations to a government agency, filing a complaint with a court or regulatory body, or organizing or joining a tenant association. If a landlord takes adverse action within 90 days of a protected activity, there is a rebuttable presumption of retaliation.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition (N.J.S.A. 2A:39-1 et seq.; N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.6): Self-help eviction is illegal in New Jersey. A landlord who removes a tenant's belongings, changes the locks, or shuts off utilities to force a tenant to vacate without a court order can face civil liability. A tenant subjected to an illegal lockout may seek emergency relief (an order to re-enter) from the Superior Court.
Truth in Renting Act (N.J.S.A. 46:8-43 et seq.): Landlords of buildings with two or more units must provide each tenant with a copy of the DCA's official summary of New Jersey tenant rights at the start of the tenancy. Failure to provide this document may be used as evidence in a tenant's favor in a later dispute.
Under the New Jersey Security Deposit Law (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19 through 46:8-26), landlords in Washington are subject to the following rules:
Cap on Amount: The initial security deposit may not exceed one and one-half (1.5) months' rent. Any subsequent annual increases to the deposit may not exceed 10% of the current deposit amount.
Investment Requirement: The deposit must be placed in a separate interest-bearing savings account or invested in a money-market fund at a state or federally chartered bank or savings institution in New Jersey. Within 30 days of receiving the deposit, the landlord must provide the tenant with written notice of the institution's name and address, account number, and the current interest rate (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19).
Return Deadline: After the lease ends and the tenant vacates, the landlord must return the deposit (plus accrued interest, less any lawful deductions) within 30 days. If the tenant provides a forwarding address after vacating, the landlord has 30 days from that notice or 30 days from the end of the tenancy, whichever is later. If the tenancy is terminated due to fire, flood, condemnation, or evacuation, the deposit must be returned within five (5) business days (N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1).
Itemized Statement: If deductions are taken, the landlord must provide a written, itemized statement of damages along with the balance of the deposit within the 30-day window.
Penalty for Non-Compliance: A landlord who wrongfully withholds all or part of a security deposit without providing the required written statement is liable to the tenant for double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney fees and court costs (N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1). This is a powerful remedy that tenants can pursue in Small Claims Court (Special Civil Part) for deposits up to $5,000.
New Jersey has one of the strongest tenant eviction protections in the country. The Anti-Eviction Act (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1 et seq.) requires a landlord to have a legally recognized just-cause reason before evicting any residential tenant. This applies to month-to-month tenants and fixed-term lease tenants alike in Washington.
Just-Cause Grounds: Permitted grounds include, but are not limited to: nonpayment of rent; habitual late payment of rent; disorderly conduct; destruction of property; violation of a lease term; refusal to accept reasonable lease changes; conviction of certain crimes on the premises; and the landlord's desire to permanently remove the unit from the rental market. Each ground has specific procedural requirements.
Required Notices Before Filing:
Court Filing: If the tenant does not vacate after the notice period expires, the landlord must file a Complaint for Summary Dispossess in the Special Civil Part of the New Jersey Superior Court. The tenant will receive a summons with a hearing date, typically within 10–30 days of filing.
Hearing and Judgment: Both landlord and tenant may appear and present evidence at the hearing. If the court rules for the landlord, a judgment for possession is entered. The tenant typically receives a brief period (often 3–10 days) to vacate voluntarily.
Warrant for Removal: If the tenant does not leave after the judgment, the landlord may apply for a warrant for removal, which authorizes a court officer (Special Civil Part Officer) to physically remove the tenant and their belongings. Only a court officer may carry out a removal — not the landlord directly.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: A landlord may never change the locks, remove doors or windows, shut off utilities, or remove the tenant's personal property to force them out without a court order. Such actions violate N.J.S.A. 2A:39-1 et seq. and N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.6 and expose the landlord to civil liability. A tenant subjected to a self-help eviction may seek emergency injunctive relief from the Superior Court.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Landlord-tenant laws, local ordinances, and court interpretations change over time, and the applicability of any law depends on the specific facts of your situation. Renters in Washington, NJ who have questions about their rights or are facing a housing dispute should consult a licensed New Jersey attorney or contact a local legal aid organization such as Legal Services of New Jersey. RentCheckMe makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of this information and is not responsible for actions taken in reliance upon it.
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