Winslow Township, located in Camden County, is one of the largest municipalities by land area in southern New Jersey, encompassing communities such as Sicklerville, Cedarbrook, and Ancora. While Winslow is predominantly a bedroom community with a mix of single-family homes and rental properties, a meaningful share of its residents rent their homes and rely on New Jersey's statewide landlord-tenant framework for protections.
New Jersey is widely regarded as one of the most tenant-protective states in the nation. Renters in Winslow benefit from the state's Anti-Eviction Act, which requires landlords to prove a specific just-cause reason before removing a tenant, as well as stringent security deposit regulations, implied warranty of habitability standards, and strong anti-retaliation provisions. Winslow has adopted a local rent control ordinance that caps annual rent increases under a CPI-based or percentage formula set by the municipality; confirm the current allowable increase with the local rent control board.
This page summarizes the key tenant rights laws that apply to renters in Winslow, NJ, with citations to the specific New Jersey statutes that govern your tenancy. This content is informational only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have a specific legal dispute, consult a licensed New Jersey attorney or contact a local legal aid organization.
Yes — Winslow has rent control. Winslow 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 Winslow rent control board.
New Jersey provides some of the strongest statewide tenant protections in the United States. The following key protections apply to all residential renters in Winslow Township.
Implied Warranty of Habitability (N.J.S.A. 2A:42-85 et seq.; Marini v. Ireland, 56 N.J. 130 (1970)): Landlords in New Jersey are legally required to maintain rental units in a safe, habitable condition. This means working heat, plumbing, electricity, and structural integrity. If a landlord fails to make necessary repairs after being notified, tenants may have remedies including rent withholding, repair-and-deduct, or lease termination under certain conditions.
Security Deposit Rules (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19 through 46:8-26): Landlords may collect a security deposit of no more than one and one-half months' rent. Deposits must be held in a separate, interest-bearing account, and landlords must notify tenants in writing of the bank name and account information within 30 days of receiving the deposit. Upon lease termination, the deposit plus interest must be returned within 30 days.
Anti-Eviction Act (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1): A landlord may only evict a residential tenant for one of the specific just-cause grounds enumerated in the statute, such as nonpayment of rent, disorderly conduct, destruction of property, or owner occupancy. A landlord cannot evict a tenant simply because the lease has expired.
Notice Requirements (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-56): For month-to-month tenancies, a landlord must provide at least one full rental period's written notice before terminating the tenancy. A tenant must also provide proper notice before vacating.
Anti-Retaliation Protections (N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.10 through 2A:42-10.14): Landlords are prohibited from retaliating against tenants who report housing code violations, contact government inspectors, or exercise any other legal tenant rights. Retaliation may include rent increases, eviction notices, or reduction of services. A court may presume retaliation if adverse action occurs within 90 days of protected activity.
Prohibition on Lockouts and Utility Shutoffs (N.J.S.A. 2A:39-1; New Jersey Criminal Code N.J.S.A. 2C:33-2): Self-help evictions — including changing locks, removing doors, or deliberately shutting off utilities — are illegal in New Jersey. A landlord must obtain a court judgment and have a Special Civil Part officer carry out any lawful removal.
Truth in Renting Act (N.J.S.A. 46:8-43 et seq.): Landlords renting to four or more tenants must provide new tenants with a copy of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs' Truth in Renting statement, which outlines tenant rights and responsibilities.
Security deposit rules for Winslow Township renters are governed entirely by New Jersey state law under N.J.S.A. 46:8-19 through 46:8-26.
Maximum Deposit Amount: A landlord may not collect a security deposit exceeding one and one-half (1.5) times the monthly rent. For example, if your rent is $1,400 per month, the maximum deposit is $2,100. This cap applies at the start of the tenancy; subsequent increases are limited to 10% per year (N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.2).
Holding Requirements: Landlords must place the security deposit in a federally insured interest-bearing account at a New Jersey bank, separate from their own funds. Within 30 days of receiving the deposit, they must provide the tenant with written notice of the name and address of the banking institution, the type of account, and the current rate of interest (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19).
Return Deadline: After the tenancy ends, the landlord has 30 days to return the security deposit plus accrued interest, or to provide an itemized written statement of deductions and return the balance (N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1). Deductions are only permitted for unpaid rent or damage beyond normal wear and tear.
Penalty for Non-Compliance: If a landlord fails to return the deposit or provide an itemized statement within 30 days, the tenant is entitled to recover double the amount of the security deposit wrongfully withheld, plus court costs and reasonable attorney's fees (N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1). Tenants should document the condition of the unit at move-in and move-out with photos and written records to protect their claims.
Eviction in Winslow Township must follow the formal legal process established by New Jersey's Anti-Eviction Act (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1) and the Landlord-Tenant statute (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-53 et seq.). The process is handled in the Special Civil Part of the New Jersey Superior Court, Camden County Vicinage.
Step 1 — Just Cause Required: A landlord must have a legally recognized reason (just cause) to evict a residential tenant. Permitted grounds under N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1 include: nonpayment of rent, habitual late payment of rent, disorderly conduct, destruction of property, violation of a lease term after written notice to cure, engaging in drug-related activity, owner or immediate family member occupancy of the unit (with conditions), or substantial rehabilitation of the property (with conditions). A landlord cannot evict a tenant simply because a lease term has ended.
Step 2 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, the landlord must provide the appropriate written notice. For nonpayment of rent, this is a written demand for rent (no statutory minimum days specified, but typically three days is customary). For other lease violations, the landlord must provide notice to cease and, if the violation continues, a notice to quit — timeframes vary by ground (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.2).
Step 3 — Filing a Complaint: If the tenant does not vacate or cure the violation, the landlord files a Complaint for Possession in the Special Civil Part, Camden County Superior Court. The tenant is served with a summons and a hearing is scheduled, typically within a few weeks.
Step 4 — Court Hearing: Both landlord and tenant have the right to appear and present their case. Tenants may raise defenses including improper notice, lack of just cause, retaliation, or discrimination. If the landlord prevails, the court issues a Judgment for Possession.
Step 5 — Warrant for Removal: After a judgment, the landlord must obtain a Warrant for Removal. The tenant is typically given three to three-and-a-half business days after the warrant is served before a Special Civil Part Officer may physically remove the tenant and their belongings (N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.16).
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal: A landlord may not lock out a tenant, remove doors or windows, or shut off essential utilities (heat, water, electricity) to force a tenant to leave. Doing so is a criminal offense under N.J.S.A. 2C:33-2 and may expose the landlord to civil liability. If a landlord attempts a self-help eviction, tenants should call local police and contact legal aid immediately.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws are complex and subject to change; while we strive to keep this content accurate and up to date as of April 2026, we cannot guarantee that all information reflects the most current statutory text, court decisions, or local ordinances. If you are facing an eviction, a dispute with your landlord, or any other legal matter, you should consult a licensed New Jersey attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization in Camden County. Do not rely solely on this page to make legal decisions about your tenancy.
Averigua si tu vivienda está cubierta por el control de renta o las protecciones para inquilinos.
Usa el verificador de direcciones →Te enviaremos un correo si cambian el tope de renta, las reglas de cobertura o las protecciones para inquilinos: sin spam, cancela cuando quieras.