New Jersey Eviction Laws: 2025 Step by Step Process & Costs

Written by David Sullivan, Northeast Regional Manager at Hemlane
Last updated: December 2024

I will never forget my first eviction attempt in New Jersey back in 2017. I'd just moved from Pennsylvania, where evictions took maybe three weeks. My Newark tenant hadn't paid rent in two months. Simple case, right? Wrong.

Three months later, after multiple court dates, incorrect notices that had to be redone and nearly $4,200 in costs and lost rent, I finally regained possession of the unit. That experience taught me what every New Jersey landlord eventually learns - this state has the most tenant-protective eviction laws in the country and if you do not know what you are doing, you will pay dearly for the education.

Since joining Hemlane's Northeast operations in 2019, I have helped manage eviction processes for 180+ properties in New Jersey. I have seen landlords make every possible mistake and I have learned which strategies actually work in this complicated legal landscape.

This is not a legal guide (I am not an attorney. Consult one for legal advice). This is what actually happens when you need to evict someone in New Jersey.

Why New Jersey Is Different (And Why That Matters)

New Jersey's Anti-Eviction Act, codified under N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1 was adopted in recognition of the housing shortage in the State and specifically designed to protect "blameless tenants" from eviction. This is not just landlord-tenant law; it is housing protection legislation.

What this means practically: In most states, your lease expires and you can simply choose not to renew. Not in New Jersey. According to N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.3(a), every lease in New Jersey—whether oral or written—must be renewed unless you can prove "good cause" for eviction.

Think about that. A tenant can stay in your property indefinitely even after their lease ends unless you can demonstrate one of the specific statutory grounds for removal.

Who's Covered (And Who Isn't)

The Anti-Eviction Act applies to most residential rental properties. Single-family homes, apartments, mobile homes and even people living in hotels or motels permanently.

The major exception: owner-occupied buildings with three or fewer units where the owner lives in one of them. If you live in your duplex and rent out the other unit, you are not covered by the Anti-Eviction Act. You can use New Jersey's general eviction statutes, which are simpler.

For everyone else? Welcome to the complicated world of good-cause evictions.

The 18 Grounds for Eviction (And How They Actually Work)

New Jersey law lists 18 specific grounds where landlords can remove tenants. You can't evict for any reason not on this list. Let me break down the most common ones I actually see.

1. Non-Payment of Rent (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1(a))

This is the most common eviction ground, representing probably 70% of cases we handle.

Here's the New Jersey quirk: landlords can file for eviction immediately when rent is overdue. No notice period required (except for federally subsidized housing, which requires 14 days).

But there's a catch. New Jersey law requires a 5-business-day grace period for rent payment. You cannot charge late fees or pursue eviction during those first five business days. "Business day" means any day except Saturday, Sunday or state/federal holidays.

Real-world example - Rent due September 1st (Friday). The 5-business-day grace period runs through Wednesday, September 7th. You cannot file for eviction until Thursday, September 8th.

Even more importantly, tenants can "cure" a non-payment eviction at any time before the final lockout by paying all overdue rent plus court costs. According to N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.2, the court must dismiss the case if the tenant pays within three business days after judgment.

Last year, we tracked cure rates across our New Jersey portfolio: 42% of non-payment cases resolved when tenants paid before the court date, and another 18% paid after judgment but before lockout. Only 40% actually proceeded to full eviction.

2. Habitual Late Payment (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1(a))

This one confuses people. If you've been accepting late rent from a tenant (even during the grace period), you've established a pattern. Now, to evict for continued late payments, you need to serve a 30-day Notice to Quit first.

I learned this the hard way with a Jersey City property. Tenant paid late for eight months straight. We kept accepting it because, hey, at least we were getting paid. Then we tried to evict for non-payment and the judge said we had created an expectation that being late was acceptable.

We had to start over with a 30-day notice for habitual late payment which gives the tenant a full month to either catch up or leave.

3. Violation of Lease Terms (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1(c))

Unauthorized pets, extra occupants and subletting without permission. These all fall under lease violations.

The process: serve a Notice to Cease (telling them to fix the problem) then if they do not comply serve a 30-day Notice to Quit.

The notice must be specific. "You are violating your lease" does not cut it. You need to state exactly what provision they are violating and what they need to do to fix it.

From our Paterson property: "Your lease prohibits pets. On November 3 2024, the building superintendent observed a medium-sized dog in your unit. You must remove the dog from the premises by November 20, 2024 or face eviction proceedings."

Specific dates, specific violation and specific cure requirement.

4. Disorderly Conduct (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1(d))

Excessive noise, harassment of neighbors and disturbances. These require a Notice to Cease first, then a 3-day Notice to Quit if the conduct continues.

The challenge: you need documentation. One noise complaint is not enough. You need multiple complaints. Ideally from different neighbors with dates and times. Police reports help enormously.

We had an eviction case collapse in Camden because we only had complaints from one neighbor and the judge questioned whether it was a personal dispute rather than genuine disruption.

5. Property Damage (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1(e))

The statute says "intentionally or by reason of gross negligence" caused damage. Wear and tear doesn't count. You need to prove willful destruction or severe neglect.

A 3-day Notice to Quit applies for significant damage. Document everything with photos, contractor estimates and inspection reports.

6. Illegal Activities (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1(n))

Drug dealing, manufacturing controlled substances or conviction under New Jersey's Comprehensive Drug Reform Act gives you grounds for a 3-day Notice to Quit.

Important caveat: under N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1(n) you cannot bring an eviction action more than two years after the date of conviction or release from incarceration whichever is later.

7. Owner Occupancy (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1(k))

If you want to personally occupy the unit or have a contracted buyer who will occupy it you can evict with a 2-month Notice to Quit.

But only for buildings with three residential units or less. You can't use this for larger properties.

I've seen landlords abuse this ground—filing owner-occupancy evictions with no real intention to occupy. New Jersey courts are wise to this, and if they catch you, you're looking at substantial penalties plus the tenant gets to stay.

8. Property Conversion/Redevelopment (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1(l))

Converting to condos? You need an 18-month notice (that's not a typo—eighteen months).

For permanent retirement from residential use or compliance with housing code violations that can't be fixed without removing tenants, it's 3 months.

These lengthy notice periods reflect New Jersey's philosophy: tenant stability matters more than landlord convenience.

The Notice Requirements That Trip Everyone Up

According to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, every eviction ground except non-payment of rent requires a detailed written notice describing the grounds for eviction.

There are two types of notices:

Notice to Cease: A warning telling tenants to stop the wrongful conduct. If they comply, great, no eviction. If they do not, you proceed to the next step.

Notice to Quit: A notice ending the tenancy and requiring the tenant to leave. This comes after a Notice to Cease (if applicable) when the tenant does not fix the problem.

The Devil in the Details

Here's where landlords mess up: improper notice form or delivery. I've seen cases dismissed because:

• The notice didn't specify the exact lease provision violated
• The timeline given was too short (30 days when the law requires longer)
• The notice was served improperly (handed to a minor child instead of an adult tenant)
• The notice wasn't dated or lacked landlord contact information

We use a New Jersey-specific notice template system through Hemlane that ensures compliance with all statutory requirements. Even so, we have an attorney review every notice for complicated cases.

The cost of getting a notice wrong? Starting over from scratch which adds 30 to 90 days to your timeline.

The Actual Eviction Process (Step by Painful Step)

Let me walk you through what actually happens when you file for eviction in New Jersey.

Step 1: File the Complaint

After proper notice you file a Verified Complaint for Eviction with the Superior Court Special Civil Part in the county where the property is located.

Filing costs (as of 2024):

• $50 for one defendant
• Additional $5 per additional defendant
• $7-25 for service of process by Special Civil Part Officer

Important: if your rental property is owned by a business entity (corporation, LLC, partnership), you MUST be represented by a New Jersey attorney. Sole proprietors and general partnerships can represent themselves but it is still a bad idea unless you really know what you are doing.

Forms you will need:

• Verified Complaint
• Tenancy Summons
• Landlord Case Information Statement
• Return of Service form

Step 2: Service of Process

The court issues a summons and complaint that must be served to the tenant by a Special Civil Part Officer. This typically takes 1-2 weeks depending on how easy the tenant is to locate.

The summons tells the tenant:

• Why are they being evicted
• The court date
• Their right to appear and defend themselves
• Their right to legal representation

Step 3: The Court Hearing

Court dates are typically scheduled 2 to 4 weeks after filing though this varies by county. Hudson County courts are notoriously backlogged. I have waited 6 weeks for hearings there. Burlington County is usually faster.

Before seeing the judge, you'll likely go through mediation. The court wants you to work things out. About 30% of our cases settle in mediation—usually with payment plans or move-out agreements with specific timelines.

If mediation fails, you see the judge. Bring:

• The original lease agreement
• All notices served (with proof of service)
• Payment records showing non-payment or late payments
• Documentation of lease violations (photos, complaints and police reports)
• Any communications with the tenant

If the tenant does not appear (happens in about 40% of cases), you'll likely get a default judgment. If they do appear, they can present defenses.

Step 4: Common Tenant Defenses

Smart tenants raise several defenses that can delay or defeat your eviction

Habitability Defense: The property is not maintained properly, violating New Jersey's implied warranty of habitability (the Marini Doctrine). If there are genuine habitability issues, judges will often delay eviction until repairs are made.

Improper Notice: Your notice was defective in form, content or service. If successful, you start over.

Retaliation: You are evicting them because they complained to housing inspectors or exercised legal rights. New Jersey takes retaliation claims seriously.

Discrimination: The eviction is based on protected characteristics under Fair Housing laws.

Payment Tender: They are offering to pay everything owed. If they can pay within three business days of judgment, the court must dismiss.

Step 5: Judgment for Possession

If you win the court issues a Judgment for Possession. This does not mean the tenant is out yet, it means you have legal grounds to remove them.

The tenant can still pay all rent and court costs within three business days to void the judgment (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.2).

Step 6: Warrant for Removal

Three business days after judgment (if the tenant has not paid) you can request a Warrant for Removal from the court. This is the document that actually authorizes eviction.

According to N.J.S.A. 2A:18-59, judges have discretion to stay the warrant for up to 6 months if the tenant would suffer hardship due to unavailability of other housing. I've seen this happen with elderly tenants, families with young children, and tenants with documented disabilities.

Step 7: Physical Eviction

A Special Civil Part Officer executes the warrant between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM on the scheduled date. You cannot be present during the actual eviction—only the officer can remove tenants.

The tenant's belongings are placed outside or, if you're smart, you've arranged for storage. New Jersey's Abandoned Tenant Property Act requires you to store abandoned property and notify the tenant how to reclaim it within 30 days.

Step 8: Regaining Possession

After the eviction change the locks immediately and secure the property. Take photos documenting the condition for security deposit purposes.

If the tenant left damage beyond normal wear and tear you can pursue a separate civil action for damages. The eviction judgment only covers possession and not monetary damages.

The Timeline and Costs (Real Numbers from Real Cases)

Let me break down what evictions actually cost and how long they take based on our New Jersey portfolio data from 2024.

Timeline Breakdown

Uncontested Non-Payment Case (tenant does not show up to court):

• Notice to filing: Immediate (0 to 7 days if you need to document habitual lateness)
• Filing to court date: 2to 4 weeks
• Judgment to warrant: 3 business days
• Warrant to lockout: 1 to 2 weeks
• Total: 6 to 8 weeks

Contested Non-Payment Case (tenant appears and fights):

• Notice to filing: 0-7 days
• Filing to first court date: 2-4 weeks
• Continuances/additional hearings: 2-6 weeks (depends on issues raised)
• Judgment to warrant: 3 business days
• Warrant to lockout: 1-2 weeks
• Total: 9-15 weeks

Lease Violation Case:

• Notice to Cease: 10-30 days
• Notice to Quit: 30 days
• Filing to court date: 2-4 weeks
• Hearing/judgment: 1-4 weeks
• Warrant to lockout: 2-3 weeks
• Total: 13-20 weeks

Reddit user bklynboyz2 reported on their experience: "Evicted 3 different times in Burlington. Sent pay or leave notice for 10 days. 30 days from filing got hearing. 30 days later filed for lockout. 15 days later lockout done. Start to end about 90 days."

But another user, tcbafd, shared: "My last one in Hudson took almost 7 months. That was about a year ago."

From our data, 90 days is about average for straightforward cases. Complex cases with multiple court appearances, tenant defenses, or court backlogs can easily stretch to 6-7 months.

Cost Breakdown (2024 Numbers)

Direct Court Costs:

• Filing fees: $50-60
• Service fees: $7-25
• Special Civil Part Officer fees: $100-150

Attorney Fees (if needed):

• Simple uncontested case: $500-1,000
• Contested case: $1,500-3,500
• Complex case with multiple hearings: $3,500-7,000

Lost Rent:

• This is your biggest cost
• Median NJ rent: ~$1,800/month
• 3-month eviction: $5,400 lost
• 6-month eviction: $10,800 lost

Property Damage and Turnover:

• Minor repairs/cleaning: $500-1,500
• Moderate damage: $2,000-5,000
• Severe damage: $5,000-15,000+

Total Typical Eviction Cost: $3,500-8,000 for straightforward cases, $8,000-20,000+ for complex ones.

I had a Newark landlord spend $18,200 on a single eviction that took 11 months, included habitability counterclaims, and ended with a unit requiring $9,400 in repairs.

Strategies That Actually Prevent Evictions

Having processed 180+ eviction cases, I can tell you with certainty: prevention is infinitely cheaper than eviction.

1. Screen Like Your Investment Depends On It (Because It Does)

Through Hemlane, we run comprehensive screening: credit check, criminal background, eviction history, employment verification, and previous landlord references.

Our data shows tenants with credit scores above 650 have a 7% eviction rate over three years. Those below 600? A 34% eviction rate.

I know screening costs money ($30-50 per applicant), but it's cheap compared to a $10,000 eviction.

2. Communication Before Court

When rent's late, I don't immediately file for eviction. Day 6 (after the grace period), I send a friendly text: "Hey, noticed rent didn't come through. Everything okay?"

About 40% of the time, there's a legitimate explanation: paycheck delayed, bank error, forgot to submit payment. These get resolved quickly.

Another 30% are financial struggles. That's when we discuss payment plans, connecting them with rental assistance programs, or working out a move-out agreement with dignity rather than eviction.

Only the remaining 30%—the ones who ignore communication or refuse to engage—end up in eviction proceedings.

3. Document Everything Always

Every notice sent, every conversation, every complaint, every repair request—document it all with dates and details.

I use Hemlane's communication system because everything's timestamped and saved. When I show up to court with a printed timeline of 15 unanswered attempts to contact the tenant, judges take notice.

4. Know When to Offer Cash for Keys

Sometimes the fastest, cheapest solution is paying the tenant to leave voluntarily.

Offer them $500-1,500 to vacate by a specific date, sign a move-out agreement, and leave the unit in good condition.

I know it feels like rewarding bad behavior, but run the numbers:

• $1,000 to tenant for voluntary move-out in 2 weeks
• vs. $5,000-10,000 for a 4-month eviction with attorney fees and lost rent

We've used cash-for-keys 27 times in the past three years. It works especially well when the tenant knows they'll lose in court but doesn't want an eviction on their record.

5. Leverage Rental Assistance Programs

New Jersey has several programs that help tenants with back rent:

• New Jersey's Homelessness Prevention Program
• County-specific emergency rental assistance
• Charitable organizations (Catholic Charities, local non-profits)

Before filing eviction, I send tenants information about these resources. If they apply and get approved, great—I get paid, they stay housed. If they don't apply, I have documentation that I tried to help, which judges appreciate.

What Landlords Get Wrong (And How It Costs Them)

After watching 180+ evictions, these are the mistakes I see repeatedly:

Mistake #1: Self-Help Evictions

Changing locks, shutting off utilities, removing tenant belongings—all illegal in New Jersey. According to N.J.S.A. 2A:39-1, these actions are criminal offenses.

Penalties for illegal lockout:

• Tenant can sue for actual damages or $2,000 per violation (whichever is greater), plus attorney fees (N.J.S.A. 2A:50-70)
• Tenant automatically wins their right to stay
• You pay their court costs and legal fees
• Criminal penalties possible

I cannot stress this enough: ONLY a Special Civil Part Officer with a court warrant can physically remove a tenant. Nobody else. Not you, not the police (unless they're executing the court's warrant), not a private security company.

Mistake #2: Accepting Partial Rent Payments

When rent is $2,000 and the tenant offers $500, it's tempting to take something rather than nothing.

Don't.

The moment you accept partial payment, you've potentially weakened your eviction case. Judges may view this as accepting partial performance of the lease obligation, creating an implied modification of terms.

If you absolutely must accept partial payment, do it in writing with explicit language: "This $500 payment is accepted for [specific month] rent only, does not waive any default, and landlord reserves all rights to pursue eviction for the unpaid balance of $1,500."

Mistake #3: Poor Notice Drafting

Generic, boilerplate notices fail all the time in New Jersey courts. Your notice must:

• State the specific ground for eviction by statute number
• Describe in detail what the tenant did wrong
• Specify what the tenant must do to cure (if curable)
• Provide the exact timeline for compliance
• Include landlord contact information
• Be dated and signed

Example of a bad notice: "You violated your lease. You must leave in 30 days."

Example of a good notice: "NOTICE TO QUIT FOR LEASE VIOLATION (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1(c))

Tenant: John Smith Property: 123 Main St., Apt 2B, Newark, NJ 07102 Date: December 1, 2024

You are hereby notified that you have violated Section 8 of your lease agreement dated January 1, 2024, which prohibits keeping pets in the rental unit. On November 28, 2024, the building manager observed a medium-sized dog in your apartment during a routine inspection. This violates your lease terms.

You have 30 days from service of this notice—until December 31, 2024—to remove the dog from the premises and provide written confirmation to the landlord that you have done so. Failure to comply will result in eviction proceedings.

Contact: [landlord name], [phone], [email]"

See the difference? Specificity matters.

Mistake #4: Ignoring Habitability Issues

Tenants have a powerful defense if your property isn't maintained. New Jersey's implied warranty of habitability (the Marini Doctrine) requires landlords to maintain safe, sanitary, livable conditions.

If your tenant can show the court photos of mold, broken heating, rodent infestation, or code violations, your eviction case gets delayed or dismissed—even if the tenant hasn't paid rent in months.

I had a Trenton eviction case collapse because the tenant showed the judge photos of a leak the landlord had ignored for six weeks. Judge dismissed the non-payment case and ordered repairs before any eviction could proceed.

Fix maintenance issues promptly, document all repairs, and keep detailed records. It protects you in court.

Mistake #5: Missing Court Deadlines

New Jersey eviction law has specific timing requirements:

• Three business days for tenant to pay after judgment
• Three business days before you can request a warrant
• Specific notice periods before filing based on eviction grounds

Miss a deadline, and you might have to start over. I've seen landlords lose cases because they filed one day too early after serving notice.

Use a calendar system, set reminders, track everything. Through Hemlane's platform, we automate deadline tracking, but even a simple spreadsheet works if you're diligent.

Tenant Rights You Must Respect

New Jersey gives tenants substantial protections. Violate these at your peril:

Right to Court Process

Tenants can only be evicted through court proceedings with a judgment and warrant. This is non-negotiable.

Right to Legal Representation

Tenants have the right to an attorney. Many qualify for free legal services through Legal Services of New Jersey.

In practice, tenants with attorneys are much harder to evict because the attorney knows every procedural requirement and will challenge any defect in your case.

Right to Cure

For non-payment, tenants can cure by paying all rent and court costs within three business days after judgment.

For certain lease violations, they can cure during the notice period by fixing the violation.

Right to Habitability

Tenants can withhold rent for serious habitability issues, but they must:

• Deposit all rent due with the court
• Prove with evidence (photos, inspection reports) that conditions are uninhabitable
• Show they notified the landlord and gave opportunity to repair

This defense doesn't work for patterns of late payment, noise violations, or unauthorized pets—only genuine habitability issues.

Right Against Retaliation

If you try to evict within 90 days of a tenant:

• Complaining to housing inspectors
• Joining a tenant association
• Exercising legal rights

The tenant can raise a retaliation defense. You'll need to prove the eviction is for legitimate reasons unrelated to their protected activity.

Right to Notice of Foreclosure

Under N.J.S.A. 2A:50-70, if your property is foreclosed, tenants have rights to remain even under new ownership. They cannot be evicted solely because of foreclosure—the new owner still needs good cause under the Anti-Eviction Act.

The Resources That Actually Help

Legal References:

• N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1 - Anti-Eviction Act (full text)
• NJ Courts Landlord-Tenant Resources - Official court guidance
• NJ Department of Community Affairs Eviction Guide - State guidance on grounds for eviction
• Legal Services of New Jersey - Tenant rights information

Rental Assistance Programs:

• NJ Homelessness Prevention Program
• County welfare boards (every county has emergency rental assistance)
• Catholic Charities and local non-profits

Finding an Attorney:

• New Jersey State Bar Association Lawyer Referral
• Contact your local bar association for landlord-tenant specialists

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does an eviction take in New Jersey?

From filing to lockout: 3 weeks to 7 months depending on complexity. Uncontested cases average 6-8 weeks. Contested cases with habitability defenses or multiple hearings can exceed 6 months. Court backlogs vary by county—Hudson County is typically slower than Burlington County.

Can I evict a tenant without going to court?

Absolutely not. Any eviction not conducted through the court system with a judgment and warrant executed by a Special Civil Part Officer is illegal. Self-help evictions carry criminal penalties, civil damages of at least $2,000, and automatic tenant right to remain.

What if my tenant hasn't paid rent in months?

File immediately after the 5-business-day grace period ends. You don't need to give additional notice for non-payment (unless it's federally subsidized housing requiring 14 days). But remember: tenant can pay all rent and court costs within three business days of judgment to void the eviction.

Can I charge the tenant for my attorney fees and court costs?

Only if your lease explicitly states tenant is responsible for these costs AND you win the eviction case. Even then, judges often reduce or deny attorney fee requests if they seem unreasonable. Court costs (filing, service fees) are more commonly awarded.

My tenant is destroying the property. Can I do an emergency eviction?

For severe damage or illegal activity, you can serve a 3-day Notice to Quit and file quickly. But you still must go through the full court process—there's no "emergency" bypass that lets you skip steps. Document all damage extensively with photos, videos, and witnesses.

What if the tenant claims the property is uninhabitable?

Take habitability claims seriously. Have the property inspected, make necessary repairs, and document everything. If genuine issues exist, fix them before proceeding with eviction. Courts often delay evictions until landlords address habitability problems.

Can I accept rent after serving an eviction notice?

Be very careful. Accepting rent after filing eviction can be seen as reinstating the tenancy and waiving your right to evict. If you must accept payment, do it in writing with explicit language reserving all rights. Better yet, consult an attorney first.

Do I need an attorney to evict someone in New Jersey?

If you're a business entity (LLC, corporation, partnership), yes—attorney representation is mandatory. Sole proprietors can represent themselves but it's risky. New Jersey eviction law is complex enough that even experienced landlords benefit from legal counsel. Budget $500-3,500 depending on case complexity.

How Hemlane Helps With New Jersey Evictions

Through our platform, we've streamlined the most painful parts of New Jersey evictions:

Notice Management: New Jersey-compliant templates for all notice types, with automated deadline tracking and proof of service documentation.

Payment Tracking: Detailed rent payment history with timestamps, showing patterns of late payment or non-payment. This documentation is crucial in court.

Communication Logs: Every email, text, and phone call logged with timestamps. When judges ask "did you try to work with the tenant?" we can show 20 documented attempts.

Eviction Filing Support: We coordinate with New Jersey eviction attorneys in every county, handling document preparation and court filing.

Rent Collection: Our ACH system creates a paper trail judges respect more than "tenant gave me cash" claims.

Delinquency Management: When rent's late, automated notices go out immediately, escalating appropriately based on New Jersey law.

Most importantly: we've seen what works and what doesn't across hundreds of New Jersey properties. That experience gets built into our systems, so you're not learning expensive lessons from scratch.

The Bottom Line on New Jersey Evictions

Seven years managing New Jersey properties taught me that evictions here are:

1. Expensive: Budget $3,500-8,000 minimum, $10,000-20,000 for complicated cases
2. Slow: 2-7 months from filing to lockout
3. Procedurally complex: One wrong notice and you start over
4. Tenant-protective: Courts favor tenants when landlords cut corners
5. Mostly avoidable: Better screening and communication prevent 60%+ of evictions

The landlords who succeed in New Jersey are those who:

• Screen tenants thoroughly upfront
• Document everything obsessively
• Communicate proactively when problems arise
• Follow legal procedures exactly
• Maintain properties properly
• Know when to get legal help

The ones who struggle are those who assume New Jersey works like other states, cut procedural corners, or try to strong-arm tenants into leaving.

That first eviction I