Free New Jersey lease review checked against state law.
Upload your New Jersey apartment, house or room lease. We compare every clause with 30 New Jersey laws, plus local rules where your city has them, and tie each flag to the statute behind it.
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In about two minutes you’ll see how many clauses work against you, how serious each one is, and what they could cost you over 12 months. No login, and your file is deleted after the analysis.
What a New Jersey lease can’t include
New Jersey caps deposits at one and a half months’ rent, requires good cause to evict or refuse to renew most tenants, and under the Truth in Renting Act bars leases that include terms violating tenants’ established rights. Paterson adds its own rent leveling rules.
- A deposit over 1½ months’ rentN.J. Stat. Ann. § 46:8-21.2
- A “non-refundable” deposit, or deductions mid-leaseN.J. Stat. Ann. § 46:8-21.1
- Ending the tenancy “for any reason or no reason”N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:18-61.4
- Legal fees that only run one wayN.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:18-61.66; N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:18-61.67
- Terms that strip tenants’ established rightsN.J. Stat. Ann. § 46:8-48
- Paying full rent no matter the conditionsN.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:42-96
- Rent only by autopay or online portalN.J. Stat. Ann. § 46:8-49.1
- No receipts for cash rentN.J. Stat. Ann. § 46:8-49.2
- Lockouts or retaking the unit without courtN.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:39-1
- Instant termination for taking in a subtenantN.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:18-61.1
Legal in New Jersey, even if it feels unfair
We flag what the law prohibits, not everything that’s inconvenient. These terms are lawful in New Jersey, so the report won’t call them illegal:
A late fee, for most tenants
New Jersey sets no general late-fee cap or grace period. The exception: seniors on Social Security or government pensions and recipients of SSDI, SSI or Work First New Jersey get a five-business-day grace period.
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:42-6.1
Everything we check in a New Jersey lease
Every rule below comes from official New Jersey or federal government text and was reviewed before it went live. Each citation links to that text.
Security deposits
Deposit limit
How the deposit is held
Return deadline
What can be deducted
Penalties for wrongful withholding
Rent, fees and charges
Late fee grace period
Rent receipts
Payment methods and convenience fees
Rent control and stabilization
Clauses the law voids
Repairs, safety and living conditions
Landlord’s duty to repair
Rent withholding and escrow
State lead-paint law
Federal lead-paint disclosure
Uninhabitable conditions
Entry and privacy
Notice before entry
Eviction, lockouts and ending a lease
Utility shutoffs
Retaliation
When retaliation is presumed
Just-cause eviction
Notice to quit
Grounds for eviction
Lockouts and self-help eviction
Penalties for illegal eviction
Early termination rights
Military and senior early termination
50 U.S.C. § 3955N.J. Stat. Ann. § 46:8-9.1N.J. Stat. Ann. § 46:8-9.2
Roommates and subletting
Subletting and assignment
Discrimination and fair housing
Protected classes
Vouchers and source of income
Families with children
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Assistance animals
City and county rules
Pick your city in the uploader and these local rules are checked on top of state law.
Paterson
Rent control and stabilization, Rent increase notice, Landlord’s duty to repair
New Jersey renter guides
Questions about New Jersey lease reviews
Is the New Jersey lease review free?
Yes. Upload your lease with no login and in about two minutes you’ll see how many clauses work against you, how serious each one is, and one flagged clause in full. The complete report and Action Kit are a one-time $8.99.
Which New Jersey laws does LeasePatrol check?
30 New Jersey statutes and regulations covering deposits, fees, repairs, entry, eviction and discrimination, plus the federal fair housing and lead-paint rules, and local rules in Paterson. The full list is on this page, each linked to the official text.
Does it apply city rules in New Jersey?
Yes, for Paterson. Pick your city in the uploader and its local rules are checked on top of state law. Leases elsewhere in New Jersey get the full state check.
Is this legal advice?
No. LeasePatrol is a software tool that compares your lease with the law and explains what it finds. If you’re facing an eviction or a lawsuit, talk to a tenant lawyer or your local legal aid office.
LeasePatrol provides rental law information, not legal advice, and is not a law firm.