SENATE BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

[Second Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 4899

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  DECEMBER 15, 2025

      The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Assembly Bill No. 4899 (2R).

      As amended, this bill prohibits a landlord, or a landlord’s agent, from requiring an application or other similar fee, to apply to lease or sublease a residential rental property, which exceeds $50.  The bill establishes a penalty for a landlord’s violation of the bill of $750 for a first offense and $1,000 for each subsequent offense, enforceable in an action brought by the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety (director) or the Attorney General.  The bill requires $250 from the collected penalty to be remitted to the applicant or prospective tenant.  The bill also would exempt from the requirements of the bill: (1) dwelling units located in a one-family or two-family dwelling that are offered for rent; and (2) licensees of the New Jersey Real Estate Commission, except in cases where the licensee is the landlord of the rental unit.

      This bill requires the director to adopt rules and regulations setting forth a mechanism for applicants or prospective tenants to report violations of the bill, which is required to be made available to tenants or prospective applicants on the Internet website of the Division of Consumer Affairs (division).  The bill additionally requires the Director of the division to annually adjust the fee limitation under the bill to account for changes in the Consumer Price Index, and annually publish the applicable fee limitation on the division’s Internet website.  This bill would take effect on the first day of the fourth month next following enactment; the director, however, would be permitted to take anticipatory action necessary to effectuate the provisions of the bill.

      As amended and reported by the committee, Assembly Bill No. 4899 (2R) is identical to the Senate Committee Substitute for Senate Bill Nos. 3659 and 3276, which was also amended and reported by the committee on this date.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to:  (1) provide an exemption for licensees of the New Jersey Real Estate Commission, except in cases where the licensee is the landlord of the rental unit; and (2) change the penalty from $1,500 for each offense to $750 for a first offense and $1,000 for each subsequent offense.

FISCAL IMPACT:

      This bill is not certified as requiring a fiscal note.