SENATE COMMUNITY AND URBAN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 2970

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JUNE 1, 2026

      The Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee reports favorably and with committee amendments Senate Bill No. 2970.

      As amended and reported, this bill requires a residential landlord to accept a rent payment if made by a tenant or prospective tenant by cash, certified check, or money order, or through a commitment by any federal, State, or local rental assistance program or bona fide charitable organization, or other third party, on behalf of the tenant (enumerated payment methods). 

      Specifically, in addition to any other payment method provided by a landlord, including an electronic payment method, if a rent payment, including a renewal or an extension agreement payment, is made by a tenant during an applicable grace period, or up until the date when a warrant for removal is posted to the residential dwelling unit or a lockout is executed following the entry of a judgment of possession due to nonpayment of rent, the landlord is required to accept the rent payment if made by one of the enumerated payment methods.  The bill permits a tenant to make a rent payment through any combination of permitted sources or methods. 

      Under the bill, if a governmental rental assistance program or charitable organization provides a commitment to provide a rent payment, or portion thereof, then the portion of the payment that the program or organization is responsible for is to be considered as a valid payment.

      The bill establishes a penalty of $2,000 for a violation of the provisions of the bill and permits the enforcement process to be initiated by the Commissioner of Community Affairs or the Attorney General.  Additionally, a landlord who violates the bill would be subject, at the discretion of the tenant, to a separate cause of action by the tenant, who would be permitted to recover $2,000 from the landlord for each offense, in addition to reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses, court costs, expenses for expert witnesses, and other expenses incurred in providing a violation of the bill.  The bill expressly permits a tenant experiencing an eviction action may raise the violation of this section as a defense in any eviction action and apply the penalty to offset any lawfully-owed rental arrears. 

      This bill was prefiled for introduction in the 2026-2027 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.

COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS:

      The committee amended the bill to:

· remove a requirement of a residential landlord to accept a rent payment if made by a tenant or prospective tenant by personal check, and to remove the associated conditions for requiring acceptance of a personal check;

· expressly provide that a rent payment may be made by a friend, family member, or other third party on behalf of a tenant in compliance with the bill;

· provide that the bill permits a tenant to make a rent payment through any combination of permitted sources or methods;

· provide that if a rent payment is made within an applicable grace period, the payment is considered valid;

· provide that if a governmental rental assistance program or charitable organization is under a bona fide commitment to provide a rent payment, or portion thereof, then the portion of the payment that the program or organization is responsible for is to be considered as payment; and

· expressly permits a tenant experiencing an eviction action may raise the violation of this section as a defense in any eviction action and apply the penalty to offset any lawfully-owed rental arrears.