Every guide as an exit sign, grouped by route. Pick the exit that matches your problem.
Renting in NJSecurity deposits, repairs and heat, how eviction works and what limits rent increases.
EXIT 01Security depositsNew Jersey Security Deposit RulesThe limits, bank-account and notice rules that apply to most New Jersey rental deposits, what a landlord may deduct, the 30-day return deadline and what a tenant can do when the money does not come back.5 minEXIT 02Repairs and habitabilityRepairs in a New Jersey RentalWhat New Jersey landlords must keep in working order, the heat standard for larger buildings, how to give proper notice and the court-recognized remedies when vital repairs are ignored, from repair-and-deduct to rent withholding.4 minEXIT 03How eviction worksHow Eviction Works in New JerseyA step-by-step look at the New Jersey eviction process under the Anti-Eviction Act: the grounds a landlord must prove, the notices each ground requires, what happens in court, the timing of the warrant for removal and why lockouts are illegal.4 minEXIT 04Rent increasesRent Increases in New JerseyNew Jersey has no statewide rent control, yet a landlord cannot raise rent mid-lease, must end the old lease with proper notice, must follow any local ordinance and cannot impose an increase a court would find unconscionable.4 min
Buying & ContractsThe Consumer Fraud Act, home improvement contractors, buying a used car and the Lemon Law.
EXIT 05Consumer Fraud ActThe New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act in Plain LanguageWhat counts as an unlawful practice under New Jersey’s Consumer Fraud Act, everyday examples from refund policies to gift cards and car ads, the triple-damages remedy and how to file a complaint with the Division of Consumer Affairs.4 minEXIT 06Contractor disputesHiring a Home Improvement Contractor in New JerseyNew Jersey requires most home improvement contractors to register with the state, puts jobs over $500 in writing, lets homeowners cancel within three business days and bars demanding final payment before the work is done. Here is how to use those rules before and after something goes wrong.4 minEXIT 07Buying a used carBuying a Used Car in New JerseyWhat New Jersey and federal rules require of used car dealers: the window Buyers Guide, the mandatory dealer warranty under the Used Car Lemon Law, the disclosures a dealer cannot skip, why there is no automatic three-day cancellation and a pre-purchase checklist.4 minEXIT 08Lemon lawNew Jersey Lemon Law BasicsHow the New Jersey New Car and Used Car Lemon Laws work: coverage periods, the repair attempts that trigger a claim, the certified last-chance letter, the hearing before an administrative law judge, what a refund includes and the mileage deduction.5 min
Money, Courts & HelpDebt collectors, small claims court, utility shutoff protections and where to find free legal help.
EXIT 09Debt collectorsDealing With Debt Collectors in New JerseyThe federal debt collection rules that protect New Jersey residents: call hours and limits, the validation notice and 30-day dispute window, how to stop contact in writing, threats and tactics that are prohibited, and where to complain.4 minEXIT 10Small claims courtSmall Claims Court in New JerseyHow the Small Claims section of New Jersey’s Special Civil Part works: the $5,000 limit, which cases it hears, filing costs, choosing the right county, filling out the complaint and summons, and what to bring to the hearing.4 minEXIT 11Free legal helpFree Legal Help in New JerseyWhere New Jersey residents can get legal help without paying: the statewide legal services network and its regional programs, state agencies that take complaints for free, no-cost dispute processes like the Lemon Law hearings, and how to prepare before you call.4 minEXIT 12Utility shutoffsUtility Shutoff Protections in New JerseyThe Board of Public Utilities rules that limit when New Jersey utilities can disconnect a home, the November 15 to March 15 Winter Termination Program and who qualifies, protections for tenants when a landlord does not pay, and the assistance programs that help with overdue bills.4 min