NJ Lease Builder

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Landlord(s)

Tenant(s)

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Property

Premises address

Lease Term

Start date

End date

Rent

Monthly rent ($)

Due day of month

Payment method

Late fee ($)

Grace period (days)

Security Deposit

Amount ($) — max 1.5× monthly rent, first year

Utilities Tenant Pays

Other utility (optional)

Pets

Allowed Not allowed

Restrictions (type/weight/number)

Pet deposit/fee ($) — separate from security deposit

Have both parties sign below in the document panel first — signatures and typed text print together.

RESIDENTIAL LEASE AGREEMENT

State of New Jersey

This Residential Lease Agreement ("Lease") is entered into and made effective as of the date of last signature below, by and between the Landlord and the Tenant(s) named below, for the lease of the residential premises described herein, in accordance with the applicable laws of the State of New Jersey, including the New Jersey Anti-Eviction Act (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1 et seq.), the New Jersey Truth-in-Renting Act (N.J.S.A. 46:8-27 et seq.), and N.J.S.A. 46:8-19 et seq. governing security deposits.

1. Parties

Landlord(s): ___________ ("Landlord")

Tenant(s): ___________ ("Tenant," jointly and severally responsible for all obligations under this Lease if more than one)

2. Premises

Landlord agrees to lease to Tenant, and Tenant agrees to lease from Landlord, the residential premises located at:

___________ ("Premises")

The Premises shall be used solely as a private residential dwelling for Tenant and Tenant's immediate household, and for no other purpose, including any commercial or business use, without Landlord's prior written consent.

3. Lease Term

This Lease shall begin on ___________ and shall end on ___________ (the "Term"). Tenant shall vacate and surrender the Premises on or before the last day of the Term unless the parties agree in writing to a renewal, extension, or a new lease. If Tenant remains in possession after the end of the Term without a new written agreement, Tenant shall be considered a month-to-month tenant subject to the same terms and conditions of this Lease, and to all rights afforded under the New Jersey Anti-Eviction Act.

4. Rent

Monthly Rent: $___________, due in advance on the ___________ day of each calendar month.
First Payment: The first month's rent is due on or before the lease start date above.
Payment Method: ___________
Late Charges: No late fee specified.
Returned Payments: Tenant shall be responsible for any bank fee actually incurred by Landlord as a result of a returned or dishonored payment.

Note: New Jersey law does not permit rent increases during a fixed lease term. Any change to the rent amount after the Term ends requires proper written notice consistent with New Jersey law.

5. Security Deposit

Amount: $___________, which may not exceed 1.5 times the monthly rent for the first year of the Term, consistent with N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.2.
Deposit of Funds: Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 46:8-19, Landlord shall deposit the security deposit in an interest-bearing New Jersey bank or savings and loan association account, and shall, within thirty (30) days of receipt, notify Tenant in writing of the name and address of the institution, the type of account, and the current rate of interest.
Annual Statement: Landlord shall provide Tenant with an annual statement of interest earned, as required by N.J.S.A. 46:8-19.
Return of Deposit: Within thirty (30) days after the termination of Tenant's lease, lease renewal, or vacating of the Premises, whichever occurs last, Landlord shall return the security deposit plus interest, less any lawful deductions for unpaid rent or damages beyond normal wear and tear, together with an itemized statement of any deductions, as required by N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1.
No Use as Last Month's Rent: Tenant may not apply the security deposit toward the last month's rent unless Landlord agrees in writing.

6. Utilities

Tenant shall be solely responsible for arranging and paying for the following utilities and services in Tenant's own name for the duration of the Term:

None selected.

Landlord shall be responsible for any utilities or services not listed above.

7. Pets

Pets are not permitted on the Premises.

This section does not apply to, and does not limit, any right Tenant may have to keep an assistance or service animal as protected under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination and the federal Fair Housing Act, regardless of breed, weight, or the restrictions stated above.

8. Maintenance and Repairs

Landlord shall maintain the Premises in habitable condition consistent with the New Jersey implied warranty of habitability, and shall keep the Premises and common areas in good repair, in compliance with applicable housing codes.
Tenant shall keep the Premises clean and sanitary, and shall promptly notify Landlord in writing of any condition requiring repair.
Tenant shall be responsible for damage caused by Tenant's negligence, misuse, or pet(s) as described in Section 7.
Tenant shall not make alterations to the Premises without Landlord's prior written consent.

9. Right of Entry

Landlord shall have the right to enter the Premises to inspect, make repairs, or show the unit to prospective tenants or purchasers, upon reasonable prior notice to Tenant (customarily at least one day, except in a bona fide emergency), consistent with Tenant's right to quiet enjoyment under New Jersey law.

10. Quiet Enjoyment

Landlord covenants that Tenant, upon paying rent and performing the covenants of this Lease, shall peaceably and quietly hold and enjoy the Premises for the Term, without hindrance from Landlord.

11. Compliance with Law; Anti-Eviction Act

This Lease and Tenant's tenancy are subject to the protections of the New Jersey Anti-Eviction Act, N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1 et seq., which limits the grounds upon which Landlord may remove a residential tenant.

12. Truth-in-Renting

If required by N.J.S.A. 46:8-45 et seq., Landlord shall provide Tenant with a copy of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs' "Truth-in-Renting" guide at or before the start of the tenancy.

13. Lead-Based Paint Disclosure

If the Premises was constructed prior to 1978, Landlord shall provide Tenant with the federally required Lead-Based Paint Disclosure form and EPA pamphlet prior to occupancy, per 42 U.S.C. § 4852d.

14. Window Guards

Per N.J.S.A. 55:13A-7.13 et seq., Landlord shall, upon Tenant's written request, install window guards if a child ten years of age or younger resides or will reside in the Premises, at no cost to Tenant.

15. Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Landlord shall ensure the Premises is equipped with working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms per New Jersey law. Tenant shall not disable or tamper with such devices and shall promptly report any malfunction.

16. Assignment and Subletting

Tenant shall not assign this Lease or sublet all or any part of the Premises without Landlord's prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.

17. Default

If Tenant fails to pay rent when due, or otherwise fails to comply with a material term of this Lease, Landlord may pursue all remedies available under New Jersey law, including the New Jersey Anti-Eviction Act.

18. Surrender of Premises

Upon termination of this Lease, Tenant shall surrender the Premises in the same condition as at the start of the tenancy, reasonable wear and tear excepted, and shall remove all personal property and pets belonging to Tenant.

19. Governing Law

This Lease shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New Jersey. If any provision is found invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

20. Entire Agreement

This Lease constitutes the entire agreement between Landlord and Tenant regarding the Premises and supersedes all prior negotiations or agreements, whether written or oral. Any modification must be in writing and signed by both parties.

Signatures

By signing below, the parties acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agree to be bound by all terms of this Lease Agreement.

Landlord

Tenant

This document is a general template provided for convenience and does not constitute legal advice. Landlord and Tenant are encouraged to consult a licensed New Jersey attorney before signing, and to confirm current requirements (Truth-in-Renting, lead paint, rental registration/inspection) with the NJ Department of Community Affairs and the applicable municipality. Electronic signatures captured here are intended to satisfy the parties' mutual intent to sign electronically under the New Jersey Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (N.J.S.A. 12A:12-1 et seq.); retain a signed PDF copy for your records.