Bayonne, NJ Rental Inspections: Tenant Complaint Process (2026)

Bayonne City Code § 21-12.1 designates the Health Officer as agent for residential landlords to arrange emergency fuel oil delivery at a reasonable price, or to engage a licensed plumber to repair a failed heating system, in order to restore proper heat to a rented residential property. The Health Officer can direct the fuel dealer or plumber to bill the landlord directly, or supply a City voucher for payment, and may sue in Superior Court, County District Court or Municipal Court to recover the City's costs, plus a civil penalty under the Emergency Fuel Oil Delivery Act, N.J.S.A.

26:3-31.4. Section 21-12.2 sets the procedure and applicability: the Health Officer must first determine that the health and safety of tenants requires emergency fuel or repairs; the tenant or a representative must first make a bona fide attempt to notify the landlord and the landlord must have failed to act, after which the tenant lodges a complaint with the Division of Health or another appropriate City agency; and the trigger thresholds are at least 12 hours elapsed since the complaint with outside temperature continuously below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, or at least 4 hours with temperature at or below 32 degrees.

"Lack of heat" is defined by cross-reference to the § 21-11 minimum-heat standard. The Health Officer must first try the landlord's registered fuel supplier or usual heating service provider before turning to an alternate contractor. Section 21-12.3 exempts owner-occupied properties of five units or fewer from this emergency process, though landlords of those properties still must supply heat under § 21-11.