Newark, NJ Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)
Key Facts
- Enforcing agency
- Dept. of Engineering, Office of Inspections and Enforcement
- Base fine
- up to $100 per violation, per day
- Heat minimum
- 68°F day / 65°F night, Oct 1-May 1
- Structural standard
- foundations, porches kept sound, § 18:3-1.9
- Repeat offense
- up to 1 jail day per $1 of fine
Summary
Newark's Housing Code puts upkeep squarely on the landlord: dwellings must stay in sound, hazard-free repair, weathertight, structurally sound, and heated to at least 68°F by day and 65°F overnight from October through May. The Department of Engineering's Office of Inspections and Enforcement enforces the code, and violators face fines plus a mandatory compliance class.
a. Foundation walls shall be maintained in good repair and be structurally sound. b. The siding, walls, roof, stairs, porches, balconies and other structural parts of the building shall be kept in good repair, structurally sound and free from evidence of deterioration. c. All porches, landings, balconies and stairs shall be provided with banisters, railings or other protection, properly designed and maintained to minimize the hazard of falling. d. Except where already paved, the floors of basements and cellars shall be paved with stone or cinder concrete not less than four inches thick in proportion of one part cement, three parts of sand and six parts cinders or stone. e. All exterior surfaces not inherently resistant to decay shall be kept painted or otherwise provided with a protective coating sufficient to prevent structural deterioration.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 5019615; v61 updated 2026-06-17; through 06-17-2026).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 18:3 of the Revised General Ordinances places general-maintenance duty on the owner and operator, not the tenant. 3 requires the premises to stay free from conditions that are a hazard to health or safety. 5 adds a weathertightness rule covering roofs, gutters, siding, windows and doors, plus a requirement to ventilate basements and cellars against dampness. 9 gets specific about structure: foundation walls, siding, roofs, stairs, porches and balconies must stay in good repair and free of deterioration, porches and stairs need banisters or railings against falls, and unpaved basement floors must carry at least four inches of stone or cinder concrete.
and 65°F overnight, every day from October 1 through May 1. 1, and must give the owner a right to a hearing before ordering abatement or repair. 1 must finish required repairs within six months of closing or risk the City reclaiming title.
Violations & Fines
Section 18:1-2.7 sets the citywide Housing Code penalty at up to $100 for each violated provision, with every day of continued noncompliance counted as a separate offense. A convicted owner must also attend a quarterly instructional course run by the Office of Inspections and Enforcement. Nonpayment can mean commitment to the Essex County Jail, and a second conviction within six months adds up to one jail day per dollar of the fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for repairs in a Newark rental?
Does Newark require landlords to provide heat?
What happens if a Newark landlord ignores a habitability violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Newark
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