Just cause eviction rules in Ocean County, NJ — sometimes called tenant protection or "for cause" eviction ordinances — list the specific legal reasons a landlord can end a tenancy.
NJ Anti-Eviction Act (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1) requires good cause for all Ocean County residential evictions. Owner-occupied 1-2 unit homes and transient/seasonal guests are exempt. 18 statutory grounds apply.
New Jersey is a just-cause state by statute — no local ordinance needed. The Anti-Eviction Act (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1) lists 18 grounds for eviction including nonpayment of rent, disorderly conduct, substantial lease violation after notice, habitual late payment, conversion to condominium, and owner personal occupancy. Landlords must serve a Notice to Cease, then a Notice to Quit, before filing in the Ocean County Superior Court Special Civil Part (Landlord-Tenant) in Toms River. Statutory exemptions: owner-occupied buildings with 2 or fewer rental units, and hotels/motels/rooming houses with transient or seasonal guests. This means Jersey Shore weekly summer rentals on Long Beach Island, Seaside Heights, and Point Pleasant Beach do NOT get just-cause protection. Year-round tenants do. Relocation assistance (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.10) of six months' rent applies to no-fault displacement from code-condemned units.
Wrongful eviction: tenant may raise as defense in Landlord-Tenant Court or sue in Superior Court for damages. Self-help lockouts (N.J.S.A. 2A:39-1): treble damages and attorneys' fees. Retaliatory eviction (N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.10): dismissal and damages.
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