New Jersey caps a residential security deposit at 1.5 times one month's rent, and any later additional deposit may rise by no more than 10% per year. After a tenancy ends, the landlord must return the deposit plus the tenant's interest, minus itemized deductions, within 30 days. Wrongful withholding exposes the landlord to double damages.
Under N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.2, an owner "may not require more than a sum equal to 1 1/2 times 1 month's rental" as a deposit, and additional security collected later "shall not be greater than 10 percent of the current security deposit" annually. The deposit must be held in an interest-bearing account, with the interest belonging to the tenant (46:8-19). Under 46:8-21.1, within 30 days after the lease terminates the landlord must return the deposit plus the tenant's share of interest, "less any charges expended," by personal delivery or certified mail, and "the interest or earnings and any such deductions shall be itemized." Deposits drop to five business days where a tenant is displaced by fire, flood, condemnation, or evacuation.
Under N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1, in a tenant's successful action for return of the deposit the court "shall award recovery of double the amount of said moneys, together with full costs of any action and, in the court's discretion, reasonable attorney's fees." A landlord who fails to invest the deposit or send required notices lets the tenant apply the deposit plus 7% interest to rent (46:8-19).
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Freehold, NJ
Freehold Borough Title 9 (Public Peace and Conduct) prohibits loud, unnecessary, or unusual noise. NJ statewide noise code (N.J.A.C. 7:29) sets residential l...
Freehold, NJ
Freehold Borough regulates construction noise under Title 9. Typical NJ municipal construction hours are 7 AM-6 PM for commercial work and 7 AM-9 PM for home...
Freehold, NJ
Freehold Borough Title 6 (Animals) and Title 9 (Public Peace and Conduct) address barking dogs. Persistent barking that disturbs neighbors may be cited as a ...
Freehold, NJ
Freehold Borough has metered on-street parking downtown with a 3-hour limit. Paid meters operate at $1/hour (11 AM-4 PM) and $2/hour (4 PM-11 PM). Free 4-hou...
Freehold, NJ
New or altered driveways in Freehold Borough require a zoning application since they increase lot coverage. Driveway construction must comply with zoning sch...
Freehold, NJ
Freehold Borough zoning ordinance (Title 18) restricts storage of RVs, boats, and trailers in residential zones. Front yard storage is generally prohibited. ...
See how Freehold's security deposit rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.