The short answer
Under New Jersey's Anti-Eviction Act, most residential tenants can only be removed for one of the specific 'good causes' listed in the statute — such as non-payment of rent, serious lease violations, or disorderly conduct — and only through a court judgment. A lease simply expiring is not good cause. Owner-occupied buildings with two or fewer rental units are the main exception.
Common grounds
- Non-payment of rent
- Disorderly conduct that disturbs other residents
- Willful damage to the property
- Continued violation of reasonable rules or lease terms after written notice
- Habitual late payment after written notice
- Certain owner actions, such as permanently retiring a building from residential use, with required notice
Notices come first
Most grounds require written notices before filing — often a notice to cease, then a notice to quit with a specific timeline. Getting the notice wrong is the most common reason landlord cases are dismissed.
Only a court can evict
Self-help — changing locks, removing belongings, shutting off utilities — is illegal in New Jersey. Removal happens through a Landlord/Tenant court judgment and a warrant of removal executed by a court officer.
Prevention is cheaper
Careful screening within the Fair Chance in Housing Act, clear lease rules, prompt and documented communication, and consistent rent follow-up prevent most cases. When a case is unavoidable, we prepare the documentation and work with the owner's attorney.
Common questions
Can I decline to renew a lease because it ended?
For most covered tenancies, no. Lease expiration alone isn't good cause; the tenancy continues unless a statutory ground applies.
Does the Anti-Eviction Act apply to commercial tenants?
No. It covers residential tenancies. Commercial evictions follow the lease and different court procedures.
General information about New Jersey rules as of October 2026, not legal advice. Laws and municipal requirements change — confirm specifics with your attorney or the municipality before acting.
Reviewed October 2026 by Comet Management, Hamburg, NJ.