Bill
Bill > S220
summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026-2027 Regular Session
Bill Summary
This bill establishes standards for the expiration of rental housing affordability controls, such as extending the rental protections provided for certain lower-income households and requiring written notice before the controls may expire. Specifically, the bill provides that if upon the expiration of the affordability controls, the household occupying the restricted rental unit continues to earn a gross annual income of not more than 80 percent of the regional median income, then the landlord may not increase rent in a manner that conflicts with the affordability controls until the household vacates the rental unit. Alternatively, if at such time the household earns an income in excess of 80 percent of the regional median income, then the landlord may lease the rental unit to any tenant at fair market rent beginning on the next scheduled lease renewal or after 60 days, whichever occurs later. The bill further provides that no more than 180 days, and no less than 90 days prior to the expiration of the affordability controls of a restricted rental unit, the administrative agent would be required to conduct an income certification for the household occupying the unit in order to determine the appropriate course of action regarding rent increases on the unit. As long as the household occupying a restricted rental unit continues to reside in the unit following affordability control expiration, and continues to earn a gross annual income of not more than 80 percent of the regional median income, the administrative agent would be required to conduct an additional income certification on an annual or biennial basis until the household is found to earn a gross annual income in excess of 80 percent of the regional median income, at which time the rent restriction could be lifted. The bill also requires the lease or renewal agreement of a restricted rental unit to contain a prominently displayed and highlighted provision that states the date on which the affordability controls will expire. If the lease or renewal agreement does not contain this provision, then the landlord may not increase rent in a manner that conflicts with the affordability controls until the next scheduled lease renewal. In addition, the bill requires the landlord of a restricted rental unit to provide the tenant with written notice not less than 120 days before the scheduled expiration of the affordability controls. The written notice is required, at a minimum, to include: (1) the date on which the affordability controls will expire; (2) the amount of any proposed rent increase; and (3) an explanation that if the household occupying the rental unit continues to earn a gross annual income of not more than 80 percent of the regional median income, the rent may not be increased in a manner that conflicts with the affordability controls. If the landlord fails to provide this notice, then following the expiration of the affordability controls, the landlord may not increase rent in a manner that conflicts with the affordability controls until the next scheduled lease renewal, or after 120 days following notification of the expiration of the affordability controls, whichever occurs later.
AI Summary
This bill establishes new rules for when rental housing affordability controls, which are requirements to keep a rental unit affordable for lower-income households, can expire. If a household in a restricted rental unit continues to earn 80% or less of the regional median income when the controls are set to expire, their rent cannot be increased beyond what the affordability controls allow until they move out. However, if the household earns more than 80% of the regional median income, the landlord can charge fair market rent at the next lease renewal or after 60 days. An "administrative agent," the entity managing these controls, must certify the household's income between 90 and 180 days before the controls expire to determine the next steps, and will continue to do so annually or biennially as long as the household remains below the 80% income threshold. Landlords must also prominently display the expiration date of affordability controls in lease agreements and provide tenants with at least 120 days' written notice before expiration, detailing any proposed rent increases and explaining that rent may remain restricted if the household's income stays at or below 80% of the regional median income. Failure to provide this notice results in rent being capped until the next lease renewal or 120 days after notification, whichever is later.
Committee Categories
Housing and Urban Affairs
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S220 |
| BillText | https://pub.njleg.gov/Bills/2026/S0500/220_I1.HTM |
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