Bill > A1607

This bill, titled the "Mold Safe Housing Act," establishes new regulations and procedures to address mold contamination in rental properties. It mandates inspections for mold in various types of rental housing, including single-family, two-family, and multiple dwellings, with specific inspection frequencies tied to changes in occupancy and regular five-year intervals. The act defines "substantial presence of mold" as visible or detectable mold that poses a health risk to residents. For tenants experiencing mold issues, the bill outlines a process where they must first notify their landlord in writing. If the landlord fails to address the mold within 72 hours, tenants can then contact the Department of Community Affairs (DCA), which will investigate and may authorize relocation assistance under existing laws. The bill also requires courts to inform the DCA when a tenant is constructively evicted due to mold or other uninhabitable conditions. Furthermore, it allows prospective homebuyers to request a mold inspection by a licensed home inspector prior to purchasing a property. The act also clarifies that home inspectors can include mold inspections if requested by a buyer and specifies that licensed home inspectors cannot engage in mold inspection or abatement unless certified for such work. Additionally, it addresses mold in condominiums and cooperatives, stating that homeowners' associations are responsible for mold in common areas, while individual unit owners are responsible for mold within their own units, unless the association owns the unit. Finally, the bill exempts seasonal rentals, owner-occupied units, and units already certified as mold-free from certain inspection requirements.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/A1607