Which disclosures must a New Jersey lease include?
| Disclosure | Statute | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| Flood-zone disclosure (separate signed rider) | N.J.S.A. 46:8-50 (eff. 3/20/2024) | Every residential lease |
| Truth in Renting statement | N.J.S.A. 46:8-45 | Non-owner-occupied buildings with 3+ units |
| Window guard notice | N.J.S.A. 55:13A-7.13 / regulation | Multiple dwellings |
| Security deposit investment/bank notice | N.J.S.A. 46:8-19 | Any lease where a deposit is collected |
| Lead paint (state inspection law) | P.L. 2021, c.182 | Most pre-1978 rentals |
| Lead-based paint hazard + EPA pamphlet | Title X (federal) | Housing built before 1978 |
| Smoke / carbon-monoxide compliance | Municipal certificate | Before occupancy |
The flood-zone disclosure (N.J.S.A. 46:8-50) — new for 2024
Effective March 20, 2024, before signing or renewal a New Jersey landlord must disclose whether the unit is in a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area (100-year) or Moderate Risk Flood Hazard Area (500-year) and any known history of flooding. For a residential lease this must be a separate signed rider in at least 12-point font, and "unknown" is not an option for the flood-zone question. If the disclosure is not given, the tenant may terminate the lease and recover prepaid amounts.
The Truth in Renting statement and window-guard notice
Truth in Renting (N.J.S.A. 46:8-45): landlords of buildings with more than two units that are not owner-occupied must distribute the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs "Truth in Renting" statement of rights and responsibilities to each tenant. Owner-occupied two- and three-unit buildings and seasonal rentals are exempt.
Window guards: leases for multiple dwellings must include a conspicuous boldface notice that the landlord will install window guards on written request where a child 10 or younger lives.
The security deposit investment and bank notice (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19)
Within 30 days of receiving a deposit, the landlord must invest it in an insured New Jersey institution or money-market fund and give the tenant written notice of the institution's name and address, the amount, the account type, and the interest rate. The notice must be re-sent whenever the landlord moves the funds. See our New Jersey lease requirements guide for the deposit cap and return rules.
Lead paint and CO/smoke disclosures
- Lead paint (state): New Jersey's Lead-Based Paint Inspection Law (P.L. 2021, c.182) requires periodic municipal inspections of most one- to four-family and multiple rentals for lead hazards, on top of the federal rule.
- Lead paint (federal): the signed lead-warning disclosure and EPA pamphlet for pre-1978 housing.
- Smoke / carbon-monoxide alarms: compliance is verified pre-occupancy through a municipal Certificate of Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Compliance.
What happens if a New Jersey landlord skips a required disclosure?
Consequences vary:
- Missing flood disclosure: the tenant may terminate the lease and recover prepaid amounts (N.J.S.A. 46:8-50).
- Missing Truth in Renting statement: exposes the landlord to a penalty and undercuts enforcement.
- Deposit mishandled or no 30-day notice: can trigger double-damages exposure at move-out (N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1).
Managing rentals in more than one state? Compare New Jersey's list with our New York and California disclosure checklists.
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Create your New Jersey lease agreement →Frequently asked questions
Does New Jersey require a flood disclosure in the lease?
Yes, as of March 20, 2024. Under N.J.S.A. 46:8-50 the landlord must disclose, in a separate signed rider (at least 12-point font for residential leases), whether the unit is in a FEMA flood hazard area and any known prior flooding. Failure lets the tenant terminate and recover prepaid rent.
What is the Truth in Renting statement?
A New Jersey Department of Community Affairs statement of tenant and landlord rights that landlords of non-owner-occupied buildings with more than two units must distribute to each tenant (N.J.S.A. 46:8-45).
What must a New Jersey landlord disclose about the security deposit?
Within 30 days of receiving the deposit, the landlord must give written notice of the insured institution holding it, the amount, the account type, and the interest rate (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19).
Does New Jersey require a lead-paint disclosure?
Yes, both federal and state. The federal disclosure applies to pre-1978 housing, and New Jersey's Lead-Based Paint Inspection Law (P.L. 2021, c.182) requires periodic municipal inspections of most rentals.
What disclosures are required in a New Jersey lease?
The flood-zone rider (46:8-50), the Truth in Renting statement (46:8-45) for larger non-owner-occupied buildings, a window-guard notice for multiple dwellings, the deposit investment/bank notice (46:8-19), state and federal lead-paint disclosures, and municipal smoke/CO compliance.
Official sources
Primary statutes and official government references for this guide. Statutes change — always confirm against the current official text before you act.