N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.2.
After termination of the tenant’s lease or license agreement.
DCA guidance states landlords may deduct for property damage beyond ordinary wear and tear and amounts due under the lease.
The Act generally excludes qualifying owner-occupied premises unless the tenant gives 30 days written notice invoking the Act.
What to gather
- Lease termination date.
- Security deposit receipt and bank/account notice.
- Annual interest or earnings records.
- Itemized deduction statement.
- Move-in and move-out condition evidence.
New Jersey has special shorter timelines
The ordinary 30-day rule is not the only timeline. The statute has shorter rules for certain displacement events and domestic-violence lease terminations, so those situations should be reviewed separately.
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Official sources
Official DCA publication of New Jersey’s Security Deposit Law, including the 30-day return rule, 1.5-month cap, interest/trust requirements and special shorter timelines.
New Jersey Department of Community AffairsNew Jersey Security Deposit Bulletin — revised July 2025 ↗Current DCA plain-language bulletin summarizing applicability, deposit amount, interest, return, deductions and special displacement rules.