New Jersey Room Rental Agreement Template

An agreement for renting one bedroom in a shared home, with private and shared areas, house rules, a fair utility split and clear notice terms. This edition fills in the New Jersey rules we could confirm and marks the rest as blanks to check.

New Jersey rules for this form

Deposit limit. A security deposit cannot exceed one and a half months of rent, and any later yearly increase is limited to 10 percent of the current deposit. (N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.2)

Deadline to return the deposit. The landlord must return the deposit with interest, less lawful deductions, within 30 days after the tenancy ends, or within five business days when a fire, flood, condemnation or evacuation displaces the tenant. (N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1)

Notice before entry. In buildings with three or more units, tenants must allow entry for inspection and maintenance on reasonable notice, which is normally one day, and immediate access is allowed in an emergency. Entry for other purposes, such as showings, depends on the lease. (N.J.A.C. 5:10-1.2 (Regulations for the Maintenance of Hotels and Multiple Dwellings))

Late fees. Late fees generally must be stated in the lease, and a court treats them as rent in an eviction case only if the written lease says so. (Community Realty v. Harris (N.J. 1998) and N.J.S.A. 2A:42-6.1)

Month-to-month notice. A month to month tenant who is covered by the Anti-Eviction Act cannot be removed without a statutory cause; in owner occupied two and three family homes a one month notice to quit applies. (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1 and 2A:18-61.2)

Required disclosures. Landlords with more than two units, or more than three if the owner lives there, must give each tenant the state's Truth in Renting statement. (Truth in Renting Act (N.J.S.A. 46:8-43 to 51))

Required disclosures. Homes built before 1978 need the federal lead-based paint disclosure and the EPA pamphlet. (Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act (42 U.S.C. 4852d))

Required disclosures. Before a lease is generally signed or renewed, landlords give tenants a state flood risk notice covering whether the property is in a flood hazard area and its flooding history. (Truth in Renting Act flood notice (P.L.2023, c.93))

Required disclosures. Generally, leases should also carry the required notices on window guards for homes with young children and the tenant's right to end a lease because of domestic violence. (N.J.A.C. 5:10-27.1 and New Jersey Safe Housing Act)

Cities and counties in New Jersey can add their own rules on top of these. Check local ordinances before you sign.

What is in the template

1. Parties
2. The room and shared areas
3. Term
4. Rent
5. Utilities and household costs
6. Security deposit
7. House rules
8. Privacy and entry
9. Care and repairs
10. Ending this Agreement for a breach
11. Moving out
12. General terms
13. Signatures

Before you use it

• A room rental agreement covers one private room plus shared use of common areas like the kitchen and bathroom.
• House rules on guests, quiet hours, cleaning and shared costs prevent most housemate disputes.
• Some states treat a renter who lives with the owner differently, especially for eviction, so check before you rely on it.
• Fair housing law still applies to most room rentals, though some owner-occupied homes have narrow exemptions.

For the full explanation of this form, read our guide to the room rental agreement.