New Jersey Repairs and habitability remedies

What can a tenant do if the landlord won't make repairs in New Jersey?

If the landlord fails to keep the unit habitable, the tenant may repair vital-facility defects (e.g. no heat, water or electricity, broken toilets or windows) and deduct the cost from rent, or seek rent abatement or withhold rent. The tenant must not have caused the defect and must give notice and adequate time to fix.

Verified Source: Marini v. Ireland, 56 N.J. 130 (1970) (NJ DCA Truth in Renting) · last checked 2026-10-15