Mobile Home Park Tenant Rights and Rules in New Jersey

Living in a mobile home park in New Jersey comes with unique rights and responsibilities. If you rent a lot or a manufactured home, it's essential to understand how New Jersey laws protect your rights as a tenant—especially when it comes to park rules, rent increases, maintenance issues, and eviction processes. Staying informed helps you address issues confidently and avoid surprises.

Understanding Mobile Home Park Rules in New Jersey

New Jersey’s laws for mobile home parks ensure both tenants and park owners follow clear guidelines. Park owners must adopt fair, reasonable rules and provide all tenants with a written copy, typically included in your lease or rental agreement. Changes to rules are regulated under state law.

• Written Rules: Park owners must distribute any new or amended rules in writing to all tenants.
• Advance Notice: At least 30 days’ notice is required before any park rule changes take effect, unless a longer time is specified by law or agreement.
• Prohibited Rules: Rules cannot be arbitrary, discriminatory, or infringe on your rights established by New Jersey’s Mobile Home Park Law or other housing laws.
• Dispute Resolution: If you believe a park rule is unfair or improperly enforced, you have the right to challenge the rule or its application.

For official details, review the Mobile Home Park Law in New Jersey (N.J.S.A. 46:8C-1 et seq.).

Rent Increases and Fee Limits

Mobile home park landlords in New Jersey may not raise your rent, lot fees, or service charges without proper notice and compliance with regulations. Towns or counties may also enact their own rent control ordinances—be sure to check with your local rent control office if applicable.

• Advance Notice of Rent Increase: Park owners must give written notice at least 90 days before any rent adjustment takes effect.^[1]
• No Retaliatory Rent Increases: Landlords cannot raise rent to punish a tenant who asserts their legal rights or files a complaint.
• Challenging Rent Increases: If you believe a rent increase is unfair or unlawful, you can file a complaint with the Division of Consumer Affairs or your local rent control board, if applicable.

Maintenance, Repairs, and Your Park Owner’s Duties

Mobile home park owners are responsible for maintaining common areas, utilities, and ensuring safe, healthy conditions throughout the park. Tenants should report maintenance issues promptly in writing. If unresolved, you may have the right to withhold rent or seek legal remedies.

• Request repairs in writing and keep a copy for your records.
• If hazards or violations aren’t addressed, you can report the issue to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.

Eviction and Termination Protections

Eviction from a mobile home park in New Jersey is only allowed for specific reasons permitted by law. You cannot be forced to leave simply because your lease has ended or at the landlord’s whim. Valid reasons for eviction include nonpayment of rent, repeated rule violations, or serious lease breaches.

• Notice Requirements: For nonpayment of rent, you must receive at least 30 days’ written notice before eviction proceedings. Other grounds may require longer notice.
• Court Process: Evictions must be processed through the New Jersey Superior Court, Special Civil Part, Landlord/Tenant Section. Self-help evictions are illegal.
• Protections for Homeowners: If you own your mobile home but rent the lot, you have eviction protections similar to traditional tenants.

For more, see the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Landlord-Tenant Information.

Key Official Forms for Manufactured Home Park Tenants

• Complaint Form – Manufactured (Mobile) Home Park
  Division of Consumer Affairs OCP Complaint Form
  Use this form to file an official complaint about park rule violations, unfair rent increases, maintenance issues, or other disputes. Example: If your landlord fails to repair common utilities after multiple requests, submit this form to start a state investigation.
• Request for Hearing
  (Contact your local rent control board or Department of Community Affairs for official forms and process details.)
  Use this if disputing a rent increase or park rule enforcement before an official tribunal.

For court-related landlord/tenant cases (including eviction), see official forms and filing guidance with the New Jersey Superior Court, Special Civil Part.

Relevant Legislation & Decision-Making Bodies

• Mobile Home Park Law (N.J.S.A. 46:8C-1 et seq.)
• New Jersey Department of Community Affairs – Bureau of Housing Inspection
• Evictions and formal disputes are handled by the New Jersey Superior Court, Special Civil Part – Landlord/Tenant Section

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can my mobile home park landlord evict me without a reason?
   No, New Jersey law only allows eviction for specific legal reasons, such as nonpayment of rent or serious rule violations. Your landlord must follow required notice and court procedures.
2. How much notice is needed for a rent increase in a New Jersey mobile home park?
   You must be given at least 90 days’ written notice before any rent increase takes effect.
3. What should I do if the park owner ignores maintenance problems?
   First, submit your request in writing. If unresolved, file a complaint with the Department of Community Affairs or use the Division of Consumer Affairs complaint form.
4. Where can I get help with unfair park rules or charges?
   You can contact the Division of Consumer Affairs or your local rent control board to file a complaint or seek guidance.

Key Takeaways for Mobile Home Park Tenants

• New Jersey gives mobile home park tenants strong rights regarding fair rules, rent increases, and eviction protections.
• Always get park rules and changes in writing, and keep records of all written communications.
• If disputes arise, use official forms and know your right to have complaints reviewed by state agencies or the courts.

Understanding your rental rights helps you prevent and resolve problems efficiently.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

• New Jersey Department of Community Affairs – Landlord-Tenant Information: Housing and tenant support resources.
• Division of Consumer Affairs – File a Complaint: File mobile home park complaints online or by form.
• New Jersey Special Civil Part – Landlord/Tenant Section: For eviction cases and court filings.
• Local rent control boards (check your city or county website for office contacts, if available).

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1. [1] Mobile Home Park Law (N.J.S.A. 46:8C-1 et seq.)
2. New Jersey Superior Court – Landlord/Tenant Information
3. Division of Consumer Affairs – Official Complaint Form

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