Rentals must meet city, state, and federal housing and health codes. These codes describe and specify the requirements that rental properties must meet in order to be safe and liveable. There are rules regulating such things as heat, plumbing, roofing, pests (such as rats, mice, or cockroaches), and other structures like walls, windows, basements, and attics.

If you feel that the conditions in your apartment or house are unliveable or dangerous, you can call the local housing inspector to inspect the property. However, you should give the landlord written notice of the problems and an opportunity to repair them before calling the housing inspectors.

For repairs that present a sanitation problem (like sewage), you can call the city or county board of health.

When an inspector comes out to look at your place, always get her or his name.

If the inspector finds a violation of the code, they will give a notice to the landlord stating the violations. The letter to the landlord will normally indicate that a reinspection will take place to see if the repairs have been made.

A failing unit is supposed to be reinspected. But sometimes a reinspection will not be made unless you request it. The inspector might assume that the landlord made the repairs if you do not tell them otherwise.

If the inspector finds that the landlord has not made the repairs, another inspection will be scheduled. When violations are still not corrected, the inspector can give a summons to the landlord. The landlord will then have to appear in municipal court. If found guilty, the landlord can be fined.

:: Important Numbers

New Brunswick Housing Inspection Office
99 Bayard Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
(732) 745-5075

Highland Park Housing Inspection Office
221 South 5th Avenue
Highland Park
(732) 819-3791/3792

Camden Housing Inspection Office
(732) 757-7075

Newark Housing Authority Inspection Division
(973) 733-6506