A New Jersey lease, one question at a time
Made for owners of one or two rentals who don't have a property manager. Every question has a short explanation, a "What does this mean?" button, and a safe answer if you're not sure. The builder checks the security deposit against New Jersey's limit as you type.
New Jersey rules the lease follows
- Security deposit: at most 1.5 months' rent, in an interest-bearing account at a New Jersey bank, written notice within 30 days, returned with interest and an itemized list within 30 days after the lease ends (DCA Truth in Renting guide, N.J.S.A. 46:8-19 to -26).
- Flood risk: the state's Flood Risk Notice before signing (P.L. 2023, c. 93).
- Lead: the federal disclosure for homes built before 1978, New Jersey's lead-safe certification, and the lead in drinking water disclosure for buildings built before 1986.
- Renewals: in most rentals a tenant can only be removed for a reason in the Anti-Eviction Act (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1), and owner-occupied buildings with 2 or fewer rental units are exempt. Make a rent increase notice here.
What the lease covers
- Parties, every tenant and other occupants
- Fixed term or month-to-month, new lease or renewal
- Rent, due date and how to pay
- Late fee with the senior-citizen grace period
- Security deposit up to 1.5 months (N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.2), bank notice and 30-day return
- Utilities, appliances, parking and storage
- Pets, smoking, subletting
- Repairs, snow and yard care, entry notice
- End of lease and Anti-Eviction Act note
- Landlord registration statement clause
- Optional guarantor page
- Signature blocks for landlord and every tenant
Pages we attach, when they apply
- Federal lead-based paint disclosure: buildings built before 1978 (or if you're not sure)
- Flood Risk Notice: on the state's official wording, in 12-point type
- Lead-safe certification notice: rentals built before 1978
- Lead in drinking water disclosure: buildings built before 1986 (P.L. 2025, c. 144)
- Truth in Renting acknowledgment: tenant confirms receiving the state guide
- Window guard notice: buildings with 3 or more apartments
- Security deposit notice: interest-bearing account and 30-day return
The printed lease is clean: no logo, no ads, no website text on the pages. Each attached page starts on a new page with its own signature lines.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost?
$4.99 per lease. Complete your lease, check the preview, and download the finished, print-ready PDF with all the attached pages. One-time payment, no account and no subscription.
How much security deposit can I charge in New Jersey?
No more than one and a half months' rent (N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.2). It goes into an interest-bearing account at a New Jersey bank, and the tenant gets written notice of the bank, account type and interest rate within 30 days. The builder stops you if the deposit is too high.
Is there a cap on late fees in New Jersey?
There is no single statewide dollar cap, but the fee must be in the lease and reasonable, and tenants who are senior citizens get a 5-business-day grace period (N.J.S.A. 2A:42-6.1). Some towns with rent control set limits. The builder suggests $50 or 5% of the rent.
Do I need the flood disclosure for a two-family house?
New Jersey's flood notice law exempts buildings with two or fewer units, but giving the notice is still a good idea, so the builder always includes the state's Flood Risk Notice.
Can I use it for a renewal?
Yes. Pick Renewal, enter the current lease dates and rent, and the new lease starts the day after the old one ends. Under the Anti-Eviction Act most tenants have a right to renewal, and changes must be reasonable.
Which disclosures are included?
The federal lead paint disclosure for older buildings, the Flood Risk Notice, the lead-safe certification notice, the lead in drinking water disclosure for buildings built before 1986, a Truth in Renting acknowledgment, the window guard notice for buildings with 3 or more apartments, and a security deposit notice.
Is this legal advice?
No. LandlordSquare is a self-help document tool, not a law firm, and no attorney-client relationship is created. When in doubt, ask a licensed attorney.
Do you store my tenant's information?
No. The lease is built in your browser. Names, addresses and amounts you type are not sent to our server.
Landlord guides
Sources
Every rule is listed with its official source on our Legal sources page. Read October 25, 2026. Laws change; check the source before relying on it.