TRENTON, N.J. (1010 WINS) — The New Jersey Division of Civil Rights issued notices to 30 landlords for violating a new housing law that made it illegal to refuse to rent to most formerly incarcerated people.
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The Fair Chance Housing Act went into effect at the start of 2022 and made it illegal to refuse housing to former convicts for all but the most violent crimes.
Housing can be refused for less serious crimes, but the landlord must put the denial in writing and the potential tenant will have the opportunity to appeal.
“The Fair Chance in Housing Act, the first state law of its kind in the country, reflects our state’s deep and unwavering commitment to ensuring that every New Jersey resident has a fair chance to find safe, affordable housing,” said Acting Attorney General Matthew Platkin. “The enforcement actions we’re announcing today send a clear message that we will not tolerate violations of this landmark law, and we will continue to actively enforce the critical protections it provides.”
The DCR and the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office issued cease and desist letters in March to landlords who posted ads stating people with convictions could not apply.
The violation notices went out to landlords who continued that practice after the warning.
Now, they could face fines of $1,000 for a first offense and up to $10,000 for repeat violations.
Landlords who received the notice will have the option to undergo compliance training, change their policies and pay a comparatively small fee to avoid the much larger fines.
The violation notices are part of the first wave of enforcement since the law went into effect on Jan. 1.
The DCR established a fair housing unit to investigate and prosecute landlords who violate the FCHA.
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