TRENTON, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — If you're a renter in New Jersey, your income will now determine when the moratorium on evictions ends, under a bill signed today by Governor Phil Murphy.
The bill also made $750 million available for rent and utility assistance.
“We will be injecting an additional $500 million in direct tenant relief," said New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy.
His action has two tiers. One is for families earning 120% or less of area median income (AMI), and the other is for families making 80% or less of AMI.
The moratorium on evictions continues through the end of August for the 120% group, and through the end of the year for those at or below 80% AMI.
In all instances, those specific tenants must provide their income and prove lost wages because of the pandemic, plus detail any aid they have applied for.
Murphy says this is being done to protect landlords as well.
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“To be clear, this does not mean tenants will not have to make up for rent payments missed from March 2020 to the end of this year. If you owe rent, those payments will still have to be made," Murphy said.
In many cases, the state will make those payments to landlords. Murphy said this action prevents missed payments from being grounds for eviction, and unpaid rent will be converted a civil debt.
In order for landlords to get payments from the state, any late fees must be waived.
"If you are a landlord, you must accept all rental assistance for which your tenants are eligible," said Murphy.
The Department of Community Affairs is creating a website for tenants covered in the moratorium to enter their information to ensure they get what they need.
The state is also providing an additional $250 million to prevent utility shutoffs.
The CDC established a new federal moratorium on evictions, to last until early October.
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