Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in New Jersey

Not necessarily, but you should defend the suit. Payment should be easy to prove if you have your cancelled checks or receipts.

See also: http://info.corbettlaw.net/lawguru.htm

If the landlord filed an eviction action for possession on the basis of nonpayment of rent, your proof of payment is a complete defense to the action. Rather than countersue, you appear at the "trial" date and show proofs of payment, in which case, the possession action based upon nonpayment of rent should be dismissed.