Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in New Jersey

I'm trying to break the lease of my apartment (ceiling flooded, roaches, non working refrigerator). An inspector came to my unit and said that my building didn't have an inspection prior to me moving in and legally they have to have a "certificate of habilitation" so the city has a case against them...however does that give me right break my lease? The inspector didn't have an answer for me...I live in NJ


Asked on 8/25/14, 10:17 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Matthew Schutz Matthew R. Schutz, Esq.

Yes and no. The rental is illegal but curable, if they go through the process. I would approach this as a habitability issue. Send your LL notice of the various issues and document them. Give him a reasonable time to fix and the. Start escrowing the rent. Document the issues. Call the board of health about the roaches. He will sue for the rent. You can probably get him to negotiate a deal for ending the lease.

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Answered on 8/25/14, 10:38 am


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