Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in New Jersey

The landlord can use the security deposit if the "repairs" are necessary because of damage that you caused above ordinary wear and tear. If the landlord is using the security deposit to do other maintenance, he or she has violated he rent security deposit act. Additionally, since the Act makes it clear that the money on deposit belongs to the tenant, it makes sense that the landlord give notice of any use to which he money has been put before and after the term of the tenancy.

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