Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in New Jersey
Can a landlord legally request a $100 new key deposit for the two front entry doors and not provide a key to a tenant if he doesn't receive that deposit within two days? The super just handed me a notice stating the locks will be changed on Friday (10/22) and that the key will not be able to be duplicated.. I don't have the money and I am disabled. This is happening in Jersey City, NJ
2 Answers from Attorneys
A landlord is required to deliver the premises to the tenant and not interfere with the tenant's quiet enjoyment of the premises during the tenancy. An added charge for keys violates that principle. Likewise, re-keying the premises and changing policies so that the tenant cannot get extra key interferes with the tenant's ability to make the premises available to guests and invitees. Contact Legal Services. /p/ See also: http://info.corbettlaw.net/lawguru.htm
Simply stated, changing the lock without giving you the key would amount to a "wrongful lockout" and subject the landlord to treble (triple) damages plus attorneys' fees pursuant to the NJ Wrongful Detainer statutes.
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