Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in New Jersey
i have recently moved out of a room i rented due to the homeowners drug abuse. my belongings are being held at the residence due to back rent being owed. now there was no legal written contract on when rent was to be paid. and i am being told that whether i pay him or not i am not getting my belongings back. can they do this?
2 Answers from Attorneys
No. Call the police to keep the peace while you retrieve your belongings. Also, this sounds like an illegal apartment. I advise you to seek further assistance to learn your rights in this regard.
It is unlawful for a landlord in New Jersey to hold a residential tenant's belongings even if there is back rent owed. The tenant can not only recover the property but can also get an award for the cost of recovery. You may want to consult a lawyer to assist you if you can't get help from the local police.
See also: http://info.corbettlaw.net/lawguru.htm