New Jersey Security Deposit Demand Letter
In New Jersey, a landlord has 30 days after move-out to return the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions (as of 2026; source: N.J. Stat. §46:8-19). This letter cites that deadline, states the amount and your forwarding address, and gives the landlord a date to respond before you file. Free, no signup.
Maintained by Rapi Stack · Every state-specific figure on this page is cited to its statute or official agency page · Dataset last verified 2026 · Not legal advice.
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New Jersey deposit rules at a glance
- Return deadline
- 30 days after move-out
- Deposit cap
- 1.5 months' rent
As of 2026. Source: N.J. Stat. §46:8-19 ↗. Want the exact due date? Use the deposit return calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a New Jersey landlord have to return the deposit?
30 days after you move out, as of 2026 (source: N.J. Stat. §46:8-19). Counted in calendar days; check the statute for whether the clock starts at move-out, lease end, or receipt of your forwarding address, and whether a weekend deadline rolls over. Use the deposit return calculator to get the exact date.
Is there a limit on how much deposit a New Jersey landlord can charge?
Yes: 1.5 months' rent (as of 2026; source: N.J. Stat. §46:8-19). If you paid more than the cap, say so in the letter; the excess is usually recoverable too.
How much can I sue for in New Jersey if the landlord ignores this?
Small Claims Section handles lawsuits of $5,000 or less (exclusive of costs). Tenant security-deposit cases of $5,000 or less can also be filed here. Claims from $5,000 up to $20,000 go to the regular Special Civil Part; over $20,000 to the Civil Division of the Law Division, Superior Court. Suing in small claims for a larger amount waives the excess. The court is the Small Claims Section, Special Civil Part, Superior Court Law Division, and the filing fee is $35 for a complaint against one defendant, plus $5 for each additional defendant (njcourts.gov Small Claims self-help page; fees per N.J.S.A. 22A:2-37.1). As of 2026; source: N.J. Ct. R. 6:1-2(a)(2).
Do I need a lawyer in New Jersey small claims?
Attorneys are Allowed but not required; the court itself notes most people file and present small claims without an attorney. Source: N.J. Ct. R. 6:1-2(a)(2) (as of 2026).
Deposit rules in every state, cited to statute: security deposit limits by state.
How New Jersey compares
Computed from our 51-jurisdiction dataset (as of 2026). Source for New Jersey: N.J. Stat. §46:8-19 ↗.
- Deposit return deadline
Deposit return deadline: 30 days, exactly the national median.
This is the most common figure nationally — shared by 26 other states.
Deposit return deadline in neighboring states — Delaware (20 days), New York (14 days), Pennsylvania (30 days).
The rest of what New Jersey requires
The figures below are New Jersey's, not national averages — each one is the value we verified for this state, with the statute it comes from. Follow a row to the full New Jersey page for that document.
- Security deposit cap · as of 2026
- 1.5 months' rent N.J. Stat. §46:8-19 ↗
- Deposit return deadline · as of 2026
- 30 days after move-out N.J. Stat. §46:8-19 ↗
- Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy · as of 2026
- 30 days N.J. Stat. §46:8-19 ↗
- Notice to cure a lease violation · as of 2026
- 30 days N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2A:18-61.1 et seq.; § 2A:18-56 ↗
- Small claims limit · as of 2026
- $5,000 N.J. Ct. R. 6:1-2(a)(2) ↗
- Where you file · as of 2026
- Small Claims Section, Special Civil Part, Superior Court Law Division · filing fee $35 for a complaint against one defendant, plus $5 for each additional defendant (njcourts.gov Small Claims self-help page; fees per N.J.S.A. 22A:2-37.1) N.J. Ct. R. 6:1-2(a)(2) ↗
- Rental application fee · as of July 2026
- Capped at $50 (eff. 5/1/2026) NJ Attorney General guidance ↗
- Bill of sale notarization · as of 2026
- Not required New Jersey MVC / DMV.ORG ↗
- Power of attorney signing · as of 2026
- Notarization required N.J. Stat. §46:2B-8.9 ↗
- LLC operating agreement · as of 2026
- Not required by statute, but it controls over the default rules N.J. Stat. § 42:2C-2 (definition); § 42:2C-11 (scope) ↗
- Recording a deed · as of 2026
- County Clerk (styled Register of Deeds and Mortgages in some larger counties) · no witnesses N.J.S.A. 46:26A-3 ↗
Security deposit demand letter in other states
More New Jersey legal forms
Different state? See security deposit demand letters by state →