NJAA to landlords: Work with tenants to get through crisis

The New Jersey Apartment Association is urging the state’s landlords to give concessions to tenants amid the COVID-19 crisis.

The urgings came as Gov. Phil Murphy announced an executive order that would eliminate a statutory ban on the use of security deposits to pay rent.

Under the order, signed Thursday, tenants can direct their landlords pull from security deposits to make up lost rent.

Separately, the NJAA urged landlords to waive fees for late payment and work with renters impacted by the pandemic.

“As stated by Governor Murphy, ‘we are all in this together,’” NJAA Executive Director David Brogan said. “As such, when tenants who can pay rent do so, it provides the necessary revenue for landlords to not only operate and maintain those buildings, but also, it helps landlords help those tenants who are truly in need.”