New Jersey Landlord Tenant Attorney — Fast, Correct, Defensible
New Jersey Landlord Tenant Law Is a Minefield. Sean Knows Every Step.
New Jersey has some of the most tenant-protective laws in the country. The Anti-Eviction Act, the Truth in Renting Act, the Security Deposit Law, and local rent control ordinances create a complex web of obligations for landlords — and powerful rights for tenants. Getting it wrong is expensive.
Sean Branigan has owned and managed rental property in New Jersey. He understands the economics of landlord/tenant relationships from the inside — the cost of a bad tenant, the risk of a wrongful eviction claim, and the challenge of navigating a system that is not always fair to property owners. He represents both landlords and tenants with equal precision.
For landlords, Sean moves quickly and correctly — filing evictions that are legally defensible, pursuing unpaid rent aggressively, and protecting property owners from the claims that arise when the process is not followed. For tenants, he enforces their rights — challenging illegal evictions, pursuing habitability claims, and recovering security deposits that landlords wrongfully withhold.
Whether you own one rental unit or a portfolio of properties — or whether you are a tenant whose rights are being violated — Sean is the attorney who knows this area of law from the inside out.
Reach Sean Directly
Direct Cell
973.519.3332
Office
973.744.2223
Free diagnosis & strategy session available.
Strategic consultation: $1,000.
True victims & the wrongfully accused are never turned away.
Bilingual — English & Spanish.
Scope of Representation
What Sean Handles in Landlord & Tenant Law
Evictions & Summary Dispossess
Sean files and prosecutes evictions in New Jersey's Landlord-Tenant Court — for non-payment of rent, lease violations, holdover tenancies, and other grounds. He moves quickly and correctly, minimizing delays and ensuring the process is legally defensible.
Tenant Defense
Tenants facing eviction have significant rights in New Jersey. Sean defends tenants against wrongful evictions, retaliatory evictions, and evictions that do not comply with the Anti-Eviction Act's procedural requirements.
Security Deposit Disputes
New Jersey's Security Deposit Law is strict. Landlords who wrongfully withhold security deposits face double damages and attorneys' fees. Sean pursues these claims for tenants and defends landlords against improper claims.
Habitability Claims
Tenants have the right to a habitable dwelling. When landlords fail to maintain rental properties, tenants can withhold rent, seek rent reductions, and pursue damages. Sean handles habitability claims on both sides.
Lease Drafting & Review
A well-drafted lease is the foundation of a defensible landlord/tenant relationship. Sean drafts and reviews residential and commercial leases — ensuring they comply with New Jersey law and protect the landlord's interests.
Rent Control Disputes
Many New Jersey municipalities have rent control ordinances. Sean advises landlords and tenants on rent control compliance, exemptions, and disputes before local rent leveling boards.
Commercial Evictions
Commercial evictions are governed by different rules than residential evictions. Sean handles commercial evictions and lease disputes with the speed and precision that business continuity demands.
Landlord Retaliation Defense
New Jersey law prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants who exercise their legal rights. Sean defends landlords against retaliation claims and pursues them on behalf of tenants who have been wrongfully targeted.
Who Calls Sean
This Practice Area Is Built for You If…
Representing landlords and tenants throughout New Jersey — with particular depth in Essex County (Newark, Montclair, Bloomfield, East Orange), Hudson County (Jersey City, Hoboken, Bayonne, Union City), Ocean County (Toms River, Brick, Lakewood), and Morris County.
- You are a landlord with a non-paying tenant and need to move quickly and correctly through the eviction process.
- You are a landlord whose tenant has violated the lease and you need to enforce your rights.
- You are a tenant facing eviction and need to understand your rights and defenses.
- You are a tenant whose landlord is withholding your security deposit without justification.
- You are a tenant living in uninhabitable conditions and your landlord refuses to make repairs.
- You are a landlord who needs a legally defensible lease for your New Jersey rental property.
- You are a commercial landlord or tenant in a lease dispute.
- You are a real estate investor who needs an attorney who understands the economics of rental property, not just the law.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the grounds for eviction in New Jersey?
New Jersey's Anti-Eviction Act limits the grounds on which a landlord can evict a tenant. Grounds include non-payment of rent, habitual late payment, disorderly conduct, destruction of property, violation of lease terms, and certain other specified grounds. A landlord cannot evict a tenant without one of these statutory grounds — even if the lease has expired.
How long does an eviction take in New Jersey?
A straightforward non-payment eviction typically takes 4-8 weeks from filing to judgment. However, the process can be extended by tenant defenses, court scheduling, and the COVID-era procedural requirements that remain in some courts. Sean moves quickly and correctly — minimizing delays while ensuring the process is legally defensible.
Can a landlord change the locks or shut off utilities to force a tenant out?
No. Self-help evictions — changing locks, removing doors, shutting off utilities — are illegal in New Jersey. A landlord who engages in self-help eviction can face significant civil liability, including damages and attorneys' fees. The only legal way to remove a tenant is through the court process.
What is the deadline for returning a security deposit in New Jersey?
A landlord must return the security deposit — or provide an itemized statement of deductions — within 30 days of the tenant vacating the premises. Failure to comply can result in double damages and attorneys' fees. Sean pursues these claims aggressively for tenants and defends landlords against improper claims.
Does New Jersey have rent control?
Many New Jersey municipalities have rent control ordinances, including Newark, Jersey City, Hoboken, Montclair, and others. These ordinances limit rent increases and, in some cases, require just cause for eviction. Sean advises landlords and tenants on rent control compliance and disputes.