This would seem to be common fairness — but then, there are no guarantees that landlords will be fair. So the state public advocate has to remind landlords that they can’t kick their tenants to the curb when they go into foreclosure.
As foreclosures continue to rise across New Jersey, Public Advocate Ronald K. Chen and Banking and Insurance Commissioner Steven M. Goldman said today landlords and others who force tenants out without a legal eviction order face both civil and criminal charges. Likewise, they said, lawyers and real estate agents who try to force tenants out could lose their licenses and face fines.
“We have had reports that tenants are being informed by real estate agents, attorneys, and others acting on behalf of a lender that they must move because their building has been foreclosed upon,” Chen said. “We have already reached out to several of these organizations and individuals to put them on notice that their actions are illegal.”
Of the 50,000 foreclosures anticipated in New Jersey this year, between 20,000 to 23,000 tenants are affected, said Matt Shapiro, executive director of the New Jersey Tenants Organization.
Chen and Goldman are fighting back by targeting letters from landlords, real estate firms and lawyers telling tenants they must vacate their apartments because of a foreclosure or offering “cash for keys.”
Tenants should not be intimidated. And if they feel they are being intimidated they should call the New Jersey Tenants Organization.
Hank Kalet 