New Jersey Statutes Title 46. Property 46 § 8-18.1

a. A landlord, or agent thereof, shall not require an application or other similar fee to apply to lease or sublease a residential rental property for dwelling purposes, which exceeds $50.

b. A landlord, or agent thereof, who violates subsection a. of this section shall be liable for a penalty of up to $500 for a first offense, up to $750 for a second offense, and up to $1,000 for each subsequent offense, which shall be collected and enforced by summary proceedings pursuant to the “Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999,” P.L.1999, c. 274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.).  The Superior Court, Law Division, Special Civil Part in the county in which the residential rental property is located shall have jurisdiction over the proceedings.  Process shall be in the nature of a summons or warrant and shall issue upon the complaint of the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety or the Attorney General.  Following the proceedings, the amount wrongfully charged shall be taken from the collected penalty and shall be remitted to the applicant or prospective tenant.

c. The requirements of subsection a. of this section shall not apply to:

d. Beginning on January 1 of the year next following enactment of P.L.2025, c. 405 (C.46:8-18.1 et seq.) and each year thereafter, the amount of the fee limitation established pursuant to subsection a. of this section shall be adjusted by the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public Safety in direct proportion to the percent change in the Consumer Price Index over a 12-month period ending October 31 of the previous year.  For the purpose of this section, “Consumer Price Index” means the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island Metropolitan Area, All Items (1982-84=100), as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the United States Department of Labor.  The State Treasurer shall determine the amount of the adjustment by December 1 of each year, and the adjustment to the limitation shall become effective for fees charged during the calendar year following the December 1 determination, beginning with fees made on or after January 1 of each calendar year.  An adjustment in the fee limitation shall be made only if the percent change in the Consumer Price Index for the period specified is greater than zero.  The Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs shall annually publish the fee limitation applicable pursuant to this section on the division's Internet website.