[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township
of Elk 4-4-2013 by Ord. No. O-1-2013. Amendments noted where applicable.]
Unless the context clearly indicates a different meaning, the
following words or phrases when used in this chapter shall have the
following meaning:
The individual or individuals designated by the owner as
the person(s) authorized by the owner to perform any duty imposed
upon the owner by this chapter. The term does not necessarily mean
a licensed real estate broker or salesman of the State of New Jersey
as those terms are defined by N.J.S.A. 45:15-3; however, such term
may include a licensed real estate broker or salesman of the State
of New Jersey if such person designated by the owner as his agent
is so licensed.
Two or more buildings, each containing two or more apartments,
which are located within close proximity of each other and are owned
by the same owner.
Any apartment, cottage, bungalow, any room or rooms in a
rooming/boarding house or other dwelling unit consisting of one or
more rooms occupying all or part of a floor or floors in a building,
whether designed with or without housekeeping facilities for dwelling
purposes and notwithstanding whether the apartment shall be designed
for residence, for office or the operation of any industry or business
or for any other type of independent use.
The license issued by the Township Clerk or designee attesting
that the rental unit has been properly registered in accordance with
this chapter.
The person to whom the license is issued pursuant to this
chapter. The term "licensee" includes within its definition the term
"agent" where applicable.
Any person or group of persons, firm, corporation, or officer
thereof, partnership, association, or trust, who owns, operates, exercises
control over or is in charge of a rental facility.
An individual, firm, corporation, partnership, association,
trust or other legal entity or any combination thereof.
Every building, group of buildings or a portion thereof which
is kept, used, maintained, advertised or held out to be a place where
living accommodations are supplied, whether furnished or unfurnished,
for pay or other consideration, to one or more individuals and is
meant to include apartments and apartment complexes.
A dwelling unit which is available for lease or rental purposes
and is meant to include individual apartments located within a home,
duplex, triplex and/or apartment complex.
All rental units shall hereafter be registered or reregistered
with the Township Clerk or designee of the Township of Elk or such
other person as designated by the Township Committee, on forms which
shall be provided for that purpose and which shall be obtained from
the Township Clerk or designee. Such registration shall occur on an
annual basis as provided herein.
Each rental unit shall be registered with each change in occupancy.
The license term shall commence on March 1 and shall be valid until
February 28 of the following calendar year, at which time it shall
expire and a new registration shall be required. The initial registration
shall occur within 45 days following the adoption of this chapter.
Any lease which has been executed prior to the adoption of this chapter
shall not be affected, but the rental unit must nevertheless be registered,
inspected and licensed in accordance with this chapter. No rental
unit shall hereafter be rented unless the rental unit is registered
and licensed in accordance with this chapter.
[Added 10-16-2022 by Ord. No. O-7-2022]
The owner of a business, an owner of a rental unit or units,
and an owner of a multifamily home of four or fewer units, one of
which is owner-occupied, must annually register the certificate of
insurance with the Township. The owner of a business or the owner
of a rental unit or units shall maintain liability insurance for negligent
acts and omissions in an amount not less than $500,000 for combined
property damage and bodily injury to or death of one or more persons
in any one accident or occurrence.
Without in any way intending to infringe upon the requirements
of N.J.S.A. 46:8-28, all rental units shall be registered and licensed
as provided herein. Every owner shall file with the Township Clerk
or designee of the Township of Elk or such other person as designated
by the Township Committee a registration form for each unit contained
within a building or structure, which shall include the following
information:
A.
The name and address of the record owner or owners of the premises
and the record owner or owners of the rental business if not the same
persons. In the case of a partnership, the names and address of all
general partners shall be provided, together with the telephone numbers
for each of such individuals indicating where such individual may
be reached both during the day and evening hours. If the record owner
is a corporation, the name and address of the registered agent and
corporate officers of said corporation shall be provided, together
with the telephone numbers for each of such individuals indicating
where such individual may be reached both during the day and evening
hours. All registration addresses shall be physical addresses; post
office boxes alone are not acceptable.
B.
If the address of any record owner is not located in Elk Township
or in Gloucester County, the name and address of a person who resides
in Gloucester County and who is authorized to accept notices from
a tenant and to issue receipts therefor and to accept service of process
on behalf of the record owner;
C.
The name and address of the agent of the premises, if any;
D.
The name and address, including the dwelling unit number of the superintendent,
janitor, custodian or other individual employed by the owner or agent
to provide regular maintenance service, if any;
E.
The name, address and telephone number of an individual representative
of the owner or agent who may be reached or contacted at any time
in the event of an emergency affecting the premises or any unit of
dwelling space therein, including such emergencies as the future of
any essential service or system, and who has the authority to make
emergency decisions concerning the building and any repair thereto
or expenditure in connection therewith;
F.
The name and address of every holder of a recorded mortgage on the
premises;
G.
If fuel oil is used to heat the building and the landlord furnishes
the heat in the building, the name and address of the fuel oil dealer
servicing the building;
H.
As to each rental unit, a specification of the exact number of sleeping
rooms contained in the rental unit. In order to satisfy the requirement
of this provision, an owner shall submit a floor plan, which shall
become part of the application and which shall be attached to the
registration form when filed by the Township Clerk or designee;
I.
A classification of the rental unit type using the following abbreviations:
J.
Whether or not the landlord has conducted a tenant screening for
each new tenant and authorized adult household member;
K.
Such other information as may be prescribed by the Township.
The Township Clerk or designee shall index and file the registration
forms. In doing so, the Township Clerk or designee shall follow the
mandates of N.J.S.A. 46:8-28.1, as amended and supplemented, so that
the filing of the registration form will simultaneously satisfy the
registration requirements of N.J.S.A. 46:8-28 to the extent that it
applies to the property being registered and will also satisfy the
registration requirements of this chapter.
Every person required to file a registration form pursuant to
this chapter, shall file an amended registration form within twenty
(20) days after any change in the information required to be included
thereon. No fee shall be required for the filing of an amendment except
where the ownership of the premises is changed.
A.
Each rental unit shall be inspected upon registration and annually
on the renewal anniversary date of the initial registration, or upon
a change in occupancy.
B.
Such inspections shall be performed by such person, persons or agency
duly authorized and appointed by the Township of Elk and inspections
made by persons or an agency other than the duly authorized and appointed
person, persons or agency of the Township of Elk shall not be used
as a valid substitute.
D.
Unsatisfactory inspection. In the event that the inspection(s) of a rental unit does not result in a satisfactory inspection, such property shall not thereafter be registered nor shall a license issue and the owner of the property or his agent shall not lease or rent such property nor shall any tenant occupy the property until the necessary corrections have been made so as to bring the property and rental unit into compliance with the applicable code and the property is thereafter subsequently inspected, registered and licensed. In the event that the property is occupied when such conditions are discovered, all such corrections shall be made within 60 days; and if not made within that time period, the owner shall be deemed in violation of this chapter, and every day that the violation continues shall constitute a separate and distinct violation, subject to the penalty provisions of § 79A-18 of this chapter.
A.
The inspection officers are hereby authorized to make inspections
to determine the condition of rental facilities, rental units and
rooming/boarding houses in order that they may promote the purposes
of this chapter to safeguard the health, safety, welfare of the occupants
of rental facilities, rental units and rooming/boarding houses and
of the general public. For the purposes of making such inspections,
the inspecting officers are hereby authorized to enter, examine and
survey rental facilities, rental units and rooming/boarding houses
at all reasonable times. The owner or occupant of every rental facility,
rental unit and rooming/boarding house shall give the inspecting officer
free access to the rental facility, rental unit and rooming/boarding
house at all reasonable times for the purpose of such inspections,
examinations and surveys.
B.
Every occupant shall give the owner of the rental facility, rental
unit and rooming/boarding house access to any part of such rental
facility, rental unit and rooming/boarding house at all reasonable
times for the purpose of making such repairs or alterations as are
necessary to effect compliance with the provisions of this chapter
or any lawful order issued pursuant thereto.
C.
Complaints. Within 10 days of receipt of a complaint alleging a reported
violation of this chapter, an inspecting officer shall conduct an
inspection.
No person shall hereafter occupy any rental unit nor shall the
owner permit occupancy of any rental unit within the Township of Elk
which has not been inspected or registered and licensed in accordance
with this chapter.
A.
Upon the filing of a completed registration form and payment of the prescribed fee and a satisfactory inspection, the owner shall be entitled to the issuance of a license, indicating the applicable classification designations as provided in § 79A-4I, commencing on the date of issuance and expiring on the same date of the next calendar year. A registration form shall be required for each rental unit and license shall issue to the owner for each rental unit, even if more than one rental unit is contained in the property.
B.
The Mayor and Committee or their designees shall on a yearly basis
review the number and classifications of rental properties and may
declare moratoriums on the issuance of licenses of such classification
or classifications to ensure the health and welfare of the Township
and its residents.
A.
At the time of the filing of the registration form and prior to the issuance of a license, the owner or agent of the owner must pay a registration fee in the sum of $145. If there is no change in occupancy, the annual registration renewal fee shall be $10. Upon change in occupancy, the owner or agent of the owner must pay a registration fee in the sum of $145, and comply with the provisions of § 79A-3 et seq.
[Amended 11-4-2021 by Ord. No. O-15-2021]
B.
If the owner of the property is a senior citizen who resides in a
unit of the property and rents out the remaining unit and would otherwise
qualify under the State of New Jersey property tax deduction under
N.J.S.A. 54:4-8.41, there shall be no fee.
C.
If any fee is not paid within 30 days of its due date, a late fee
surcharge of the prevailing rate as set forth in the applicable resolution
of Township Committee will be assessed.
Every owner shall provide each occupant or tenant occupying
a rental unit with a copy of the registration form required by this
chapter as well as with the "Truth in Renting Handbook" published
by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. This particular
provision shall not apply to any hotel, motel or guest house registered
with the State of New Jersey pursuant to the Hotel and Multiple Dwelling
Act as defined in N.J.S.A. 55:31A-3. This provision may be complied
with by posting a copy of the registration certificate in a conspicuous
place within the rental unit(s).
A.
The maximum number of occupants shall be posted in each rental unit. It shall be unlawful for any person, including the owner, agent, tenant or registered tenant to allow a greater number of persons than the posted maximum number of occupants to sleep in or occupy overnight the rental unit for a period exceeding 29 days. Any person violating this provision shall be subject to the penalty provisions of § 79A-18 of this chapter.
B.
Only those occupants whose names are on file with the Township as required in this chapter may reside in the licensed premises. It shall be unlawful for any other person to reside in said premises and any owner, agent, tenant or registered tenant allowing a nonregistered party to reside in said premises shall be in violation of this section shall be subject to the penalty provisions of § 79A-18 of this chapter.
No rental unit may be registered and no license shall issue
for any property containing a rental unit unless all municipal taxes,
water and sewer charges and any other municipal assessments are paid
on a current basis.
A.
Occupants. Only those occupants whose names are on file with the
Township Clerk as provided in this chapter may reside in the licensed
premises. It shall be unlawful for any other person to reside in said
premises, and this provision may be enforced against the landlord,
tenant or other person residing in said premises.
B.
Nuisance prohibited. No rental facility shall be conducted in a manner
which shall result in any unreasonable disturbance or disruption to
the surrounding properties and property owners or of the public in
general, such that it shall constitute a nuisance as defined in the
ordinances of the Township of Elk.
C.
Compliance with other laws. The maintenance of all rental facilities
and the conduct engaged in upon the premises by occupants and their
guests shall at all times be in full compliance with all applicable
ordinances and regulations of the Township of Elk and with all applicable
state and federal laws.
A.
Grounds. In addition to any other penalty prescribed herein, an owner
may be subject to the revocation or suspension of the license issued
hereunder upon the happening of one or more of the following:
(1)
Conviction of a violation of this chapter in the Municipal Court
or any other court of competent jurisdiction.
(3)
Continuously renting the unit or units to a tenant or tenants who are convicted of a violation of Chapter 74A, Noise, of the Elk Township Code.
(4)
Continuously permitting the rental unit to be occupied by more than
the maximum number of occupants as defined in this chapter.
(5)
Maintaining the rental unit or units or the property in which the
rental unit is a part in a dangerous condition likely to result in
injury to person or property.
B.
Procedure: written complaint; notice; hearing.
(1)
A complaint seeking the revocation or suspension of a license may
be filed by any one or more of the following: Housing Inspector, the
Zoning Enforcement Officer or any other persons or office authorized
to file such complaint. Such complaint shall be in writing and filed
with the Township Clerk or designee. The complaint shall be specific
and shall be sufficient to apprise the licensee of the charges so
as to permit the licensee to present a defense. The individual(s)
filing the complaint may do so on the basis of information and belief
and need not rely on personal information.
(2)
Upon the filing of such written complaint, the Township Clerk or
designee shall immediately inform the Township Committee and a date
for a hearing shall be scheduled which shall not be sooner than 10
nor more than 30 days thereafter. The Township Clerk or designee shall
forward a copy of the complaint and a notice as to the date of the
hearing to the licensee and the agent, if any, at the address indicated
on the registration form. Service upon the agent shall be sufficient.
(3)
The hearing required by this section shall be held before the Township
Committee unless, in its discretion, the Township Committee determines
that the matter should be heard by a hearing officer, who shall be
appointed by the Township Committee. If the matter is referred to
a hearing officer, such officer shall transmit his findings of fact,
conclusions of law, and recommendation for penalty to the Township
Committee within 30 days of the conclusion of the hearing. The Township
Committee shall then review the matter and may accept, reject, or
modify the recommendations of the hearing officer based on the record
before such hearing officer. In the event that the matter is not referred
to a hearing officer and is heard by the Township Committee, then
the Township Committee shall render a decision within 30 days of the
conclusion of the hearing. Following the hearing, a decision shall
be rendered, dismissing the complaint, revoking or suspending the
license or determining that the license shall not be renewed or reissued
for one or more subsequent license years.
(4)
The hearing shall be recorded. All witnesses shall be sworn prior
to testifying. The rules of evidence shall not be strictly applied,
and the evidential rules and burden of proof shall be those that generally
control administrative hearings.
(5)
The Township Solicitor or his designee shall appear and prosecute
on behalf of the complainant in all hearings conducted pursuant to
this section.
C.
Defenses. It shall be a defense to any proceeding for the revocation,
suspension, or other disciplinary action involving a rental license
by demonstrating that the owner has abated the conditions or circumstances
giving rise to the revocation proceeding, including but not limited
to the institution of legal action against the tenant(s), occupant(s)
or guest(s) for recovery of the premises, eviction of the tenant(s)
or otherwise.
Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall,
upon conviction in the Municipal Court of the Township of Elk or such
other court having jurisdiction, be liable to a fine not exceeding
$1,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 30 days, or both.
Each day that a violation occurs shall be deemed a separate and distinct
violations subject to the penalty provisions of this chapter.
Should any section, clause, sentence, phrase or provision of
this chapter be declared unconstitutional or invalid by a Court of
competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the remaining
portions of this chapter.
All prior ordinances or parts of ordinances inconsistent with
this chapter be and the same are hereby repealed to the extent of
such inconsistencies.
This chapter shall take effect immediately upon final passage
and publication in accordance with law
