[Added 12-20-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-19]
The purpose of this article is to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all tenants residing in rental properties, as well as all other residents of the Township of Frelinghuysen.
[Added 12-20-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-19]
For use in this article only, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:
Any person who owns any legally cognizable interest in any rental property, including, but not limited to, outright ownership or ownership through a partnership, corporation or limited liability company.
The primary residential living unit of the owner is located within the rental property.
Any house, structure, building or structure rented or offered for rent, for living and dwelling purposes to individuals or family units.
Any individual unit located within a rental property, and which is rented or offered for rent for living and dwelling purposes to individuals or family units.
Those persons who have leased the rental unit from the owner, regardless of the type of tenancy under which they occupy the rental unit.
[Added 12-20-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-19]
a.
The provisions of this article shall not apply to owner-occupied units located within a rental property.
b.
The provisions of this article shall not apply to rental properties under the supervision of a public housing authority or that exclusively provide restricted housing for the developmentally disabled.
[Added 12-20-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-19]
a.
On or before January 1 of each year, the owner of every rental property in the Township of Frelinghuysen and regulated by this article, with the exception of owner-occupied two-unit premises, shall file a rental property registration statement with the Municipal Clerk. Forms for said filing can be obtained from the Municipal Clerk or from the Municipal website. The Municipal Clerk shall provide copies of all rental property registration statements to all applicable local agencies. Said information will be kept confidential, and any personal identifying information will not be distributed or utilized in any manner not set forth herein unless required by law.
b.
The rental property registration statement form shall require the submission of the following information:
1.
The name, address and telephone number of the record owner or owners of the rental property. In the case of a partnership, the names of all general partners shall be provided. If the record owner is a corporation or limited liability company, the name and address of the registered agent and corporate officers or principals of said corporation or limited liability company;
2.
If the address of any record owner is not located in the county in which the rental property is located, the name, address and telephone number of a person who resides in the county in which the rental property is located and 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;
3.
The name, address and telephone number of the managing agent of the rental property, if any;
4.
The name, address and telephone number, including the dwelling unit, apartment or room number, of the superintendent, janitor, custodian or other individual employed by the record owner or managing agent to provide regular maintenance service, if any;
5.
The name, address and telephone number of an individual representative of the record owner or managing agent who may be reached or contacted at any time in the event of an emergency affecting the rental property or any unit of dwelling space therein, including such emergencies as the failure of any essential service or system, and who has the authority to make emergency decisions concerning the building, any repair thereto, disruption of utilities or expenditures in connection therewith and shall, at all times, have access to a current list of building tenants that shall be made available to emergency personnel as required in the event of an emergency;
6.
The name and address of every holder of a recorded mortgage on the rental property, and
7.
If fuel is used to heat the building and the landlord furnishes the heat in the building, the name and address of the fuel dealer servicing the building and the type of fuel used.
c.
Every landlord required to file a certificate of registration hereunder file an amended certificate of registration within 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.
[Added 12-20-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-19]
a.
The following is the rental unit license fee schedule:
Number of Units | Annual License Fee |
|---|---|
2 or fewer | $25 |
3 or more | $10 per unit |
b.
The annual rental unit license registration and fee are due and payable to the Township of Frelinghuysen on January 1 of each year with a thirty-day grace period for same. Failure to register as of February 1 will be considered in violation of this article and a late fee of $5 per month, per unit, will be assessed.
[Added 12-20-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-19]
Any person violating any of the provisions of this article, upon conviction thereof, shall be liable to a penalty of not less than $50 nor more than $500 for each violation. In addition, the owner will be subject to the increased license fees established in § 19-5 for failure to timely register the rental unit.