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Terms Used In New Jersey Statutes 46:8-9.5

  • Lease: A contract transferring the use of property or occupancy of land, space, structures, or equipment in consideration of a payment (e.g., rent). Source: OCC
  • State: extends to and includes any State, territory or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia and the Canal Zone. See New Jersey Statutes 1:1-2
2. The Legislature finds and declares:

a. Domestic violence is a serious crime that materially affects the health and safety of numerous New Jersey tenants and there are thousands of persons in this State who are regularly beaten, tortured, sexually assaulted and, in some cases, killed by their spouses or cohabitants;

b. The inability to terminate a lease and its corresponding financial obligations may prevent domestic violence victims from leaving abusive relationships and seeking help;

c. Domestic violence victims require an efficient method of terminating their lease obligations to escape abuse without that damaging their credit and rental history and, consequently, their ability to secure other safe housing; and

d. The assistance and cooperation of the entire community, including landlords, neighbors, and employers, is necessary to reduce the incidence of domestic violence in our State.

L.2008, c.111, s.2.