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Eviction timeline in New Jersey

New Jersey Eviction Timeline

Uncontested: 30–60 days  ·  Contested: 90–180 days  ·  Under N.J.S.A. § 46:8 & N.J.S.A. § 2A:18 (Landlord and Tenant; Anti-Eviction Act)

The New Jersey eviction process requires a court-ordered judgment before a landlord can remove a tenant. Timeline figures below begin after the pre-filing notice period expires and the landlord files the complaint with the court. Add 3–60+ days for the applicable pre-filing notice period (pay-or-quit, cure-or-quit, or no-fault) depending on the eviction reason.

New Jersey Eviction Timeline at a Glance1

30–60 days Uncontested
90–180 days Contested
$50–$100 Court filing fee
$750–$3,500 Attorney fees (est.)
#31 of 51 Fastest nationally
Uncontested eviction (after filing) 30–60 days N.J.S.A. § 46:8 & N.J.S.A. § 2A:18 (Landlord and Tenant; Anti-Eviction Act)
Contested eviction (after filing) 90–180 days N.J.S.A. § 46:8 & N.J.S.A. § 2A:18 (Landlord and Tenant; Anti-Eviction Act)
Pre-filing notice: Nonpayment of rent 0 days N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1(a)
Pre-filing notice: Disorderly conduct 3 days N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1(b)
Pre-filing notice: Willful damage to premises 3 days N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1(c)
Pre-filing notice: Substantial violation of lease 30 days N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1(d)
Pre-filing notice: Owner move-in or substantial renovation 60 days N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1(l)
Court filing fee $50–$100 N.J.S.A. § 46:8 & N.J.S.A. § 2A:18 (Landlord and Tenant; Anti-Eviction Act)

Step-by-step New Jersey eviction process

Day-by-day, every stage.

Each row's day-label is the cumulative start of that stage on the worst-case clock.
Pre-filing Notice File Court Lockout
  1. Same day
    1
    Stage 1 · Gate

    Confirm Anti-Eviction Act coverage

    Day 1

    Most NJ residential rentals are covered. Exemptions: owner-occupied with 3 or fewer rental units, hotels/motels, transient accommodations, dorms.

  2. 0–60d
    2
    Stage 2 · Serve

    Identify ground and serve notice

    Day 1

    One of 18 enumerated grounds under 2A:18-61.1. Two-step notice (Cease then Quit) for most non-monetary grounds. No statutory pre-suit notice for nonpayment.

  3. 1–3d
    3
    Stage 3 · File

    File Complaint in Special Civil Part

    Day 61

    Superior Court Special Civil Part, Landlord/Tenant section. $50 per defendant filing fee. Complaint must specifically plead the Anti-Eviction Act ground.

  4. 10–14d
    4
    Stage 4 · Court

    Service and 10-day answer window

    Day 64

    Special Civil Part Officer serves the summons. Tenant has 10 days to answer or appear at the case-management conference.

  5. 14–30d
    5
    Stage 5 · Court

    Case management conference and trial

    Day 78

    Conference 2-4 weeks after service. About 60% of cases resolve here. Trial within 2-4 weeks if needed.

  6. 3–180d
    6
    Stage 6 · Lockout

    Judgment and Warrant of Removal

    Day 108

    After judgment, court issues Warrant of Removal. Special Civil Part Officer serves with 3 business days notice before lockout. Tenant may request hardship stay up to 6 months.

  7. Day 288
    ✓
    Possession recovered
    Worst case · Day 288
Timelines begin at court filing, not notice service. The New Jersey timelines above start when the landlord files the eviction complaint with the court. Add pre-filing notice periods (3–60 days depending on eviction reason) to get the full end-to-end timeline. Self-help eviction, changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities, is illegal in New Jersey and exposes the landlord to significant damages.

Other Guides for New Jersey

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Informational only, not legal advice. Consult a licensed New Jersey attorney. Source attribution in the Sources band below.