State Specific Question About: NEW JERSEY (NJ)

Vincent, you should check your local codes to determine what your state requires. In MA it's May 31 & a quick search for NJ show that it's May 15.

For MA - 410.180 Temperature requirements

Regulation requires temperatures of at least 64 degrees Fahrenheit at night and 68 degrees during the day from September 15 to May 31. Temperatures should not exceed 78 degrees. A Board of Health may alter the heating season to start September 30 and end May 15, so check the applicable municipality website for notice.

For NJ - Utility requirements

From October 1st to May 15th, the rental premises shall be maintained at a temperature of at

least 68 degrees Fahrenheit between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.; between the hours

of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. the rental premises shall be maintained at a temperature of at least

65 degrees Fahrenheit. The hot water temperature should be maintained at a minimum of 120 degrees and a maximum of a 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

Utility companies are prohibited from shutting off utilities in tenant-occupied buildings whose owners have failed to make payments, without first notifying the tenant of the impending disconnection. Before disconnecting utility services, the utility company must give the tenant an

opportunity to agree to make future payments.

here's a copy and paste from maybe 10 years ago:

STATE HEAT AND UTILITY REQUIREMENTS

The Hotel and Multiple Dwelling regulations establish heating standards for buildings with three (3) or more units. For buildings with fewer than three (3) units, tenants need to contact their local building or health offi ces for enforcement of local ordinances regarding heating. Every unit or dwelling space must have a heating system that will provide and maintain heat at a temperature of 68 degrees F. The landlord is responsible for maintaining a temperature of at least 68 degrees F. from October 1 to May 1, from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and 65 degrees F. at other hours, supplying the required fuel or energy, and maintaining the heating system in good condition so that it can provide the required amount of heat. However, a landlord and a tenant may agree that the tenant will supply heat to a dwelling unit when the unit is served by separate heating equipment and the source of that heat

can be separately computed and billed.

The State Board of Public Utilities (BPU)

enforces regulations that prohibit utility

companies from shutting off utilities in tenant-occupied buildings whose owners have and the Regulations for the Maintenance of Hotels and Multiple Dwellings. Every

owner of a multiple dwelling that has three (3) or more units in a building structure

or a hotel must fi le a certifi cate of registration with the Bureau. Multiple dwellings

and hotels are required to be inspected at least once every fi ve (5) years.

The Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law gives the Commissioner of the Department

of Community Affairs power to issue and enforce regulations and to levy penalties

to ensure that multiple dwellings are maintained so that they do not endanger the

health, safety or welfare of the tenants or the general public. Both landlords and

tenants must maintain buildings so that there is no violation of these regulations.

Tenants must take care of their units and report any code violations to the

landlord or superintendent and upon one-day notice, shall allow the landlord or

his representative to enter the unit to make any inspections, repairs or alterations

required in order to meet code requirements. In case of an emergency, immediate

access shall be granted. (57) The landlord must keep the property in good repair, clean,

free of infestation and free of any hazards or nuisances that might be harmful to the

health or safety of the occupants, and must provide basic maintenance, including

heat, building security, smoke alarm systems, or detectors and properly functioning

plumbing and electrical systems, etc.