Trenton, NJ Residential Lease Agreement

Trenton · Mercer County, New Jersey

Trenton municipal data verified: June 30, 2026

Page content reviewed: August 19, 2026

Download Trenton lease (Word)Open to print or save as PDF

Free, no email required. The Word file is a blank you fill in; the print version opens in a new tab and saves as a PDF from your browser's print dialog. Both include Trenton's municipal addendum.

What Trenton requires before the tenant moves in

Rental Housing Certificate of Occupancy.

When it applies. Required on every change of occupancy; tenant may not move in until the inspector approves.

Who handles it. Division of Housing Inspections

From the ordinance. Certificate issued in the tenant's name and valid while that tenant occupies the unit; unit must be vacant, clean, and have utilities on for inspection. First inspection and first reinspection free; $50 for a second reinspection. Rentals also inspected at least once every five years.

What that means for your lease start date

The lease start date in Section 2 of the template is the date the tenant is entitled to occupy the unit. In Trenton that date should fall after the certificate or inspection above has been issued, not before it. Schedule the inspection first, then write the start date.

If the certificate slips, the tenant cannot lawfully take occupancy on the day the lease says they can, and you are holding a signed contract you cannot perform. The copy of the lease on this page carries Trenton's requirement as a printed addendum so the person signing it can see the same thing.

Official sources

Verified 2026-06-30 against the sources above. Ordinances change; confirm with Division of Housing Inspections before the tenant moves in.

Required statewide, on top of Trenton's rule

Register as a landlord (New Jersey Landlord Registration / Identity Law, N.J.S.A. 46:8-27 to 46:8-37). File within 30 days, or at creation of the first tenancy in a newly constructed/reconstructed building (46:8-28). Give each tenant a copy of the registration certificate at the start of a new tenancy (46:8-29). File an amended certificate within 20 days of any change to the form's information (46:8-28.2).

File with the right office. One-unit or two-unit non-owner-occupied: Municipal clerk of the town where the property is located (or the official the clerk designates). Three or more units: NJ DCA Bureau of Housing Inspection. Owners of tenant-occupied single-family and two-family properties must also file a registration with the DCA Bureau of Housing Inspection (46:8-28.5), with limited exceptions (e.g., certified lead-free or post-1978 owner-occupied two-family, seasonal rental under 6 months).

If you do not register. In an action for possession by a non-compliant landlord, no judgment for possession until registration; the court continues the case up to 90 days, then dismisses (46:8-33). Penalty up to $500 per offense (46:8-35); tenant rights cannot be waived (46:8-36).

Questions

Does Trenton require a certificate of occupancy before a new tenant moves in?

Yes. Trenton runs a Rental Housing Certificate of Occupancy. Required on every change of occupancy; tenant may not move in until the inspector approves. Certificate issued in the tenant's name and valid while that tenant occupies the unit; unit must be vacant, clean, and have utilities on for inspection. First inspection and first reinspection free; $50 for a second reinspection. Rentals also inspected at least once every five years. Confirm current details with Division of Housing Inspections and the official sources on this page.

When can the lease start in Trenton?

Set the start date after the certificate or inspection is issued, not before. Required on every change of occupancy; tenant may not move in until the inspector approves. If the certificate is late, the tenant cannot lawfully take occupancy on the date written in the lease, which is the problem this page exists to prevent.

Do I still have to register as a landlord in Trenton?

Yes. Trenton's municipal requirement is on top of, not instead of, New Jersey's statewide Landlord Registration / Identity Law (N.J.S.A. 46:8-27 to 46:8-37). Both apply.

Related

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Consult a licensed attorney or real estate professional for advice specific to your situation.