Landlord Registration & Certificate of Occupancy in Howell, NJ

Howell · Monmouth County, New Jersey

Howell municipal data verified: August 31, 2026

Page content reviewed: August 19, 2026

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General information, not legal advice. This page summarizes how New Jersey's statewide landlord-registration law works and what we have (or have not yet) confirmed about Howell's local certificate-of-occupancy requirement. Always confirm current details with the municipal office before you rent.

How to register as a landlord in Howell

New Jersey's New Jersey Landlord Registration / Identity Law (N.J.S.A. 46:8-27 to 46:8-37) applies statewide, so the registration requirement is the same in Howell as it is everywhere else in New Jersey. It requires landlords to file a certificate of registration identifying who owns and manages the property and who to reach in an emergency.

Where to file

  • One-unit rentals, and two-unit non-owner-occupied properties: Municipal clerk of the town where the property is located (or the official the clerk designates).
  • Three or more units (multiple dwellings): NJ DCA Bureau of Housing Inspection.
  • Single- and two-family rentals (2007 amendment): 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).

Key obligations

  • 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).

If you don't 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).

Official source: NJ DCA - Landlord Identity Law (N.J.S.A. 46:8-27 to 46:8-37) (PDF)

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Certificate of occupancy / rental inspection in Howell

N.J.S.A. 40:48-2.12a and 40:48-2.12m authorize municipalities to require a certificate of inspection or occupancy for residential rental property prior to a new occupancy. This is why the requirement exists town-by-town rather than as one statewide process.

Confirmed requirementVerified August 2026Checked against the official sources listed below
Program
Rental Certificate (issued with Landlord Registration on a combined application)
Office
Department of Community Development, Code Enforcement / Housing, Township of Howell, 4567 Route 9 North, Howell NJ 07731; 732-938-4500 ext. 2336 (housing) or ext. 2330 (code enforcement)
When it's triggered
Annually, and at any change of ownership or tenancy. Each rental unit must be inspected annually as well as any time there is a change of ownership or tenancy.
What to know
Township Code Ch. 178 (Housing Code; Rental Property), Art. II, Secs. 178-18, 178-22 and 178-25, as amended by Ordinance O-24-24. Sec. 178-22B: 'Each rental unit shall be inspected annually as well as any time there is a change of ownership or tenancy.' Applies to all rental units including single-family dwellings; as of 2026 single-family rentals must obtain a Rental Certificate yearly with inspection, and a separate Certificate of Smoke and Carbon Monoxide compliance from the Howell Fire Bureau is also required. Fees: $150 Rental Certificate per unit plus $100 Landlord Registration ($250 combined). No exemption for owner-occupied or small properties was found. Verify the current fee schedule before relying on the amounts.

Local programs and fees change. Confirm the current rule with Department of Community Development, Code Enforcement / Housing, Township of Howell, 4567 Route 9 North, Howell NJ 07731; 732-938-4500 ext. 2336 (housing) or ext. 2330 (code enforcement) before relying on it.

Howell landlord FAQs

Do I have to register as a landlord in Howell?

Yes. New Jersey's Landlord Registration / Identity Law (N.J.S.A. 46:8-27 to 46:8-37) applies statewide, including Howell. For a single-unit rental or a two-unit non-owner-occupied property you file with the municipal clerk; for three or more units you file with the NJ DCA Bureau of Housing Inspection. A 2007 amendment also requires single- and two-family rental owners to file with the DCA.

Does Howell require a certificate of occupancy before renting?

Yes. Howell runs a Rental Certificate (issued with Landlord Registration on a combined application). Annually, and at any change of ownership or tenancy. Each rental unit must be inspected annually as well as any time there is a change of ownership or tenancy. Township Code Ch. 178 (Housing Code; Rental Property), Art. II, Secs. 178-18, 178-22 and 178-25, as amended by Ordinance O-24-24. Sec. 178-22B: 'Each rental unit shall be inspected annually as well as any time there is a change of ownership or tenancy.' Applies to all rental units including single-family dwellings; as of 2026 single-family rentals must obtain a Rental Certificate yearly with inspection, and a separate Certificate of Smoke and Carbon Monoxide compliance from the Howell Fire Bureau is also required. Fees: $150 Rental Certificate per unit plus $100 Landlord Registration ($250 combined). No exemption for owner-occupied or small properties was found. Verify the current fee schedule before relying on the amounts. Confirm current details with Department of Community Development, Code Enforcement / Housing, Township of Howell, 4567 Route 9 North, Howell NJ 07731; 732-938-4500 ext. 2336 (housing) or ext. 2330 (code enforcement) and the official sources on this page.

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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.