If a landlord performs an illegal lockout, the tenant should call the police immediately. Under
the New Jersey Criminal Code, N.J.S.A 2C:33:11, if the landlord refuses to allow the tenant back
into the premises after the police have warned the landlord about the illegal procedure, the
landlord may be charged with a disorderly person’s offense. “It shall be the duty of the (police)
officer to prevent the landlord or any other person from obstructing or hindering the reentry and
reoccupancy of the dwelling by the displaced occupant.” The landlord must take a tenant to
court before he can be evicted. Only a judge can order a legal eviction. If the tenant does not
show up to court on the hearing date the tenant may be evicted by default.
If you are a tenant who is being wrongly evicted you should consult an attorney for legal
assistance. If you can’t afford an attorney, you may contact Legal Services of New Jersey to see
if you qualify for free or reduced costs for legal services, call 1 888-576-5529. If a residential
tenant receives a letter during a foreclosure proceeding or after a foreclosure from a licensed real
estate agent in violation of the New Jersey Eviction Law or the New Jersey Foreclosure Fairness
Act, the tenant may contact the New Jersey Real Estate Commission at (609) 292-7272 to file a
complaint against the real estate agent. See our Grounds for an Eviction Bulletin for good
causes for an eviction and notice requirements.