Housing Justice Project

• Keep a photo ID with you, preferably one with your address.
• Keep a copy of your lease on your person. If you don’t have a lease, request one from your landlord or keep a piece of mail that connects you to the property. 
• Keep a copy of your court documents outside your residence (like in your car).
• Call the police to report illegal lockouts. If you don’t feel safe calling the police, you can still file a suit against your landlord for unlawful eviction. 

1. Call The Police: They can prevent or officially document the lockout.
2. Ask For Documentation: Get a copy of the police report. Ask the officers if the landlord has a judgment of possession and a warrant of removal. This can be found on NJ eCourts.
3. File a Complaint and Order to Show Cause: You can find the required forms on the NJ Courts Website. You will need to file:
   • Complaint: This outlines the legal wrong that occurred. You should specify that you were unlawfully evicted and detail what the landlord did.
   • Order to Show Cause: This document asks the court to give you a date when you can come to court and explain your case to a judge.

An illegal lockout is when a landlord removes a tenant from a property without following the required steps for a legal eviction. A legal eviction can only take place after your landlord files for and wins a case in New Jersey Superior Court. 

Here are the following steps for a legal eviction: 

1. Tenant is notified of an eviction filing and given the opportunity to appear in court.
2. Court enters a judgment of possession, giving the landlord the right to take back possession of the property.
3. After the landlord requests a Warrant of Removal, a court officer posts a 3-day notice to vacate on the door of the premises.
4. Court officer can remove tenant from the premises three days after the posting.

If you were evicted and any of the above steps were not completed, you may have been locked out illegally and may be entitled to relief. 

If you were evicted, a landlord cannot dispose of your personal property unless they followed the required steps for legal eviction AND gave notice about your property.

Unless you live in a manufactured or mobile home, your property must be stored for 30 days after the notice is delivered or 33 days after it is mailed, whichever comes first. If a landlord unlawfully holds or disposes of your property, you are not responsible for the cost of storing the property and are entitled to up to twice the actual damages.

If this happens, document with pictures of any damaged or disposed of property.

• A clerk at the courthouse can provide copies of forms for filing an illegal eviction or complaint and help you fill them out. Be as detailed as possible in any filing.
• Bring any pictures or other evidence, such as a copy of your lease, photos of your padlock on the door, etc. 
• The New Jersey court website has guides for filing these documents, as well as a fee waiver form if you cannot afford the associated filing fees. 

For more information, please visit https://www.njcourts.gov/self-help/landlord-tenant

For legal help with illegal lockouts:

• South Jersey Legal Services 

Phone: 1-800-496-4570

• Volunteer Up Legal Clinic

Phone: 856-217-8686 

Residents of Essex County seeking representation in an eviction proceeding can contact: 

• Essex-Newark Legal Services

Phone: 973-624-4500 or apply online here and 

• Volunteer Lawyers for Justice

Phone: 973-645-1955 or apply online here. 

If you are interested in tenant organizing in Essex County, NJ, contact:

•  Greater Newark HUD Tenants Coalition

Phone: 862-520-7052

If you are interested in tenant organizing in Elizabeth, Passaic, or Perth Amboy, NJ, contact:

•  Make the Road New Jersey

Phone: 908-368-1196

For a conveniently located and supportive space for tenant organizers to gather in Orange NJ, please contact:

•  The HUUB 

Phone: 973-674-0010

•  University of Orange

Email: office@orangehuub.org

Additional resources:

• Fair Share Housing Housing Center
  Phone: (856) 665-5444
• My Resource Pal