New Jersey short-term rentals would need an owner on site

In New Jersey, a short-term rental would stop being a leave-the-key-and-go arrangement under Sen. Joseph A. Lagana’s bill. The owner of the transient accommodation, or someone acting for the owner, would have to be present during the stay unless the booking runs longer than 30 days or the tenant agrees in writing to something different.

The proposal reaches rentals booked through a transient space marketplace or travel agency, including some residences and professionally managed units. It also would limit each property to one short-term rental agreement at a time, blocking overlapping bookings for the same space.

The price of crossing the line

A violation would carry a $1,000 civil penalty. The bill says those penalties could be enforced in Superior Court in the county where the property is located, and the measure would take effect on the first day of the first month after enactment.