New Jersey Rental Guide 2022

Where can I obtain my credit report? Following the implementation of a law called the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) in 1970, each of the three national credit bureaus must provide, upon request, one free credit report every twelve months. You may obtain your free credit reports by putting a request in with The Annual Credit Report Request Service (their contact information is provided below). Although many other providers advertise free credit reports, this is the only provider certified by the Federal Trade Commission to provide this information to the public. The Annual Credit Report Request Service (http://www.annualcreditreport.com/) P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281 Call: 1-877-322-8228 How do I check my credit score? Your credit score will NOT be included in your free credit report; this must be purchased from each national credit bureau separately. Many private companies advertise credit score determination; however, the terms and conditions of their offers vary greatly between companies and fraudulent advertisements are common. MOVING IN The following procedure typically applies to the moving-out process as well (albeit in reverse). Tenants are advised to inquire about their building’s particular moving-in/out policy for further guidance. Schedule Your Move-in Once the lease-signing is completed, it is important to confirm the move-in policy with the owner before making arrangements with movers. This policy is usually included in the supplemental paperwork accompanying the lease such as welcome packets or house rules (see “Sample Documents: Stabilized Lease”). Many buildings only allow tenants to move in during weekdays within specific hours. Sometimes new tenants are required to schedule their move-in date or reserve the use of an elevator in advance with the building management (this is typical of high-rise buildings). In buildings where there is no timetable for move-ins, as may be the case with non-doorman or walk-up buildings, it is customary to avoid late night hours and very early mornings out of consideration for other tenants. Often, a landlord will request that movers hired by tenants provide a Certificate of Insurance (COI) before the tenant’s move-in date. This certificate verifies that the company has enough insurance coverage to pay for any damages they may cause to the building. Most reliable companies will be certified and accustomed to such requests. These can usually be transferred via email to the landlord/building management at no cost to the tenant. Furthermore, some owners may require a move-in deposit from you, the tenant, to additionally cover any damages that may occur during the moving process. This would be requested at the lease signing or during the submission of a board package (see “Sample Documents: Board Package”).

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Rental Guide: New Jersey