Green American Property Management

Who we help

Help for first-time landlords in New Jersey

Renting out a home for the first time involves more steps in New Jersey than most people expect: pricing, municipal paperwork, state certificates, deposit rules, screening rules and a lease. We'll walk you through all of it, or handle it for you.

Get a free quoteCall (856) 796-3780
House keys next to a small model house on a wooden table
  1. 01

    Check the numbers

    Mortgage, taxes, insurance and repairs against realistic rent.

  2. 02

    Get the paperwork right

    Registration, certificates and the Truth in Renting statement.

  3. 03

    Choose a tenant fairly

    Written criteria, applied to everyone, within NJ law.

  4. 04

    Decide how hands-on to be

    Self-manage, or hand the daily work to a local team.

Your first-rental checklist

  1. Budget. Add up the mortgage, taxes, insurance, HOA fees and a repair reserve. Compare with a realistic rent.
  2. Insurance. A homeowner's policy usually doesn't cover a rental. Ask your agent about a landlord (dwelling fire) policy.
  3. Make-ready. Fix safety issues, test every appliance and lock, install alarms, clean and photograph every room.
  4. Paperwork. Register as a landlord, check your town's rental requirements, and arrange the smoke and CO certificate and any lead-safe inspection.
  5. Screening. Write your criteria before advertising, and follow the Fair Chance in Housing Act.
  6. Lease and deposit. Use a clear written lease and follow the security deposit rules.

Mistakes we see most often

  • Pricing from what the owner needs rather than what the market pays
  • Skipping written screening criteria, or skipping screening for someone "who seems nice"
  • Collecting more than one and a half months' rent as a deposit, or not giving the required bank notice
  • Not knowing that changing locks to remove a tenant is illegal in New Jersey

When to bring in a manager

If you'd rather not learn all of this by trial and error, full-service property management covers every step. Our article things landlords should know before renting is a good next read either way.

Questions

Questions and answers

Something else? Call (856) 796-3780 or see all questions.

  • There's no state landlord license, but New Jersey requires landlord registration, and many towns require rental registration or inspections.

  • Yes. Tenant placement covers marketing, screening, the lease and move-in. Ask about it at your consultation.

Other owners we work with

Turnersville, NJ · (856) 796-3780

Free property management consultation

Tell us about your rental. We reply within one business day to set up a free, no-obligation consultation at our Turnersville office or by phone.

Get a free quote Call (856) 796-3780

Current tenant? Pay rent or request a repair.

Call usGet a free quote