Bayonne · Tenant screening

Can they turn me down for a housing voucher in Bayonne?

No. Vouchers count as income.

Turning you down for a voucher is illegal.

Why, and the exact law

Depends on the number of units or whether the owner lives in the building.

From the State of New Jersey, read Oct 1, 2026.
Show the law

“The LAD also prohibits housing discrimination based on the source of lawful income or source of lawful rent or mortgage payment a tenant or purchaser uses …”

N.J.S.A. 10:5-12 · nj.gov · found word for word in the source

Applying? See all the limits

Who can help

  1. Get free legal helpIf your landlord won't fix it.Legal Services of New Jersey
  2. Find a lawyerReferral service of the State Bar.New Jersey State Bar
Every rule here, word for word (3)

State law applies here too. Where both cover a rental, the stricter city rule usually wins; each rule below says so.

New Jersey lawDepends on the building

NJ Law Against Discrimination: source of lawful income

Can they turn me down for a housing voucher?

No. Vouchers count as income.

Turning you down for a voucher is illegal.

Depends on the number of units or whether the owner lives in the building.

Who it covers

  • Not owner-occupied buildings with 2 units or fewer.
  • Exemptions: Rental of a single apartment in an owner-occupied two-family dwelling; rooms in an owner-occupied one-family home; religious organization preference.
The law, word for word

“The LAD also prohibits housing discrimination based on the source of lawful income or source of lawful rent or mortgage payment a tenant or purchaser uses …”

N.J.S.A. 10:5-12 · nj.gov · Retrieved Oct 1, 2026

Quote checked word for word

New Jersey lawDepends on the building

New Jersey Fair Chance in Housing Act

Can they ask about my criminal record?

They can't ask about your record before an offer.

After an offer, most convictions count only for 1-6 years; a few serious crimes always can.

Depends on the number of units or whether the owner lives in the building.

Who it covers

  • Not owner-occupied buildings with 4 units or fewer.
  • Exemptions: Dwelling units in an owner-occupied premises of not more than four dwelling units.
In force since
Jan 1, 2022
Enacted
Jun 18, 2021
The law, word for word

“A housing provider shall not make any oral or written inquiry regarding an applicant’s criminal record prior to making a conditional offer …”

N.J.S.A. 46:8-52 to 46:8-64 · pub.njleg.gov · Retrieved Oct 1, 2026

Quote checked word for word

No other rule found

No Bayonne local tenant-screening ordinance in the documents; the state Fair Chance in Housing Act and LAD apply.

The law, word for word

“A housing provider shall not make any oral or written inquiry regarding an applicant’s criminal record prior to making a conditional offer …”

N.J.S.A. 46:8-52 to 46:8-64 · pub.njleg.gov · Retrieved Oct 1, 2026

Quote checked word for word

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Information about the law, not legal advice.