NJ Courts Prepare For Onslaught Of Coronavirus Eviction Cases

NEW JERSEY — The New Jersey court system is bracing for an onslaught of coronavirus eviction cases, with nearly 200,000 new filings expected by the end of the year, administrators said Wednesday.

Residential evictions are still on hold under a pandemic moratorium imposed by Gov. Phil Murphy, which also suspended most landlord-tenant trials. But once the moratorium is lifted, there will likely be a “flood” of cases across the state, according to a report from a New Jersey Supreme Court special committee.

That includes more than 50,000 pending eviction cases and more than 194,000 new filings expected by 2022, administrators said.

The report, which the New Jersey Supreme Court is planning to consider by the end of May, outlines 18 recommendations to cope with the immediate impact of COVID-19. It also contains long-term improvements for the handling of other landlord-tenant matters. Read it here.

Some of the key recommendations include:

• Hire and train legal specialists
• Create “structured opportunities” to resolve landlord-tenant matters at case management and settlement conferences
• Connect people with rental resources available through the state Department of Community Affairs and other sources

The situation is urgent for both tenants and landlords; one out of three New Jersey residents rent their homes, the report says.

“COVID-19 has left tens of thousands of tenants struggling or unable to pay their rent,” court administrators said. “At the same time, landlords who rely on rent to pay their bills have seen their own livelihoods placed in jeopardy.”

Members of the public have until May 21 to submit comments on the report.

• See related article: More Coronavirus Aid Offered For NJ Home Renters (How To Apply)

It isn’t just New Jersey that’s feeling the pain.

By the end of 2020, U.S. renters were estimated to owe anywhere from $30 billion to $70 billion in back rent, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition.

Meanwhile, an estimated 22.1 million rental properties in the U.S. are owned by "mom-and-pop" landlords, who depend on monthly rent payments for income or to pay their mortgages on properties.

• See related article: Mom-And-Pop Landlords 'Helpless,' Hurt Under Eviction Moratoriums

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