Initial cap1.5 × monthly rent
General statutory maximum.
Additional annual security≤ 10% of current deposit
The statute separately limits additional annual security collections.
Keep different upfront charges separate
When reviewing an upfront move-in bill, identify what is actually labeled and treated as a security deposit versus rent, a fee or another charge. The statutory deposit cap applies to security.
Check the exact statutory category. New Jersey has special deposit timelines for defined displacement and lease-termination situations. Do not replace the ordinary 30-day rule with a shorter period unless the statutory conditions actually apply.
Official sources
New Jersey Department of Community AffairsN.J.S.A. 46:8-19 through 26 — Security Deposit Law ↗
Official DCA publication of New Jersey’s Security Deposit Law, including the 30-day return rule, 1.5-month cap, interest/trust requirements and special shorter timelines.
New Jersey Department of Community AffairsNew Jersey Security Deposit Bulletin — revised July 2025 ↗Current DCA plain-language bulletin summarizing applicability, deposit amount, interest, return, deductions and special displacement rules.