On Tuesday, January 19th, Attorney Cara Parmigiani gave Mount Olive renters some tips on managing some of their most frequently-encountered issues during a Zoom presentation hosted by the Mount Olive Democrats. Topics included security deposits (what they cover and how to get all or most of them back), landlord/renter relations and the possibility of eviction during the precarious age of COVID.
Ms. Parmigiani, who—in addition to practicing law from her office in Mountain Lakes—is also a civically-minded Morris County resident who has run for spots on the county’s Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Morris Plains Borough Council. She has become an expert in renters’ issues not just as a lawyer, but as a rental property owner, and she finds guiding renters through their legal matters is one of the most satisfying aspect of her work. As both a lawyer and a landlord, she sincerely wants to help people stay in their homes without fear of being displaced.
The information-packed hour-long webinar included discussion of Governor Murphy’s moratorium on evictions during the pandemic as well as proposed legislation working its way through the New Jersey State Legislature entitled “The People’s Bill,” which would give New Jersey renters a generous grace period to pay back rent owed when the eviction moratorium is lifted. (The bill has passed the Assembly but is currently stalled in the Senate.)
According to Parmigiani, the best way to sidestep the most common difficulties of renting a home or apartment is by establishing a cordial, constructive relationship with one’s landlord. Owners of rental properties want to avoid headaches, so renters who keep their landlords abreast of plans that affect their rental business establish trust and a willingness to work toward finding solutions that work for both parties.
Also key to a good rental experience for both renter and landlord, according to Parmigiani, is reading and knowing what’s in one’s lease from year to year and shopping for good rental insurance. Both of these actions can avert unnecessary expense and inconvenience.
See below for a list of NJ organizations that offer rental assistance.
Important Resource Links
NJ CITIZEN’S ACTION advocates for housing protection and relief by providing information and legal support for those facing eviction. Visit their site for issues related to housing protection during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Visit NJ Citizen Action.
Housing assistance programs in New Jersey are outlined on the NJ DEPT OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS site: Visit their site to learn more.
During the presentation, Cara gave us additional links to the following resources:
The Morris County Department of Human Services provides information on referral, emergency shelter, relocation assistance and temporary rental assistance
The Morris Sussex Resource Network – Provides a wide range of information about support, resources, and services for families in Morris and Sussex Counties, New Jersey.
Morris County Organization for Hispanic Affairs.- (Do not need to be Hispanic to use services)
Legal Services of Northwest New Jersey– Supports landlord-tenant issues.
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Cara’s website is http://www.caraparmigianilaw.com/