Camden County Landlord-Tenant Court: What Every Property Owner Needs to Know
Find Camden County Special Civil Part location, filing fees, and steps for landlord tenant cases, plus when selling as is may be your best exit.
If you own rental property in Camden County and need to resolve a dispute with a tenant, you file in the Special Civil Part of Superior Court. Landlord-tenant cases in New Jersey go through this court, and Camden County's location is the Camden County Hall of Justice at 101 South 5th Street, Camden, NJ 08103. You can reach the clerk's office by phone at 856-650-9100, ext. 43250. This page walks you through how the court works, what it costs, and what your options are when a tenancy problem makes you want out entirely. This is general information, not legal advice. An attorney can tell you what applies to your specific situation.
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- Confirm You Have the Right Grounds. New Jersey law lists specific grounds for eviction. A lease simply ending is not enough. Under the Anti-Eviction Act, a landlord cannot remove a tenant just because a lease term has expired. Review your reason for filing before you go to court. A New Jersey attorney can confirm whether your situation meets one of the recognized grounds. For non-payment cases, no notice is required before filing in most situations, but tenants in public or subsidized housing may need a 30-day notice first.
- Know Who Can Represent You. If you own the property through an LLC, corporation, or partnership, New Jersey law requires you to have a licensed NJ attorney represent you in landlord-tenant court. Sole proprietors and general partnerships may file and appear on their own. This matters before you show up on your first court date.
- Prepare Your Filing Documents. You will need a completed complaint form. For cases that do not involve non-payment of rent, include every notice you sent to the tenant or the Public Housing Authority, since those documents will be used at trial. Double-check that your paperwork is organized before you submit.
- Pay the Filing and Service Fees. The filing fee is $50 for one defendant, plus $5 for each additional defendant. There is also a $7 service fee for delivery of court papers by a Special Civil Part officer. Pay by check or money order made out to Treasurer, State of New Jersey, or use the JEDS electronic filing system to pay by credit card.
- Receive Your Trial Date. Once you file, the court sets a trial date and puts it on the summons. That date will be at least 21 days from the date the summons is served on the tenant. The tenant receives a summons and complaint explaining where to go, when to appear, and what the case is about.
- Attend the Trial. Both sides present their case to a judge. If you win, the court issues a Judgment for Possession (JFP). That document gives you the right to begin the next steps. If the tenant pays all overdue rent before or at trial in a non-payment case, the case may be resolved without a judgment. Consult your attorney on how to handle negotiations at court.
- Request a Warrant of Removal. A JFP does not mean your tenant is out tomorrow. After the court grants a Judgment for Possession, you must separately request a Warrant of Removal before any lockout can happen. This is a separate filing step, not automatic.
- The Warrant Is Served and Removal Is Scheduled. The Warrant of Removal is usually posted on the tenant's door, and physical removal by a court officer is then scheduled. That removal typically happens anywhere from 3 to 10 days after service. Remember: only Special Civil Part officers can legally enforce an eviction. Changing locks yourself, cutting utilities, or removing a tenant's belongings without a court officer is illegal.
- Handle Security Deposits at the Sale or Transfer. If you sell the property during or after this process, you must transfer any security deposits to the new owner at deed delivery or within 5 days, and notify tenants in writing by registered or certified mail. Under N.J.S.A. 46:8-20, the buyer becomes liable for deposits regardless of whether the transfer happened correctly. Get this step right. An attorney can confirm the exact procedure for your situation.
Your Landlord Obligations While the Case Is Pending
Court cases take time. While yours is moving forward, your obligations as a landlord do not pause. If you own a rental with more than two dwelling units (or more than three if you occupy one unit), and your tenants have a rental term of at least one month, you are required to give each tenant a copy of the Truth in Renting Statement within 30 days after the State posts a new version, and to every new tenant before or at lease signing. Violations can carry a fine of up to $100 per offense, enforced through the Special Civil Part in the county where your property sits. For properties with three or more units, you also need to register with the state DCA Bureau of Housing Inspection under N.J.S.A. 46:8-28. If you have a tenant with a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8), any transfer of the HAP contract to a new owner requires prior written consent from the housing authority. Our page on selling a Section 8 property in NJ covers that process in detail.
When Selling the Property Makes More Sense Than Continuing
Some landlords reach a point where the court process, the carrying costs, and the stress add up to more than the rental income is worth. If that describes where you are, selling the property directly to a cash buyer is worth considering. Our team buys properties across South Jersey, and we buy tenant-occupied properties as-is. You do not need to wait for a judgment, make repairs, or pay agent commissions. We give you a written cash offer within 24 hours, and you pick your closing date. If you need time to sort out your next move, we can work around that. That flexibility is real. There are no fees, ever, and we are BBB A+ rated. We have been buying homes in Camden County since 2018. Before you decide, read our honest breakdown of cash home buyers vs. using a realtor in NJ and our guide on inherited rentals with tenants if the property came to you through an estate. For a full picture of what selling costs in a traditional transaction, see our NJ seller closing costs guide. When you are ready to see a number, request your offer here.
Resources and Next Steps
If you are a tenant looking for help, free legal advice or representation is available to eligible low-income tenants facing eviction in New Jersey. The NJ Office of Eviction Prevention can be reached at (609) 376-0810 or evictionprevention@dca.nj.gov. For landlords with questions about the Camden County Special Civil Part, call 856-650-9100, ext. 43250 or visit the Hall of Justice at 101 South 5th Street. This page covers general process information only. For advice specific to your case, talk to a New Jersey attorney. If you own the property through an LLC or corporation, that attorney is required before you can appear in court anyway. For more on selling your property in Camden County, visit our Camden County home page.
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This page is for general informational purposes and is not professional, legal, or medical advice. Elite Home Buyers can advise on your specific situation, contact us for a consultation. Serving Sicklerville, NJ.
Born and raised in South Jersey; founded Elite Home Buyers in 2018. Reviews every offer and every guide the company publishes.