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 Woodbridge Township Mayor John E. McCormac today a nnounced that continued review of property records and inspections targeting illegal, overcrowded, and potentially dangerous housing throughout Woodbridge Township have identified more than 50 residential and/or business properties as potentially in violation of Township housing ordinances. As a result of the review of tax and zoning records, along with field inspections, property owners have been notified to register the property as a rental or multi-family unit and to submit to
on-site inspection.

“Several weeks ago, I announced that housing inspectors are working to identify potentially illegal and overcrowded housing throughout the Township. As a result of the stepped-up inspections and review of zoning and tax records, the Housing Bureau has identified more than 50 residential dwellings throughout the Township that may be in violation of Township ordinances,” Mayor McCormac said. “Clearly, overcrowded housing and illegal apartments pose a real danger to the public health and safety and impacts the quality of life for residents in all communities.”

In announcing the ongoing housing and inspection program, Mayor McCormac noted that certified letters have been forwarded to property owners in Woodbridge, Port Reading, Fords, Iselin, Avenel, Keasbey, Colonia, and Hopelawn. The letter advises the property owner that the Tenant Protection Housing & Overcrowding Elimination Ordinance requires the registration and inspection of single and multiple-family dwellings or rental units. The ordinance requires that property owners register rental or multi-use unit(s) each January.

As part of the first phase targeting potential illegal rental properties, Housing Bureau inspector’s uncovered residential properties with multiple entrances and construction consistent with multiple use. Additionally, inspectors located residential properties that were potentially being used as business or commercial establishments. As a result of the visual inspections, the Housing Bureau issued the informational letter and provided property owners with the registration form and instructions on compliance.

Mayor McCormac noted that should property owners fail to comply with the registration requirements, additional on-site inspections would determine if the residential or business property is in compliance. Should it be determined that the property is an unregistered rental unit or illegal business operating in a residential area, the property owner could be charged with maintaining an illegal apartment, multi-family dwelling, and/or boarding or rooming house, as well as failure to obtain required permits, certificates of occupancy, and violations of general property maintenance.

A Notice of Violation requires the property owner to provide a remediation plan to correct the alleged illegal condition, obtain any and all relevant permits, and bring the property into compliance with all Township ordinances and housing regulations. Should the property owner fail to comply with a Notice of Violation, the Bureau of Housing could issue a summons and refer the case to Municipal Court, wherein potential financial penalties of up to $2,500 per violation could be assessed. Additionally, Township ordinance requires the property owner to provide for the costs and expenses necessary to relocate any tenants that are illegally housed in the property.

Mayor McCormac said that illegal housing remains a significant issue throughout the Township and that inspectors will give priority to complaints reporting illegal housing, overcrowding, and unsafe conditions. Additionally, the Mayor has redirected resources to beef-up housing inspections, including hiring an additional inspector, providing updated portable computers with direct access to municipal records to housing inspectors and staggering hours of inspection.

Township residents are encouraged to report potential illegal housing and other housing-related activities to the Bureau of Housing at 732-634-4500 x6009. All complaints will be investigated and all information will remain confidential.

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