N.J. Admin. Code § 5:26-8.14

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 24, December 18, 2024

Section 5:26-8.14 - Complaints and penalties

(a) Any unit owner may file a complaint with the Department concerning any matter subject to the rules at N.J.A.C. 5:26-8.8 through 8.13.

1. Such complaint shall be in writing and shall be on a form approved by the Department for this purpose. It may be submitted electronically through the Bureau's website, mailed to the address below, or submitted by fax. Physical copies of the required complaint form may be downloaded at (website to be added upon adoption) or requested through the Department at:

Association Regulation Unit

101 South Broad Street

Post Office Box 805

Trenton, New Jersey 08625

Telephone: 609-984-7574

Fax: 609-292-2839

2. The complaint shall include a clear, factual statement of the issue and shall include any applicable documentation to support such statement. The Department shall not conduct a review until the complaint is complete.

3. The complaint must be submitted at least ten business days prior to any scheduled upcoming election in order for the Department to issue any relief as to that election. Upon receipt of the complaint, the Department shall complete a review of the complaint and make a determination of the appropriate action as set forth in (e) below.

(b) The Department shall review and evaluate the complaint to ensure compliance with this subchapter. The Department may be in contact with the association and unit owners for clarification of any matter disclosed in the complaint.

1. Upon receipt of the complaint, the Department shall make a determination as to whether relief may be enacted for the immediate upcoming election or will apply to prospective elections. The Department shall so inform the complainant.

2. Upon completion of the review, the Department shall provide a report to the complainant as to the actions taken in regard to the complaint.

(c) Nothing in this section shall prevent the Department from instituting an investigation on its own initiative.

(d) Unit owners who believe that the association is acting contrary to this chapter or any applicable law, may petition a court of competent jurisdiction for relief at any time without filing a complaint with the Department.

1. When a complaint is filed in a court of competent jurisdiction, the Department shall be provided with a filed copy and then the Department shall hold its action in abeyance pending the court decision.

(e) The Department may levy and collect fines and may issue penalties as set forth in N.J.A.C. 5:26-11.

1. For associations that are controlled by unit owners, the Department may issue cease and desist orders, may issue a monetary penalty, may transmit the case to the Office of Administrative Law, or may file an action in the Superior Court.

2. In addition to the penalties listed above, for associations that are controlled by the developer, the Department may issue a revocation of registration.

N.J. Admin. Code § 5:26-8.14

Adopted by 52 N.J.R. 1057(a), effective 5/18/2020