MAYOR RAS J. BARAKA SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER ESTABLISHING ANNUAL LIST OF WORST NON-COMPLIANT LANDLORDS

Posting list of repeat violators will protect tenants and strengthen landlord accountability

Newark, NJ – February 19, 2026 — Mayor Ras J. Baraka today signed an executive order establishing an annual list of the city’s worst non-compliant landlords.

The purpose of the list is to protect tenants by identifying and publicizing property owners who have demonstrated a repeated pattern of non-compliance with City housing, safety, registration, and inspection requirements – conduct that places residents at risk and discomfort, and burdens City resources.

For purposes of the executive order, non-compliance is defined as a repeated pattern of failing to comply with City laws designed to protect residents, including housing and habitability requirements, health and fire safety regulations, Uniform Construction Code requirements, rental property registration and renewal requirements, refusal to allow inspections, and failure to correct violations after notice. It also includes failure to follow required City processes that enable enforcement and oversight to occur.

“Despite a full arsenal of building regulations and codes, Newark residents, as well as city administrators and enforcers, have long been at the mercy of irresponsible landlords who are quick to collect the rent but slow to correct unsafe and unlivable conditions in their buildings,” said Mayor Baraka. “This executive order puts more teeth in our laws to keep landlords in line and responsive to their tenants’ needs.”

Conditions for landing on the list include mismanagement that results in three violations within 12 months for a single address, or five violations within 12 months for landlords with multiple properties. Once on the list, a full year must pass before the status can be reevaluated.  Ownership transfers will be tracked to prevent avoidance of accountability by sleight of paperwork.

As always, the City encourages tenants to report all unsatisfactory living conditions to the Division of Code Enforcement by calling 973-733-3813.

For a copy of the Executive Order, click here.

For photos, click here.

-NEWARK-

For more information on the City of Newark, please visit our website www.newarknj.gov

Follow us on X and on Instagram