The Jackson Township Council has officially passed a new ordinance that will require landlords to register their rental properties every year and have them inspected regularly to make sure they’re safe to live in.
Starting January 1, 2026, any landlord who owns a home or apartment that they rent out (unless it’s already inspected by the state) must register each unit with the township and pay an annual fee of $225. For the rest of 2025, the fee will be $125.
The ordinance also says that every rental unit must be inspected at least once a year—and again whenever a new tenant moves in. No tenant can move in unless the township has inspected the unit and issued a certificate of occupancy.
To register, landlords will need to give the township detailed information, such as:
- Their name, phone number, and email
- The names of any business partners
- Who’s living in the unit and how many people
- Floor plans of the rental unit
- Copies of the lease and ownership papers
- Whether the tenant was screened before moving in
Landlords also have to give their tenants a copy of the rental license and certificate once it’s approved.
If anything changes—like a new property manager or a change in ownership—landlords must update their registration within 20 days.
If a landlord doesn’t follow the rules, they could face fines:
- $500 for a first offense
- $750 for a second offense
- $1,000 for any more after that
If the township can’t inspect the property because the landlord or tenant blocks access, the landlord could also be fined $250 per day until the inspection is done.
The ordinance applies to nearly all rental homes in the township.
All townships in Lakewood and surrounding areas should follow suit. Once we t to look at a home in Manchester, and every bedroom had a other family living there with a out 10 cars, pickup trucks parked on grass/ dirt road In front of house
Good Idea!!!