The monmouth county landlord tenant court is where eviction cases against renters in Monmouth County, New Jersey are heard. If you got court papers, the one deadline you must not miss is your court date. In most cases, not showing up at the monmouth county landlord tenant court lets the landlord win automatically.
Monmouth County Landlord Tenant Court: Location, Hours, and Case Lookup
The monmouth county landlord tenant court is not a separate building. It is a part of the Special Civil Part office inside the county courthouse in Freehold. Your summons should list the exact date, time and room for your case. Read it slowly, and keep it somewhere safe.
Office hours can change. As a result, call before you go to confirm when the monmouth county landlord tenant court clerk is open. The official NJ Courts directory of Special Civil Part offices lists the current contact details. For forms and plain-English guides, use the NJ Courts landlord-tenant self-help page.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Court | Superior Court of New Jersey, Special Civil Part, Monmouth County (landlord-tenant cases) |
| Address | Monmouth County Courthouse, 71 Monument Street, Freehold, NJ 07728 |
| Phone | 732-358-8700 ext. 87590 |
| Hours | Not confirmed here. Call the number above before you go. |
| Case lookup | Call the clerk with your docket number, or check the NJ Courts self-help page for online options |
| Forms and guides | NJ Courts landlord-tenant self-help page (njcourts.gov) |
Your Deadlines After You Are Served
In New Jersey, an eviction case starts when the landlord files a complaint. You then get a summons with a trial date. Typically, the most important deadline is that date. The monmouth county landlord tenant court expects you to be there, on time, with your papers.
If you miss it, the judge can enter a “default.” A default means the landlord wins without you telling your side. For example, you lose the chance to raise repair problems or payment disputes. If you missed your date, call the monmouth county landlord tenant court clerk right away. Ask how to try to undo the default.
Also, a landlord cannot legally lock you out on their own. In New Jersey, only a court officer can carry out a removal, and only after the court allows it. However, the timing is tight, so act quickly.
What Happens on Your Court Date at Monmouth County Landlord Tenant Court
Arrive early and allow time for courthouse security. Then check in where your summons tells you to go. In most cases, you will be told to wait until your case is called. Bring copies of your lease, receipts, repair requests, photos and texts.
Many New Jersey landlord-tenant courts ask both sides to try to settle first. Ask the staff at the monmouth county landlord tenant court whether a settlement conference is offered that day. Read any agreement carefully before you sign. Do not agree to pay money you don’t have. Also check that the move-out date is one you can actually meet.
If there is no deal, a judge hears the case. If the landlord wins, you may still have options, such as asking for more time or appealing. However, these steps have strict deadlines. Ask the monmouth county landlord tenant court clerk or a lawyer about them that same day.
Free Help in This Courthouse
You do not have to face this alone. The NJ Courts landlord-tenant self-help page explains the process and lists forms. Typically, the courthouse also has an ombudsman or help desk for people without lawyers. Call ahead to ask what help the monmouth county landlord tenant court offers on your date.
For legal advice, contact a local legal-aid office as soon as you get papers. Free lawyers are often busy, so waiting a week can matter. As a result, call the same day if you can. If you need an interpreter, tell the monmouth county landlord tenant court clerk before your date. Courts can typically arrange one at no cost to you. If you need a disability accommodation, ask for that ahead of time too.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find my case number?
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Look at the top of your summons or complaint for the docket number. If you lost it, call the monmouth county landlord tenant court at 732-358-8700 ext. 87590. Have your full name and address ready.
Can my landlord change the locks without going to court?
No. In New Jersey, a landlord cannot remove you on their own. Only a court officer can do it, after a court order. If you are locked out, call the police and a legal-aid office right away.
What if I can’t make my court date?
Call the monmouth county landlord tenant court before the date and explain why. A postponement is not guaranteed, so do not assume you have one. Get any new date in writing, and contact legal aid for help.
Protect your stuff while you sort this out
A landlord’s insurance does not cover your belongings — renters insurance does, often for a few dollars a month. Compare options before your next move.
Find Your State’s Exact Rules
Notice periods, deposit caps, and the eviction timeline all change from state to state. Pick your state to see the exact days, dollar limits, and steps that apply where you live.
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Sources & How to Verify
The rules on this page are drawn from official government and legal-aid sources. Tenant law changes, so always confirm the exact rule with your state’s statute or a local legal-aid office.
- HUD: hud.gov — federal renter protections and fair housing
- Legal Services Corporation: lsc.gov — find free legal aid in your state
- Cornell Legal Information Institute: law.cornell.edu/wex — plain-English legal definitions
- Your state statute & court self-help portal: search “[your state] landlord tenant act” and “[your state] court self-help eviction” for the exact law and forms
Content last reviewed September 2026. If you notice outdated information, please contact us.
New Jersey Renter Guides
- New Jersey Eviction Process
- New Jersey Tenant Rights
- New Jersey Security Deposit Law
- New Jersey Rent Increase Laws
- New Jersey Repairs and Habitability
- Breaking a Lease in New Jersey
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Informational only — not legal advice. Tenant Rights Info is an independent educational resource, not a law firm, and this page does not provide legal advice. Landlord-tenant law varies by state and city and changes over time, so always verify the exact rule with your state’s statute, your local court’s self-help portal, or a legal-aid office. For urgent situations like an active eviction, contact a local legal-aid office or a licensed tenant attorney in your state right away.