The mercer county landlord tenant court is the part of New Jersey’s Superior Court that hears eviction cases for renters in Mercer County. If you got an eviction summons, the one deadline you cannot miss is your court date, because the mercer county landlord tenant court can enter a judgment against you if you do not show up.
Mercer County Landlord Tenant Court: Location, Hours, and Case Lookup
Eviction cases in New Jersey are not heard in a separate “housing court.” Instead, the mercer county landlord tenant court is part of the Superior Court of New Jersey, Special Civil Part, Mercer County. The New Jersey Courts directory lists its mailing address and phone number. That directory is the official source, so check it if anything here looks out of date.
Your summons is your most important paper. It has your docket number, which is the ID number for your case. For example, when you call the mercer county landlord tenant court, give that docket number first. As a result, staff can find your file faster and confirm your trial date.
Our source does not list office hours. Therefore, call ahead to confirm the hours before you travel to the courthouse.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Court | Superior Court of New Jersey, Special Civil Part, Mercer County (landlord-tenant cases) |
| Mailing address | Mercer County Civil Courthouse, PO Box 8068, Trenton, NJ 08650-0068 |
| Phone | 609-571-4200 ext. 76019 |
| Hours | Not listed in the official directory. Confirm by phone at the number above. |
| Case lookup | Call the office with the docket number from your summons. |
| Forms and guides | NJ Courts Landlord/Tenant Self-Help |
| Official directory | NJ Courts Special Civil Part Offices Directory |
Your Deadlines After You Are Served
In most cases, New Jersey tenants do not need to file a formal written answer to stay in the case. However, you do need to show up on your trial date. The date is printed on your summons. If it is unclear, call the mercer county landlord tenant court right away.
The New Jersey Courts ask tenants to fill out a Tenant Case Information Statement, called a TCIS. It explains your side of the case. You should send it to the court by email or regular mail as soon as you can after you get the complaint. Otherwise, you will need to bring it to your trial.
“Default” means you lose because you did not show up. If you miss your date, the mercer county landlord tenant court can enter a judgment for possession. That judgment lets the landlord move toward a warrant of removal, which is the paper that allows a lockout by a court officer.
What Happens on Your Court Date at Mercer County Landlord Tenant Court
Arrive early and bring your summons. Check in with court staff when you get there. Bring rent receipts, bank records, texts, repair requests, and photos. Typically, bring copies, because the judge may want one.
Before any trial, the mercer county landlord tenant court will usually ask you and your landlord to try to settle. Trained, neutral court staff help both sides talk. For example, you may agree on a payment plan or a move-out date. However, read every word before you sign. A settlement is a court order, and breaking it can lead to a quick lockout.
If you do not settle, you have the right to a trial before a judge. The judge hears both sides and decides. If you lose, you may be able to ask for more time. The NJ Courts self-help page has forms for a hardship stay and an order to show cause. Deadlines for an appeal are strict, so confirm the exact time limit with the mercer county landlord tenant court or a lawyer right away.
Free Help in This Courthouse
You do not have to face this alone. The NJ Courts landlord/tenant self-help page has free guides and forms for tenants without a lawyer. In addition, staff at the mercer county landlord tenant court can explain court steps. However, court staff cannot give you legal advice about your case.
For legal advice, call your local legal-aid office or a tenant attorney. Many tenants in New Jersey can get free help if their income qualifies. Call as soon as you are served, not the night before court. As a result, a lawyer has time to review your lease, notices, and defenses.
If you need an interpreter or a disability accommodation, ask for one early. Call the mercer county landlord tenant court at 609-571-4200 ext. 76019 and explain what you need. Also, remember this: your landlord cannot change the locks, shut off your utilities, or take your things to force you out. Only a court officer can remove you, and only with a warrant.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the mercer county landlord tenant court?
It is the Special Civil Part at the Mercer County Civil Courthouse. The official mailing address is PO Box 8068, Trenton, NJ 08650-0068. Call 609-571-4200 ext. 76019 to confirm where to go on your date.
How do I look up my eviction case?
Find the docket number on your summons. Then call the mercer county landlord tenant court and give that number. Staff can confirm your trial date and case status.
Can my landlord lock me out right after the trial?
No. A judgment alone does not allow a lockout. NJ Courts say a warrant of removal cannot issue less than 3 business days after judgment, and you then get 3 business days after it is served. Check with a local legal-aid office right away if you get a warrant.
Protect your stuff while you sort this out
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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.