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Eviction in Somerset County (Somerville), New Jersey

Where eviction cases are filed in Somerset County (Somerville), what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.

Quick facts: eviction in Somerset County (Somerville)

Eviction court
Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, Special Civil Part — Landlord/Tenant Section (Somerset Vicinage) — State trial court (Special Civil Part, Landlord/Tenant) Court page
Filing fee
$50 landlord/tenant complaint (one defendant) + $5 each additional defendant + $7 Special Civil Part officer service fee NJ Courts, Landlord/Tenant self-help page (statewide fees)
Notice before filing (state law)
No notice to quit is required before filing for nonpayment of rent. The written notice requirement of N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.2 expressly excludes nonpayment (and failure to pay a valid rent increase). The tenant can stop the case by paying the rent claimed plus accrued costs to the court clerk on or before entry of final judgment. After a warrant of removal is posted, or a lockout is carried out, for nonpayment, the tenant has 3 business days to pay all rent due. The landlord must accept that payment (cash, certified check, money order, or a rental-assistance program or charity) and the case is then dismissed. New Jersey rules
HUD Fair Market Rent, 2-bedroom (FY2026)
$2,486/month HUD
Renter households
33,615 (26% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024

Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-23

Where eviction cases are filed in Somerset County (Somerville)

Eviction cases in Somerset County (Somerville) are heard by the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, Special Civil Part — Landlord/Tenant Section (Somerset Vicinage) (State trial court (Special Civil Part, Landlord/Tenant)).

Court eviction page · E-filing · Search court records · Self-help center

Landlord/tenant cases are filed in the Special Civil Part of the county where the rental property is located; only Special Civil Part officers can carry out an eviction. Self-represented parties file through JEDS; attorneys must use eCourts Civil. Online case access requires registration with the NJ Courts.

How much it costs to file an eviction in Somerset County (Somerville)

$50 landlord/tenant complaint (one defendant) + $5 each additional defendant + $7 Special Civil Part officer service fee

Pay by check/money order to 'Treasurer, State of New Jersey', or by card through JEDS (the self-help page notes a 3% processing fee). Statewide fee — same in every county.

Source: NJ Courts, Landlord/Tenant self-help page (statewide fees)

How eviction cases work locally

Settlement conference on trial dateIf both parties appear on the trial date they may first meet with trained court staff to try to settle; a judge must approve settlements (especially where a residential tenant has no attorney). Unsettled cases go to the judge.
Source: Official source
Paying to dismiss a non-payment caseIn a non-payment case the tenant can pay the full rent and costs by 4:30 p.m. on the trial date to have the case dismissed.
Source: Official source

The New Jersey eviction process

New Jersey state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Somerset County (Somerville):

  1. Notice: none for nonpayment; a notice to cease and/or notice to quit for other good causes (3 days to 3 years depending on the ground) (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.2)
  2. File a verified complaint with the Special Civil Part in the county where the property is located; tenant is served with summons
  3. Trial; tenant may stop a nonpayment case by paying the rent claimed plus costs to the clerk on or before final judgment (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-55)
  4. Judgment for possession; no warrant of removal may issue until 3 days after judgment (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-57)
  5. Court officer serves the warrant, which may not be executed before the third day after service, excluding weekends and court holidays, and only between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. (N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.16). In nonpayment cases the tenant has 3 business days after the warrant is posted or the lockout to pay all rent due (2A:42-10.16a)
  6. Removal by a court officer only; court keeps jurisdiction for 10 days after execution for tenant applications. A hardship stay of up to 6 months after judgment is available if the tenant pays all arrears and keeps paying (N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.6)

Full New Jersey eviction rules with sources →

Rent in Somerset County (Somerville)

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Middlesex-Somerset-Hunterdon, NJ HUD Metro FMR Area (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):

Studio$1,804
1 bedroom$1,978
2 bedrooms$2,486
3 bedrooms$2,981
4 bedrooms$3,296

Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation

Median gross rent in Somerset County (Somerville): $2,033/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).

County tenant ordinance

No county-level landlord-tenant ordinance identified. Rent control and other local rules in New Jersey are adopted by municipalities, not counties (see city pages).

Eviction help in Somerset County (Somerville)

Free legal help

Rental assistance

Other New Jersey counties

Related

Frequently asked questions

Where do I file an eviction in Somerset County (Somerville)?
Eviction cases in Somerset County (Somerville) are filed with the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, Special Civil Part — Landlord/Tenant Section (Somerset Vicinage).
How much does it cost to file an eviction in Somerset County (Somerville)?
$50 landlord/tenant complaint (one defendant) + $5 each additional defendant + $7 Special Civil Part officer service fee.
Where can I get help with an eviction in Somerset County (Somerville)?
Legal Services of New Jersey — LSNJLAW Hotline; NJ DCA Office of Eviction Prevention (Eviction Guide / Get Help).
What is the fair market rent in Somerset County (Somerville)?
HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit is $2,486 per month (1-bedroom: $1,978).

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.