FAQs • Howell Township, NJ • CivicEngage

What do I do if I receive a summons?: Once a summons is issued, the matter will likely be resolved in court. A court appearance may be required. A court date is assigned at the time of the summons’ issuance and can be found at the bottom of the summons. If you cannot make the court date please call the court at the number located at the back of the summons to reschedule.

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Code Enforcement / Housing

1. How do I file complaint?: Complaints can be filed online by following this link. Complaints may also be filed in person at Township offices or phoned in. Please call 732-938-4500 ext. 2335.

2. Are complaints anonymous?: Per State law, all complaints remain anonymous. Code enforcement will not reveal the complainant’s information even if we know who filed the complaint.

A notice of violation is a letter issued to the property owner explaining a perceived violation of Township ordinance(s). This letter’s intent is to inform the owner of the violation(s) and outlines the steps that need to be taken to abate the violation and the timeline in which it needs to be abated by. The property owner or recipient of this letter may contact the issuing inspector to discuss abatement or any other concerns. You should not disregard this letter if you feel it was issued in error.
A summons is a legal document notifying you of your required appearance in a court of law. A summons is issued once an inspector reinspects a property and notes that the violation(s) have not been abated. A court date is assigned at the bottom of the summons. If found guilty in court, a fine may be assessed and the recipient of the summons must still abate the violations. Township fines range from $100 - $2000 per day that a violation exists and is not abated depending on the violation.

4. What do I do if I receive a violation notice?: The notice will explain the violation and what needs to be done to correct the violation along with a time frame to do it in. If you are still unsure what to do or feel that it was issued in error, the inspector’s information is at the end of the letter. Please contact the inspector directly.

5. What do I do if I receive a summons?: Once a summons is issued, the matter will likely be resolved in court. A court appearance may be required. A court date is assigned at the time of the summons’ issuance and can be found at the bottom of the summons. If you cannot make the court date please call the court at the number located at the back of the summons to reschedule.

6. I want to rent out a home I own. What do I need to do?: The township requires two applications, a Landlord Registration and a Rental Certificate Application. Each requires a fee of $100. Applications may be submitted in person, by mail, or online. Applications may be found here. If the home has either a well or septic or both, prior approval from the Monmouth County Board of Health is required prior to Code Enforcement scheduling an inspection. The Board of Health number is 732-431-7456.

7. How often do I need to file these applications?: The Landlord Registration is required to be filed yearly and is not pro-rated. The license expires December 31st every year. Landlords must renew the registration by January 31^st each year. Rental Certificates must be applied for prior to a new tenant moving in. This certificate is valid only for the tenant it is issued for.

8. What does an inspector look for during a rental inspection?: The inspector checks for compliance with the New Jersey State Housing Code as adopted by ordinance. A checklist is provided here. This checklist is not meant to be all encompassing but will provide a good idea to what the inspector is looking for.