A bill sponsored by Assemblyman Alex Sauickie aimed at increasing transparency for single-family homes owned by limited liability companies (LLCs) has advanced in the New Jersey Assembly. The proposed legislation would require LLCs that own residential rental properties to disclose their registered agent when recording a deed, making it easier for municipalities to identify and hold property owners accountable.
Sauickie explained that the bill seeks to address challenges faced by local governments across New Jersey as more single-family homes are purchased by LLCs. “This bill addresses a statewide issue impacting municipalities in every corner of New Jersey,” Sauickie said. “Local governments are increasingly dealing with LLC-owned single-family homes where ownership is hidden, laws are ignored, and residents and taxpayers pay the price.”
The number of single-family homes owned by LLCs in New Jersey has grown significantly over the past 25 years, rising from less than 10% to more than 25% of all such properties. Municipalities report difficulty enforcing local regulations due to challenges identifying actual property owners.
Concerns have also been raised about some LLCs illegally converting single-family residences into multi-family rentals. In some cases, one home may be rented to as many as four families at once. According to Sauickie, “These overcrowded and illegal living arrangements pose serious fire and life-safety risks, not only to occupants but also to surrounding neighborhoods. Compounding the problem, multiple families residing in a single home often means multiple children attending local public schools, while the property taxes paid reflect the cost of educating only one household. This imbalance unfairly strains local school districts and shifts the burden onto law-abiding taxpayers.”
Sauickie clarified that his proposal does not impose new housing requirements but aims to help enforce existing laws more effectively. “This bill is about fairness, safety, and accountability. If you own property in our communities, you should be held to the same standards as every other property owner,” he said.
Assemblyman John DiMaio represents District 23—including Hackettstown—and has served in several leadership roles within the General Assembly since joining in 2009. He was previously mayor of Hackettstown from 1991 to 1999 and served on the Warren County Board of Freeholders between 2000 and 2009 according to his official legislative roster: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-roster/313/assemblyman-dimaio.
DiMaio became Minority Leader starting in 2022 after holding positions such as Appropriations Officer (2012-2017) and Budget Officer (2018-2019). His career includes extensive experience as a legislator: https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislative-roster/313/assemblyman-dimaio.
