Security deposit, gift card cash back, and final paycheck law for New Jersey — each rule with its statute citation and the date it was verified.
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Security deposit
Your landlord had 30 days to return your deposit or list the deductions in writing. If they were late or kept it wrongly, a court can make them pay twice what they wrongly kept, plus costs and fees.
Return deadline30 days
If the landlord is late or keeps it wronglyTwice the amount wrongfully withheld, plus court costs and attorney fees
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 46:8-21.1 · Verified 2026-10-21 · Read the statute
Shorter deadlines apply for tenants displaced by fire, flood, condemnation, or evacuation order.
Gift card cash back
After you use your gift card, if less than $5 is left, you can ask for that money in cash.
Cash backless than $5 remains after redemption
The ruleIf a stored value card that counts as a gift card or gift certificate is redeemed and a balance of less than $5 remains, at the owner request the merchant shall refund the balance in cash.
N.J. Stat. Ann. § 56:8-110(c) · Verified 2026-10-21 · Read the statute
Verified from statute text, § 56:8-110(c). A merchant who violates the paragraph faces a $500 penalty per violation plus restitution, assessed by the Division of Consumer Affairs.
Final paycheck
Your final pay is due on the next regular payday, whether you quit or were fired.
If firedNext regular payday
If you quitNext regular payday
Late-pay penaltyUnpaid wages plus liquidated damages of up to 200% of the amount owed for a knowing or first-time-willful violation, plus costs and attorney fees (§ 34:11-4.10)
N.J. Stat. Ann. §§ 34:11-4.3, 34:11-4.10 · Verified 2026-10-21 · Read the statute