The law in plain English
Return deadline
Under N.J. Stat. Sections 46:8-19 to 46:8-26, the deposit response usually has to be sent within 30 days of the move-out timeline described by the state rule.
Required notice
New Jersey generally requires the deposit, accrued interest, and any itemized deductions within 30 days after move-out, with a faster 5-business-day rule in fire, flood, or condemnation cases.
This dispute type
Once the New Jersey deadline passes, the dispute stops being only about the deductions and becomes a deadline-compliance problem too. A landlord may still argue damage existed, but N.J. Stat. §§ 46:8-19 to 46:8-26 sets the clock for returning the balance and explaining any amount withheld.
Penalty leverage
If the withholding was wrongful or in bad faith, the exposure allowed under the statute is: You can recover double the amount due (mandatory), plus court costs and reasonable attorney's fees