How did questions about easements and the rights of union organizers to solicit prospective members end up before the Supreme Court? And at what point does an easement imposed by the government rise to the level of a taking? These are just some of the questions the United States Supreme Court will grapple with this coming week in the case of Cedar Point Nursery and Fowler Packing Company v. » Read More
One obvious reason for filing real estate property tax appeals is to obtain a lower assessment on your real property and thereby save significant tax dollars. Another important reason to lower your assessment and taxes is to help maintain the value of the property by making it more marketable to potential buyers. » Read More
I recently outlined the steps the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends building owners take when preparing their buildings to be re-occupied after the lifting of the COVID-19 pandemic-related government shutdowns (see: “Building Owners Must Have a Plan”). Because OSHA obligates employers to “furnish to each of [their] employees …a place of employment [that is] free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to [their] employees,” employers occupying those buildings too must have a safe workplace plan in place. » Read More
Now that office workers are slowly beginning to return to the office – or anticipate doing so in the near future – it is critical for building owners with tenants to have in place a plan to protect the health and safety of workers and employees occupying the building. » Read More
One of the questions frequently asked when the lockdown began over two months ago was from small business owners who wanted to know whether they had the right to suspend their rent payments. In response, the New Jersey Legislature introduced a bill on April 9, 2020, that would authorize Governor Murphy to permit emergency rent suspensions for a small business tenant economically distressed as a result of the pandemic. » Read More
On April 2, 2020, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Division of Local Government Services (DLGS) issued guidance to municipal planning and zoning boards to ensure continuity of land use application procedures and due process while simultaneously adhering to the COVID-19 social distancing and health measures. » Read More
With the COVID-19 crisis upon us and New Jersey businesses shuttered, many commercial tenants suddenly find themselves deprived of the ability to pay their rent. By order of Governor Murphy, there is a moratorium on residential evictions and foreclosures in New Jersey. » Read More
Property owners often believe that their property is worth an amount equal to the assessment on the property. This misconception leads owners to overlook the different ratios of assessed value to true value applicable in each of the assessing districts of New Jersey and the fact that these ratios generally decline each year. » Read More
