10822 – Tenancy Summons and Return of Service – Appendix XI-B – New Jersey

The 10822 – Tenancy Summons and Return of Service (Appendix XI-B) form, revised effective July 14, 2020, by Order CN 10822, is a legal document used by the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, Special Civil Part, for landlord/tenant actions. This public document initiates a civil action to permanently remove a tenant and their belongings from the premises. The form emphasizes the importance of not including personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, or active financial account numbers. It also provides bilingual instructions (English and Spanish) to ensure comprehension by a broader audience.

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for completing this form for landlord/tenant actions in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, Special Civil Part.

Section 1: Plaintiff or Filing Attorney Information

• Name: Enter the full name of the plaintiff or the attorney filing the case.
• NJ Attorney ID Number: If applicable, enter the attorney’s New Jersey Attorney Identification Number.
• Address: Provide the mailing address of the plaintiff or the attorney.
• Email: Enter a valid email address for correspondence.
• Telephone Number: Provide a contact number for the plaintiff or the attorney.

Section 2: Case Information

• Docket Number: This will be provided by the court. Leave this field blank for the court to fill.
• Plaintiff(s): Enter the full name(s) of the plaintiff(s).
• Defendant(s): Enter the full name(s) of the defendant(s) (tenant(s)).

Section 3: Defendant Information

• Name: Enter the full name of the tenant(s).
• Address: Provide the current address of the tenant(s).
• Email: Enter the tenant’s email address, if known.
• Phone: Enter the tenant’s phone number, if known.
• Nonpayment/Other: Check the appropriate box indicating whether the issue is nonpayment of rent or another reason.
• Commercial/Residential: Check the appropriate box indicating whether the property is commercial or residential.

Section 4: Notice to Tenant

This section is for informational purposes and does not require any entries. It informs the tenant of the purpose of the complaint, legal assistance options, and housing assistance availability. It also provides instructions for tenants needing an interpreter or accommodations for disabilities.

Section 5: Court Officer’s Return of Service (For Court Use Only)

This section is completed by the court officer. It includes:

• Docket Number: Court officer will fill in.
• Date and Time: The court officer will enter the date and time of service.
• Physical Description: The court officer will describe the individual served (race, gender, height, weight, age, facial hair, glasses, etc.).
• Efforts Made to Personally Serve: The court officer will detail the attempts made to serve the summons personally.
• Description of Premises if Posted: If the summons is posted, the officer will describe the location.
• Certification: The court officer will certify that the information provided is true and accurate by signing the form.

Additional Information

• Do Not Enter Personal Identifiers: Ensure that personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, and active financial account numbers are not entered on the form.
• Legal and Housing Assistance: Contact details for legal services and housing assistance are provided for the tenant. Make sure these sections are visible and not covered by any entries.

By following these steps, you can accurately complete the Tenancy Summons and Return of Service form, ensuring all necessary information is provided for the court to process the landlord/tenant action.