The Illegal Renting Epidemic in Jackson Township: A Call to Action

By Councilman Giuseppe Palmeri

June 2025

Jackson Township is facing a growing crisis that threatens the character, safety, and stability of our neighborhoods: illegal renting. What was once sporadic and limited has now become organized and widespread—an underground market of room-by-room rentals operating in clear violation of our township’s single-family zoning laws.

Just last week, a concerned resident brought to the Councils attention a list of more than 43 properties being advertised on social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook, with direct contact information, often posted entirely in Spanish. These ads are not listed on traditional real estate platforms. They are circulated through private Facebook groups and short-form content platforms that make enforcement and tracking extremely difficult.

These properties are commonly owned by LLCs and anonymous investors, shielding the actual landlords from accountability and making it harder for local officials to enforce the law. The goal is clear: pack as many rent-paying individuals as possible into single-family homes—ignoring occupancy rules, zoning restrictions, and basic safety standards.

We have forwarded this list to the Administration and Code Enforcement Department, which is actively investigating. But let’s be honest—this is only the tip of the iceberg. These illegal operations are spreading, and the trend is tied directly to larger policy failures at both the federal and state levels.

This issue cannot be viewed in isolation. We are witnessing the downstream effects of open-border policies under the Biden administration, which have led to historic levels of illegal immigration. At the same time, Governor Murphy’s decision to designate New Jersey as a sanctuary state has made our communities even more vulnerable to housing exploitation.

Instead of controlling immigration or ensuring newcomers are safely and legally integrated into communities, these policies are enabling an underground housing market where vulnerable individuals are packed into unsafe living conditions—and neighborhoods are left to deal with the consequences.

This is not about who’s coming—it’s about how it’s happening and who is exploiting the system for profit.

There has been a false narrative circulating that the Town Council is somehow handcuffing Code Enforcement or preventing meaningful action. Let’s be perfectly clear: nothing could be further from the truth.

The Council does not manage day-to-day operations of Code Enforcement. That responsibility falls under the Mayor and Business Administrator. The Council’s role is legislative—we pass ordinances, provide funding, and hold departments accountable.

In fact, the Township Council recently unanimously approved the appointment of Mr. Lavon Phillips as Jackson Township’s new Business Administrator. We are optimistic about working closely with Mr. Phillips to address the illegal rental crisis and other pressing issues with a renewed sense of urgency and accountability.

Jackson has one of the largest Code Enforcement departments in the region—even compared to municipalities larger than ours. The issue isn’t manpower. The issue is follow-through, urgency, and results.

We don’t need more officers—we need officers willing and able to get the job done. We need investigations completed in a timely manner, enforcement that doesn’t stall, and a department that treats this issue like the crisis it truly is.

Residents have a vital role to play. If you see a suspicious listing, or believe a home is being illegally rented—report it. Take screenshots. Save addresses. Share what you find.

Council members are committed to getting this information into the right hands—but we also follow up. We don’t sit on our hands and hope for the best. We push for answers. We push for action.

We are currently working to strengthen our ordinances, increase fines, and crack down on repeat offenders—especially those hiding behind corporate ownership to skirt the law.

Illegal renting is not just a zoning issue. It’s a public safety issue, a taxpayer fairness issue, and a quality-of-life issue for every family living next to a home being illegally converted into a boarding house.

We will not sit quietly while investors exploit our town for profit. We will not accept excuses. And we will not allow Jackson Township to be overrun by lawlessness under the guise of “housing access.”

We are here to preserve our neighborhoods, protect our residents, and hold every violator accountable—no matter how big, how hidden, or how well-connected.