We need help with eviction

[Joe W.]

My wife and I began renting a one-family house in New Jersey in February 1986 and have paid rent every month without fail and have maintained our tenancy as model tenants without incident.

We had a one-year lease for the first year only after which time we never renewed and as such have been month-to-month tenants for over 24 years.

Now our landlord wishes to sell the house and evict us, and it's causing stress and anxiety every day.

I am here for information to learn if our landlord:

1) must by law sell it to someone who will continue to rent to us; or

2) will be able to force us out; or

3) if this is a case that could go either way.

New Jersey law states that one cause for an eviction action is when "the owner of a house or building with three or fewer apartments wants to move in or is selling the house or building to a buyer who wants to move in."

Would this then be automatic or does a judge have the authority to restrict a new owner from moving in, this based on certain facts presented at the trial, e.g. prospective owner already owns and lives in a house but wants to move here to be closer to relatives.

Landlord bought the house in 1985, renovated it, and immediately placed it in use as a rental home. We have been the only tenants.

Landlord took two (2) months security deposit when state law permits only 1 1/2 months. Moreover, we have good reason to believe that he has not left that deposit intact so therefore we would seek discovery to ascertain if that occurred.

My wife is now a senior citizen.

Please help us.