Anyone in NJ with familiar with law on "rent withholding"?

[Johann Jells]

This tenant told me in mid December "I don't have it". I filed the papers and have a court date for 2/25. I just had my 1st contact with the tenant in 6 weeks, and he's claiming now he hasn't paid because of my "poor maintenance". I thought the door was closed on this kind of crap, that to "rent strike" you had to put it in escrow or they'd throw your argument out. Anyone know the law on this in NJ?