McNeill v. Estate of Lachmann

The opinion of the court was delivered by

EICHEN, J.A.D.

At issue on this appeal is whether plaintiff Willa McNeill2, locked out of her room at the Alexander Hamilton Hotel in Paterson after failing to pay rent, is entitled to possession or damages under the Forcible Entry and Detainer Act, N.J.S.A. 2A:39-1 to -8. The trial judge dismissed the verified complaint after determining McNeill was not protected from lock-out by either the Anti-Eviction Act, N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1 to -61.12, or the Rooming and Boarding House Act of 1979, N.J.S.A. 55:13B-1 to -21. In so doing, the trial judge ruled that…