Rule 4:73-1.Complaint

Last amended January 2, 1986 · Current through June 18, 2026 · Last verified July 7, 2026

In one sentenceRule 4:73-1 requires a condemnation complaint, brought as a summary action, to state the compensation offered and reasonably disclose how it was calculated -- including the property description, fair market value method, and comparable sales or leases relied on.

Full Text of Rule 4:73-1

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An action in condemnation shall be brought in the Superior Court in a summary manner pursuant to R. 4:67. The complaint shall include a statement showing the amount of compensation offered by the condemnor and a reasonable disclosure of the manner in which the amount has been calculated. Unless the court for good cause orders otherwise, reasonable disclosure by the condemnor shall include furnishing the condemnee with the map and a description of land to be acquired and identity of improvements to be acquired, if any; a statement of the full fair market value including a description of the appraisal valuation method or methods relied upon as well as a breakdown of the appraised value allocated to the land to be acquired, and improvements to be acquired, if any; and data concerning comparable sales or leases relied upon in determining the amount of compensation offered which shall include names of seller and purchaser or landlord and tenant, location of property by block, lot, street, street number, and municipality, date of sale or date and duration of lease, the consideration for the sale or amount of rent, and book and page number of the recording of the deed; and any unusual factors known to the condemnor which may affect value.

End

Amendment History

New Jersey publishes each rule’s amendment record in a “History” note beneath the rule. It is reproduced verbatim below; the “R.R.” citations refer to the former Revised Rules numbering the current rules replaced.

Source-R.R. 4:92-1. Amended July 14, 1972 to be effective September 5, 1972; amended November 1, 1985 to be effective January 2, 1986.

Plain-English Summary

A condemnation case starts as a summary action, and the complaint has to do more than announce a taking. It states the compensation offered and, absent good cause to withhold it, reasonably discloses how that number was reached: a map and description of the land and any improvements being acquired, the fair market value and the appraisal method behind it, a breakdown between land and improvements, and the comparable sales or leases the condemnor relied on — names, location, date, price or rent, and recording details.

The condemnor also has to flag any unusual factor it knows about that could affect the property's value.

Frequently Asked Questions

What must a condemnation complaint disclose about the compensation offered?

A statement of the amount offered and a reasonable disclosure of how it was calculated, including the appraisal method and comparable sales or leases relied on.

Is a condemnation action tried as a summary action?

Yes, it is brought in the Superior Court in a summary manner.

Source & verification. The rule text and amendment history are reproduced verbatim from the official New Jersey Rules of Court (N.J. Ct. R. 4:73-1). Prescribed by the Supreme Court of New Jersey (N.J. Const. art. VI, § 2, ¶ 3). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 7, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: condemnation complainteminent domain complaint