Condo/Co-op Employees Who Perform After Hours Services for Residents Must Register with the State of NJ

September 21st, 2019 | Community Association Law Blog

By Robert J. Buckalew, Esq.

Did you know that a co-op or condominium employee who, on his own time, moonlights as a handyman, making repairs, painting or hanging wallpaper, repairing or installing tiles, fixtures, cabinetry or appliances for residents is considered to be a home improvement contractor? The fact is that New Jersey considers these employees to be home improvement contractors when they are working on their own time, even though they may be doing essentially the same kind of work they do for the co-op or condo and even though, in their capacity as an employee they are exempt from the registration requirements of the Contractor’s Registration Act, N.J.S.A. 56:8-136, et seq.

These moonlighting employees are required by this law, however, to register with the Division of Consumer Affairs, Office of Consumer Protection, Regulated Business Section to legally be permitted to perform those moonlighting services.

Accordingly, before any co-op or condo permits its employees to perform any work for its residents after hours, on their own time and for their own benefit, common sense dictates that the employee be required to keep on file with the co-op or condo a copy of his current Home Improvement Contractor Registration and evidence of the insurance very home improvement contractor is required by the Act to carry.