Illegal rental units under investigation in P’burg. Tenant’s plight sparked probe.

The Town of Phillipsburg says it is investigating illegal rental units after a tenant was left homeless following a dispute with her landlord.

The case has revealed a single-family home on Grant Street that was illegally converted into a three-unit rental property.

Town inspection officials confirmed the illegal units in July. They said they discovered the violations after the tenant had already lived there for a year and a half. They would not release information about the property.

The tenant, who requested anonymity, said she paid $6,000 as an upfront deposit and $1,200 monthly rent for her unit.

The situation escalated after the tenant reported recurring plumbing issues to the landlords. On June 27, she was served with a temporary restraining order and told to vacate immediately.

“I just moved to this area and I don’t know anyone. I had no place to go. How can you expect someone to get up and move their whole life in an hour?” the tenant said.

Though she briefly returned to the apartment in July following a judge’s order, her residence was short-lived. After 12 days, she was served with another temporary restraining order on behalf of her landlord.

“It feels like retaliation for every time I stood up for myself,” she said. “At this point the police know me and even they feel for me.”

The displaced tenant is currently living in temporary accommodations in Alpha with her puppy.

Phillipsburg officials said they are aware of the situation and working with both parties to resolve the issue of the unregistered rental units.