N.J. Stat. § 2A:42-87
A proceeding by a public officer, tenant, or tenants of a dwelling for a judgment directing the deposit of rents into court and their use for the purpose of remedying conditions in substantial violation of the standards of fitness for human habitation established under the State or local housing codes or regulations or a proceeding by a public officer, a tenant whose utility service has been diverted or a utility company for a judgment directing the deposit of rents into court and their use for correcting any wrongful diversion of utility service in a dwelling may be maintained in a court of competent jurisdiction. The place of trial of the proceeding shall be within the county in which the real property or a portion thereof from which the rents issue is situated. In cases involving real property located in municipalities in counties of the first class that have established full-time municipal housing courts, the proceedings may be brought in the municipal housing court of the municipality in which the property is located.
N.J.S. § 2A:42-87