Mr. and Mrs. _____________,


I’m sorry that you are having contractor performance issues. The Sandy Recovery Division has a policy that addresses performance issues such as criminal fraud for the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation (RREM) program, the Low-to-Moderate (LMI) Homeowners Rebuilding Program, and the Landlord Rental Repair program (LRRP).

To start the process, applicants must provide to Constituent Services the following:

o A copy of the police complaint filed with your local police department, county or municipality to determine if fraud has occurred. Please provide the prosecutors and /or the detective’s name and phone number.
o A copy of the complaint filed with Consumer Affairs. The agency can be reached at: 973-504-6200. Complaint forms are also available on-line njcomsumeraffairs.gov/pages/File-a-Complaint.aspx.
o Copies of invoices and checks documenting your complaint with the contractor. Be sure to redact all personal information.

Once you have been notified that a charging document has been filed; such as a criminal complaint, arrest warrant or indictment, please notify Constituent Services. The Sandy Recovery Division will evaluate the charging document to determine if you are eligible for additional grant funds.

You can either stop or continue construction. If you continue your construction project with a new contractor, please fill out a Contractor Validation Form and submit it to your Project Manager. The program requires that all contractors; must be registered as a business in New Jersey, have a current valid NJ Home Improvement License (Rehabilitation), or a New Home Builder Registration (reconstruction), and not be debarred by the federal government or state. If you complete construction before charging documents have been filed, and before your unmet need can be re-evaluated, then you are not eligible for additional grant funds as per the fraud policy. If a prosecutor’s office does not pursue criminal charges, then you can pursue civil action against the contractor on your own.

Your Housing/Landlord Advisor and Project Manager are available to answer any specific questions regarding your project. For information regarding fraud, please contact Constituent Services.


Warm Rregards,