Rent Control in Lakewood Township, NJ

Last updated: January 2026

A practical guide to understanding who is covered, key exemptions, and how to check your building's status.

Want to skip straight to checking your own building? Use the RentCheckMe address checker.

1. Overview of Rent Control in Lakewood Township

Lakewood Township, located in Ocean County, New Jersey, has a local rent control ordinance that provides rent stabilization and tenant protection for many residential rental units. The ordinance is administered by the Lakewood Township Rent Control Board.

This article is a high‑level guide based on public resources and the municipality's rent control ordinance. It is not legal advice. For specific questions about your situation, consult with a qualified attorney or contact the local rent control office.

2. Who Is Covered by Rent Control in Lakewood Township?

The rent control ordinance in Lakewood Township applies to specific types of properties based on the number of units and other criteria:

• Minimum units requirement: The ordinance applies to buildings with 4 or more units.

3. Rent Increase Limits

The rent control ordinance in Lakewood Township limits annual rent increases to 6.5%. 6.5% if landlord pays for heat 5% if tenant pays for heat Optional 2 year rental increase: 9.75% if landlord pays for heat 7.5% if tenant pays for heat

4. Exemptions and Exceptions

The following properties or situations may be exempt from rent control in Lakewood Township:

• Exceptions(s) - Motels, hotels, boarding houses, public housing, newly constructed first-time rental (after 6/25/87, for 7 years), first-time rental existing units (7 years), school dorms, owner-occupied buildings with 4 units or less, non-profit corporate-owned, government subsidized units, rehabilitated units that add 50% in value

5. How to Check Your Building's Status

To determine if your building is covered by rent control in Lakewood Township, you can:

• Use RentCheckMe: Enter your address in the RentCheckMe address checker to see if your building is likely covered by rent control.
• Contact the Rent Control Board: Reach out to the Lakewood Township Rent Control Board for information about your specific building.
• Call for assistance: (732) 364-2500

6. Additional Resources

• Rent Control Ordinance: View the full text of the ordinance
• Rent Control Board Website: https://www.lakewoodnj.gov/section/departments
• New Jersey Department of Community Affairs: https://www.nj.gov/dca/

Frequently Asked Questions

Note: This article provides general information about rent control in Lakewood Township. Rent control laws can be complex and may change over time. For specific questions about your situation, consult with a qualified attorney or contact the local rent control office.