Montclair, located in Essex 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 Montclair 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.
Ordinance basis: 4%. 2.5% for seniors age 65 or older. 6% allowed if the landlord did not collect an increase on an existing tenants' annual rent since May 1, 2020.
About Montclair: Montclair is located in Essex County — a densely populated North Jersey county anchored by Newark, the state's largest city — in North Jersey. As a municipality with its own rent-control ordinance, Montclair regulates annual rent increases locally, on top of the statewide protections of the New Jersey Anti-Eviction Act. Montclair is an affluent, culturally prominent suburb west of Newark.
The rent control ordinance in Montclair applies to specific types of properties based on the number of units and other criteria:
The rule data lists coverage for buildings with 2 or more units, subject to the ordinance exemptions.
The rent control ordinance in Montclair limits annual rent increases to 4.0%. 4%. 2.5% for seniors age 65 or older. 6% allowed if the landlord did not collect an increase on an existing tenants' annual rent since May 1, 2020.
The rent control ordinance in Montclair sets a stated annual limit of 4.0% for covered units.
How Montclair's ordinance works: Montclair's ordinance sets a flat annual cap of 4% on rent increases for covered units. The ordinance generally applies to residential buildings with 2 or more rental units; smaller and owner-occupied properties are frequently outside its scope. The ordinance is administered by the municipality's rent-control / rent-leveling board, whose contact details appear in the resources below. Common exemptions — such as newly constructed units, owner-occupied small buildings, and certain subsidized housing — are listed in the Exemptions section below.
The following properties or situations may be exempt from rent control in Montclair:
To determine if your building is covered by rent control in Montclair, you can:
Confirming your status in Montclair: Local rent-control percentages can change from year to year, and coverage depends on your building's size and any exemptions. Before signing or renewing a lease in Montclair, confirm the current allowable increase with the municipal rent board, and verify that your unit is covered. You can also enter your address in the RentCheckMe checker above for an initial read on whether your building is likely regulated.
Note: This article provides general information about rent control in Montclair. 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.
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