Unlike states like California or Oregon that have statewide rent control laws, New Jersey does not have a statewide rent control statute. Instead, New Jersey delegates rent control authority to individual municipalities under the Rent Control Act (N.J.S.A. 2A:42-74 et seq.).
This means rent control in New Jersey varies significantly from town to town:
128+ municipalities have enacted local rent control ordinances
Each municipality sets its own rules for rent increase caps, coverage, and exemptions
Many municipalities have no rent control at all
Rent control boards administer the ordinances at the local level
This local approach means tenants must check their specific municipality's rules to understand their protections.
2. Common Rent Increase Cap Formulas
New Jersey municipalities use various formulas to cap rent increases. The most common approaches include:
CPI-Based Caps
Many municipalities tie allowable rent increases to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Examples:
Jersey City: CPI for the NY-NJ metropolitan area, calculated annually
Newark: Based on CPI with specific calculation periods
Atlantic Highlands: CPI or 1.5%, plus/minus tax pass-through
Fixed Percentage Caps
Some municipalities set fixed annual caps:
Asbury Park: 3.5% maximum
Belleville: No more than 4%
Bloomfield: Up to 3% per year
East Orange: 4% maximum
Hybrid Formulas
Some municipalities use the lesser of CPI or a fixed cap:
Bayonne: CPI formula, not to exceed 5%
Barnegat: Lesser of 3.5% and CPI
3. Which Properties Are Typically Covered?
Coverage varies by municipality, but rent control ordinances typically apply to:
Multi-family buildings with a minimum number of units (often 3+ or 4+ units)
Older buildings constructed before a certain date
Mobile home parks (in some municipalities)
Common Exemptions
Properties commonly exempt from rent control in New Jersey include:
New construction: Buildings constructed after a certain date (varies by municipality)
Small buildings: Properties with fewer than the minimum required units
Owner-occupied buildings: Where the owner lives in one unit
Luxury decontrol: Units exceeding certain rent thresholds (in some municipalities)
Substantial rehabilitation: Buildings that underwent major renovations
Federally subsidized housing: Section 8 and other subsidized units
4. Tenant Protections Beyond Rent Control
Even in municipalities without rent control, New Jersey provides some statewide tenant protections:
Anti-Eviction Act: Landlords must have "good cause" to evict tenants (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1)
Security deposit limits: Maximum of 1.5 months' rent
Required notice: 30-60 days notice required for rent increases depending on lease type
Truth in Renting Act: Requires landlords to provide a copy of the state's truth in renting statement
Habitability standards: Landlords must maintain safe and livable conditions
5. Hardship Increases and Appeals
Most rent control ordinances allow landlords to apply for increases above the standard cap under certain circumstances:
Hardship increases: When operating costs significantly exceed rental income
Capital improvement surcharges: For major building improvements
Tax pass-throughs: Passing property tax increases to tenants
Tenants typically have the right to contest these increases before the local rent control board.
6. How to Check If Your Building Is Covered
To determine if your rental is covered by rent control:
Use RentCheckMe:Enter your address to check coverage for 566 NJ municipalities
Contact your municipal clerk: They can tell you if your town has a rent control ordinance
Check with the rent control board: If your municipality has one, they maintain records of covered buildings
Review your lease: Some leases specify whether the unit is rent-controlled
7. What to Do If Your Rights Are Violated
If you believe your landlord has violated rent control rules:
File a complaint: Contact your local rent control board
Document everything: Keep copies of rent increase notices, leases, and payment records
Seek legal help: Contact Legal Services of New Jersey or a tenant rights attorney
Report to DCA: The NJ Department of Community Affairs handles landlord-tenant complaints
Important: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Rent control rules vary significantly between municipalities. For specific legal questions about your situation, consult with a qualified attorney or contact your local rent control board.
Check Your Property
Want to know if your specific property is covered by rent control in New Jersey?
Use RentCheckMe's address checker to get an instant evaluation based on your municipality's rules.
Municipality-Specific Guides
Looking for rent control information specific to your municipality? We have detailed guides for all 566 New Jersey municipalities: