Rent Control in Newark City, 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 Newark City

Newark City, 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 Newark City 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 Newark City?

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

• Minimum units requirement: The ordinance applies to buildings with 3 or more units.

3. Rent Increase Limits

The rent control ordinance in Newark City limits annual rent increases to 4.0%. No greater than the percentage increase in the CPI for the NY - Northern NJ - Long Island NY-NJ area from the CPI 15 months prior to the month of the proposed increase to the CPI 3 months prior to the

4. Exemptions and Exceptions

The following properties or situations may be exempt from rent control in Newark City:

• Public housing, owner-occupied housing with 4 units or less, motels, hotels, buildings rented for commercial use, units rehabilitated by HUD
• NJ DCA, or NJ Housing Mortgage Finance Agency that will be receiving Section 8 subsidies or federal vouchers, and newly constructed multiple dwellings. Vacancy Decontrol for dwellings that remain vacant for 18 months (exempt for 5 years), subject to Rent Control Board review and completion of rehabilitation that exceeds 50% of value.

5. How to Check Your Building's Status

To determine if your building is covered by rent control in Newark City, 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 Newark City Rent Control Board for information about your specific building.
• Call for assistance: 973-733-3675

6. Additional Resources

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Note: This article provides general information about rent control in Newark City. 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.