Paterson, located in Passaic 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 Paterson 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: 5%, or 3.5% for 65+ year old heads of households or those found to be disabled by the SS Administration.
About Paterson: Paterson is located in Passaic County — a North Jersey county anchored by the industrial cities of Paterson and Passaic — in North Jersey. As a municipality with its own rent-control ordinance, Paterson regulates annual rent increases locally, on top of the statewide protections of the New Jersey Anti-Eviction Act. Paterson, the historic 'Silk City,' is one of New Jersey's oldest industrial centers.
The rent control ordinance in Paterson 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 Paterson limits annual rent increases to 5.0%. 5%, or 3.5% for 65+ year old heads of households or those found to be disabled by the SS Administration.
The rent control ordinance in Paterson sets a stated annual limit of 5.0% for covered units.
How Paterson's ordinance works: Paterson's ordinance sets a flat annual cap of 5% 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 Paterson:
To determine if your building is covered by rent control in Paterson, you can:
Confirming your status in Paterson: 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 Paterson, 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 Paterson. 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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