Rent Control in Trenton 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 Trenton City

Trenton City, located in Mercer 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 Trenton 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 Trenton City?

The rent control ordinance in Trenton 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 1 or more units.

3. Rent Increase Limits

The rent control ordinance in Trenton City limits annual rent increases to 4.0%. 4% no more than every 12 months, 2% for a senior citizen tenant or disabled tenant

4. Exemptions and Exceptions

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

• Owner-occupied 1- and 2-family dwellings, public or other federally subsidized housing, motels, hotels, similar premises, any portion of a building rented commercially, newly constructed or converted housing rented for the first time (until re-rented). Vacancy Decontrol. 25% maximum increase at decontrol unless the landlord can demonstrate that the rent increase is justified under the provisions of the rent control ordinance, or can demonstrate that the previous tenancy was not based on an arms-length business relationship.

5. How to Check Your Building's Status

To determine if your building is covered by rent control in Trenton 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 Trenton City Rent Control Board for information about your specific building.
• Call for assistance: (609) 989-3507

6. Additional Resources

• Rent Control Ordinance: View the full text of the ordinance
• Rent Control Board Website: https://www.trentonnj.org/501/Rent-Stabilization-Board
• New Jersey Department of Community Affairs: https://www.nj.gov/dca/

Frequently Asked Questions

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