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Cliffside Park is a densely populated borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, situated along the Hudson River Palisades directly across from Manhattan. With a population of roughly 26,000 residents and significant multi-family housing stock, a large share of Cliffside Park households are renters — many of whom search for information about rent increases, security deposit returns, and eviction protections. New Jersey's statewide landlord-tenant statutes provide some of the strongest tenant protections in the country, and those laws apply in full to Cliffside Park renters.
Unlike several other New Jersey municipalities such as Jersey City and Hoboken, Cliffside Park has not enacted a local rent control ordinance. That means rent increases are governed solely by market forces and lease terms, not a local cap. However, New Jersey's Anti-Eviction Act, security deposit statute, Truth in Renting Act, and habitability standards all protect renters here just as they do statewide.
This article summarizes the state and local rules that apply to Cliffside Park renters. It is informational only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and your specific circumstances matter — consult a qualified attorney or legal aid organization if you need guidance on your individual situation.
No Rent Control in Cliffside Park. New Jersey does not have a statewide rent control law, but the state also does not preempt municipalities from enacting their own ordinances — meaning each city or borough can choose whether to regulate rents locally. Cliffside Park has not adopted a rent control or rent stabilization ordinance. As a result, there is no legal cap on how much a landlord may raise your rent between lease terms in this borough.
In practice, this means your landlord can raise rent by any amount at the conclusion of a lease, provided they give you proper written notice and follow the eviction procedures required by the New Jersey Anti-Eviction Act (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1 et seq.) if you do not agree to the new terms. If a proposed rent increase is so large as to be unconscionable and effectively forces you to leave, courts have occasionally scrutinized such increases under the Anti-Eviction Act's protections, but there is no guaranteed cap. Renters seeking affordable housing stability should be aware of this limitation and factor it into lease renewal decisions.
New Jersey's landlord-tenant statutes establish a comprehensive set of protections that apply to all residential renters in Cliffside Park:
Warranty of Habitability (N.J.S.A. 2A:42-85 et seq.; the Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law, N.J.S.A. 55:13A-1 et seq.). Landlords are required to maintain rental units in a safe, sanitary, and habitable condition. This includes functioning heat, hot water, working plumbing and electrical systems, and freedom from pest infestations. If a landlord fails to make necessary repairs, tenants may pursue rent withholding or rent reduction in Superior Court under the Marini v. Ireland doctrine and the habitability statutes.
Security Deposit Regulations (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19 through 46:8-26). Landlords may collect a security deposit of no more than one and one-half months' rent. Deposits must be held in a separate interest-bearing account, and tenants must be notified annually of the bank name, account number, and interest accrued. See the Security Deposit section below for return deadlines and penalties.
Notice Requirements (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-56). For month-to-month tenancies, a landlord must provide at least one full month's written notice before terminating the tenancy. For fixed-term leases, termination is governed by the lease terms and the Anti-Eviction Act.
Anti-Eviction Act / Just Cause Eviction (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1 et seq.). New Jersey prohibits landlords from evicting residential tenants without one of 18 enumerated just-cause grounds, including nonpayment of rent, lease violations, disorderly conduct, and owner move-in under specific conditions. This applies to virtually all residential tenants in New Jersey.
Anti-Retaliation Protections (N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.10 through 10.14). A landlord may not increase rent, decrease services, or initiate eviction proceedings against a tenant in retaliation for reporting housing code violations, contacting a government agency about conditions, or organizing with other tenants. There is a presumption of retaliation if adverse action occurs within 90 days of protected activity.
Prohibition on Lockouts and Utility Shutoffs (N.J.S.A. 2A:39-1 et seq.; N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.6). Self-help eviction — including changing locks, removing doors, or shutting off utilities — is illegal in New Jersey. Only a court order enforced by a law enforcement officer may be used to remove a tenant. Landlords who engage in self-help eviction may face civil and criminal liability.
Truth in Renting Act (N.J.S.A. 46:8-45 et seq.). Landlords of buildings with three or more units must provide tenants with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Truth in Renting statement, which summarizes tenant rights and responsibilities. Failure to provide it is a violation.
New Jersey's security deposit statute (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19 through 46:8-26) governs all security deposits for residential rentals in Cliffside Park.
Maximum Amount. A landlord may collect an initial security deposit of no more than one and one-half (1.5) months' rent. After the first year of tenancy, any additional deposit demanded in a single year cannot exceed 10% of the current security deposit.
Holding Requirements. The deposit must be placed in a separate interest-bearing account in a New Jersey bank, insured by a federal or state agency. Landlords must notify the tenant in writing within 30 days of receiving the deposit of the bank name, branch address, account number, and type of account. This notification must be updated annually.
Return Deadline. Within 30 days after the end of the tenancy, the landlord must return the deposit plus accumulated interest, less any itemized deductions for unpaid rent or damages beyond normal wear and tear. If the tenant provides a forwarding address after vacating, the 30-day clock may run from receipt of that address or from the end of the tenancy, whichever is later. For certain cases involving catastrophic loss or condemnation, different timelines apply.
Penalty for Non-Compliance (N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1). If a landlord wrongfully withholds any portion of the security deposit or fails to return it within the required time, the tenant is entitled to double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees and court costs. This double-damages remedy provides a strong incentive for timely return.
Practical Tip. Document the condition of your unit with photos and a written checklist at move-in and move-out, and always provide your landlord with a written forwarding address when you vacate.
Evictions in Cliffside Park are governed by the New Jersey Anti-Eviction Act (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1 et seq.) and the Landlord-Tenant Act (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-53 et seq.). New Jersey's process is tenant-protective and requires court involvement at every stage.
Step 1 — Just Cause Required. A landlord must have one of the 18 grounds listed in N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1, which include: nonpayment of rent, habitual late payment, disorderly conduct, destruction of property, violating the lease, engaging in illegal activity on the premises, and owner or immediate family member move-in (subject to strict conditions). There is no legal eviction without a valid just-cause ground.
Step 2 — Written Notice. The landlord must serve the tenant with a written notice before filing in court. The required notice period depends on the ground: nonpayment of rent requires a written demand for rent (often called a Notice to Quit for nonpayment) with at least 30 days' notice for month-to-month tenants; disorderly conduct or lease violations typically require a 3-day or 30-day cure notice depending on the nature of the violation; habitual late payment requires a 30-day notice. Always check N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.2 for the specific notice tied to each ground.
Step 3 — Filing in Superior Court. If the tenant does not vacate or cure, the landlord files a Complaint for Summary Dispossess in the Special Civil Part of Superior Court in Bergen County. A hearing date is scheduled, typically within a few weeks. Both parties may present evidence.
Step 4 — Court Hearing and Judgment. If the court finds in the landlord's favor, it issues a Judgment for Possession. Tenants may have the right to pay outstanding rent in court to stop a nonpayment eviction (the right of redemption). The court will set a date after which the landlord may apply for a Warrant for Removal.
Step 5 — Warrant for Removal and Lockout. The court issues a Warrant for Removal, which is served by a court officer. The tenant has a statutory 3-day notice period after service of the warrant before the officer may execute the removal. Only a court officer — not the landlord — may physically remove a tenant.
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal. A landlord who changes locks, removes doors or windows, shuts off utilities, or removes a tenant's belongings to force them out without a court order violates N.J.S.A. 2A:39-1 et seq. and N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.6. Tenants subjected to self-help eviction may seek emergency injunctive relief and damages in Superior Court.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information presented here reflects publicly available laws and resources as of April 2026, but landlord-tenant statutes, local ordinances, and court interpretations can change. Every tenant's situation is unique, and the application of these laws to your specific circumstances may differ. If you are facing an eviction, a dispute over your security deposit, or any other landlord-tenant issue, you should consult a qualified attorney licensed in New Jersey or contact a legal aid organization in Bergen County. Do not rely solely on this article to make legal decisions.
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