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Englewood is a mid-sized city in Bergen County, New Jersey, with a population of roughly 29,000 residents. The city's housing stock includes a substantial renter population, and tenants here benefit from some of the strongest statewide landlord-tenant protections in the United States. New Jersey's Anti-Eviction Act, Truth in Renting Act, and Security Deposit Law collectively establish meaningful rights for renters across all 564 municipalities, including Englewood.
Renters in Englewood most commonly search for information about security deposit returns, what justifies an eviction, and whether rent increases are capped. While Englewood itself has not enacted a local rent control ordinance, state law still requires landlords to follow strict procedures before raising rent, terminating a tenancy, or withholding a deposit. Understanding these protections can make a significant difference when disputes arise.
This guide summarizes the landlord-tenant laws most relevant to Englewood renters. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and individual circumstances vary — consult a licensed New Jersey attorney or a local legal aid organization for guidance specific to your situation.
Rent Control Status: No Local Ordinance
Englewood does not have a local rent control or rent stabilization ordinance. Unlike some neighboring Bergen County municipalities or cities such as Hoboken and Jersey City, Englewood has not adopted limits on how much a landlord may increase rent between lease terms. New Jersey law does not broadly preempt municipalities from enacting rent control — in fact, N.J.S.A. 2A:42-84.1 through 84.6 (the Local Rent Control Enabling Act) expressly authorizes municipalities to adopt such ordinances — but Englewood has exercised its discretion not to do so.
In practical terms, this means that once your current lease expires, your landlord may propose any rent increase amount for a new term. You are not legally obligated to accept the new rent and may decline to renew, in which case New Jersey's Anti-Eviction Act (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1) still requires the landlord to establish a qualifying just-cause reason before obtaining a court judgment of eviction. There is no state-level cap on rent increases for market-rate units. Renters in Englewood concerned about large rent hikes should document all rent increase notices and seek legal advice if an increase appears retaliatory or discriminatory.
Implied Warranty of Habitability
Under N.J.S.A. 2A:42-85 through 96 and the common-law warranty recognized in Marini v. Ireland (1970) and Berzito v. Gambino (1973), all residential landlords in New Jersey must maintain rental units in a safe, sanitary, and habitable condition. This includes working heat, hot water, plumbing, electrical systems, and structural integrity. If conditions fall below habitability standards, tenants may seek rent abatement, repair-and-deduct remedies, or lease termination through the courts.
Security Deposit Rules
New Jersey's Security Deposit Law (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19 through 26) governs all aspects of deposit collection and return. Landlords may collect up to 1.5 months' rent as a security deposit. Annual increases to the deposit are limited to 10% of the current deposit amount. Deposits must be held in a separate interest-bearing bank account, and tenants must be notified of the bank, account number, and interest rate within 30 days of receipt.
Notice Requirements
For month-to-month tenancies, N.J.S.A. 2A:18-56 requires that landlords provide at least one full rental period's written notice before terminating the tenancy. For weekly tenancies, seven days' notice is required. Tenants wishing to terminate should provide equivalent notice as a matter of good practice to avoid liability for unpaid rent.
Anti-Retaliation Protections
N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.10 through 10.14 prohibit landlords from retaliating against tenants who report housing code violations, complain to government agencies, or exercise any legal right. Retaliatory actions include rent increases, service reductions, and eviction proceedings taken within 90 days of a protected activity. A tenant facing retaliation may raise it as a defense in eviction proceedings and may be entitled to damages.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition
Self-help eviction is illegal in New Jersey. N.J.S.A. 2A:39-1 prohibits landlords from forcibly removing tenants or their belongings without a court order. Shutting off utilities, changing locks, or removing doors and windows to force a tenant out is unlawful and exposes the landlord to civil liability and potential criminal penalties. Tenants subjected to such conduct may seek emergency injunctive relief in the Superior Court.
Truth in Renting Act
Under N.J.S.A. 46:8-43 through 51, landlords renting to three or more residential tenants must provide each tenant with a copy of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs' Truth in Renting statement, which summarizes tenant rights and responsibilities under state law.
Maximum Deposit Amount
Under New Jersey's Security Deposit Law (N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.2), a landlord may collect no more than 1.5 months' rent as an initial security deposit. Subsequent annual increases are capped at 10% of the existing deposit balance.
Required Holding Procedures
Landlords must deposit security funds in a separate, interest-bearing account at a New Jersey financial institution (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19). The tenant must be notified in writing within 30 days of the name and address of the bank, the account number, and the annual interest rate being earned. Interest earned belongs to the tenant and must either be paid out annually or applied as a credit toward rent.
Return Deadline
After the tenancy ends, the landlord must return the security deposit — with any accrued interest — within 30 days of the termination of the tenancy, or within 15 days of receiving the tenant's forwarding address, whichever is later (N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1). If deductions are made, the landlord must provide an itemized written statement of damages along with the remaining balance.
Penalty for Non-Compliance
If a landlord wrongfully withholds all or part of the security deposit, or fails to return it within the required period, the tenant may sue for double the amount wrongfully withheld, plus attorney's fees and court costs (N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1). This double-damages remedy is a significant deterrent against improper withholding.
Just Cause Required
New Jersey's Anti-Eviction Act (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1 et seq.) prohibits a landlord from removing a residential tenant without establishing one of the enumerated just-cause grounds. Qualifying reasons include nonpayment of rent, disorderly conduct, damage to the property, violation of a lawful lease provision (after written notice and reasonable opportunity to cure), habitual late payment, drug-related activity on the premises, and — in limited circumstances — owner or immediate-family occupancy of the unit.
Notice Before Filing
Before filing a complaint in court, the landlord must serve the appropriate written notice on the tenant. For nonpayment of rent, the notice must demand payment or possession and allow at least three business days to cure (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.2). For lease violations other than nonpayment, the landlord must provide a notice to cease the offending behavior and, if behavior continues, a notice to quit — the required periods vary by the specific ground. For month-to-month termination based on qualifying just cause, one full rental period's notice is generally required under N.J.S.A. 2A:18-56.
Court Filing and Hearing
After proper notice, the landlord files a Complaint for Possession in the Special Civil Part of the Superior Court, Law Division for Bergen County. The court schedules a hearing, typically within a few weeks. Tenants are strongly encouraged to appear at the hearing and to raise any defenses — including retaliation, habitability issues, or improper notice — at that time.
Judgment and Lockout
If the court enters a judgment for possession, the landlord may then apply for a Warrant for Removal. A court officer (not the landlord) executes the warrant and physically removes the tenant. Only after the Warrant for Removal is executed is a tenant legally required to vacate. Self-help eviction — including changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities outside this process — is illegal under N.J.S.A. 2A:39-1 and subjects the landlord to civil and criminal liability.
COVID-19 and Other Overlays
New Jersey has periodically enacted emergency eviction protections; tenants should verify current law with legal aid or the NJ Courts website, as temporary measures may be in effect at any given time.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we strive to keep this content accurate and up to date as of April 2026, landlord-tenant laws — including statutes, local ordinances, and court interpretations — can change. Every tenancy situation is unique, and this guide cannot account for all individual circumstances. Renters in Englewood, NJ who have specific legal questions or face an eviction, deposit dispute, or habitability problem should consult a licensed New Jersey attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and no attorney-client relationship is created by your use of this site.
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