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Lodi is a densely populated borough in Bergen County with approximately 25,000 residents, a significant share of whom are renters occupying apartment buildings, two-family homes, and multi-unit dwellings. The local rental market reflects Bergen County's competitive housing environment, and tenants frequently ask about rent increases, security deposit rules, and eviction protections.
Unlike some New Jersey cities such as Newark or Jersey City that have layered local rent control ordinances on top of state law, Lodi relies entirely on New Jersey's robust statewide landlord-tenant framework. That framework — anchored by the Truth in Renting Act (N.J.S.A. § 46:8-43 et seq.), the Security Deposit Law (N.J.S.A. § 46:8-19 et seq.), and the Anti-Eviction Act (N.J.S.A. § 2A:18-61.1 et seq.) — gives Lodi tenants meaningful protections even without a local ordinance.
This article is intended as a general informational resource and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and individual circumstances vary. If you have a specific legal problem, consult a licensed New Jersey attorney or contact a legal aid organization in Bergen County.
Lodi has no local rent control ordinance. New Jersey does not preempt municipalities from enacting rent control — in fact, many NJ cities do have such laws — but the Borough of Lodi has not passed one. As a result, landlords in Lodi are free to raise rent by any amount, subject only to providing proper notice and complying with lease terms.
Under New Jersey law, a landlord must give a month-to-month tenant at least one month's written notice before a rent increase takes effect (N.J.S.A. § 2A:18-61.2). For fixed-term leases, the rent is set until the lease expires; landlords cannot raise rent mid-lease unless the lease explicitly permits it. When a lease ends, there is no cap on how much a landlord may propose for the renewal term, and a tenant who refuses the new rent may face a non-renewal proceeding under the Anti-Eviction Act's 'substantial increase in rent' provision (N.J.S.A. § 2A:18-61.1(l)).
Tenants facing large rent hikes should document all notices in writing and seek legal counsel if the increase appears retaliatory (see anti-retaliation protections below) or if the landlord is attempting to force a move-out without following just-cause eviction procedures.
Just-Cause Eviction (N.J.S.A. § 2A:18-61.1): New Jersey's Anti-Eviction Act requires landlords to have a legally recognized cause before evicting any residential tenant. Recognized grounds include nonpayment of rent, disorderly conduct, destruction of property, violation of a lease covenant, conviction of certain crimes on the premises, and a landlord's good-faith desire to personally occupy the unit. A landlord cannot simply wait for a lease to expire and remove a tenant without cause.
Habitability (N.J.S.A. § 46:8-6; New Jersey Supreme Court, Marini v. Ireland, 56 N.J. 130 (1970)): Every residential lease in New Jersey carries an implied warranty of habitability. Landlords must maintain rental units in a safe, sanitary, and habitable condition, including functioning heat, hot water, plumbing, and structural integrity. If a landlord fails to make necessary repairs after notice, tenants may have remedies including rent withholding, rent reduction, or repair-and-deduct, subject to procedural requirements.
Notice Requirements (N.J.S.A. § 2A:18-61.2): Landlords must give month-to-month tenants at least one full calendar month's written notice before terminating the tenancy. Tenants who have rented continuously for one year or more are entitled to two months' notice. These notice periods apply to non-renewal as well as termination for cause where notice is required.
Anti-Retaliation (N.J.S.A. § 2A:42-10.10 et seq.): A landlord may not retaliate against a tenant for reporting housing code violations, contacting a government agency about conditions, or organizing with other tenants. Retaliation is presumed if a landlord takes adverse action — such as a rent increase, service reduction, or eviction filing — within 90 days of a tenant's protected activity. A tenant who prevails on a retaliation claim may recover damages, attorney's fees, and court costs.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition (N.J.S.A. § 2A:39-1 et seq.; N.J.S.A. § 2A:18-61.6): Self-help evictions are illegal in New Jersey. A landlord may not remove a tenant's belongings, change the locks, or intentionally shut off utilities to force a tenant out. Only a court order and a county sheriff may lawfully remove a tenant.
Truth in Renting Act (N.J.S.A. § 46:8-43 et seq.): Landlords of buildings with three or more units must provide new tenants with the state's official 'Truth in Renting' statement, which summarizes their rights and obligations. Failure to provide this document is a violation enforceable by the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs.
Deposit Cap: Under N.J.S.A. § 46:8-21.2, a landlord may not collect a security deposit exceeding one and one-half times (1.5×) the monthly rent. For example, if monthly rent is $1,600, the maximum deposit is $2,400. Additional pet deposits or other charges applied as security are included in this cap.
Interest and Investment: Landlords holding security deposits must invest them in an interest-bearing account at a federally insured bank or money market fund, and must notify the tenant in writing within 30 days of receiving the deposit of the account details (N.J.S.A. § 46:8-19). Tenants are entitled to annual interest on their deposit.
Return Deadline: After the tenancy ends, the landlord must return the security deposit — along with accrued interest and an itemized written statement of any deductions — within 30 days (N.J.S.A. § 46:8-21.1). If the tenant was displaced by a fire or natural disaster, the deadline is shortened to five days.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If a landlord fails to return the deposit or provide a proper itemization within the required period, the tenant is entitled to double the wrongfully withheld amount as damages, plus reasonable attorney's fees and court costs (N.J.S.A. § 46:8-21.1). Tenants may sue in Small Claims Court (Special Civil Part) for amounts up to $5,000 without needing an attorney.
Permissible Deductions: Landlords may deduct only for unpaid rent and for damages beyond normal wear and tear. Routine painting, carpet cleaning after ordinary use, and general aging of the unit are typically considered normal wear and tear and may not be charged to the tenant.
Just Cause Required: As noted above, New Jersey's Anti-Eviction Act (N.J.S.A. § 2A:18-61.1) requires landlords to have a legally specified reason to evict. The most common grounds in Lodi proceedings are nonpayment of rent and lease violations.
Step 1 — Notice: Before filing in court, the landlord must serve the tenant with a written notice appropriate to the cause. For nonpayment of rent, the landlord must serve a written demand for payment (there is no minimum statutory waiting period before filing after a demand, but local court practice often involves a three-day notice). For lease violations, a written notice to cease the offending conduct is typically required, followed by a notice to quit if the violation continues. Notice periods vary by ground; tenants should review N.J.S.A. § 2A:18-61.2 for specifics.
Step 2 — Filing in Special Civil Part: The landlord files a complaint in the Special Civil Part of Bergen County Superior Court (located in Hackensack). The court schedules a hearing, and the tenant receives a summons with the court date. Tenants have the right to appear and present a defense.
Step 3 — Hearing: At the hearing, both parties may present evidence and testimony. Tenants may raise defenses including payment of rent, habitability issues (rent withholding defense), procedural defects in the notice, or retaliation. If the landlord prevails, the court enters a judgment for possession.
Step 4 — Warrant for Removal: After judgment, the court issues a warrant for removal. The Bergen County Sheriff's Office serves the warrant and, if the tenant has not vacated, physically removes the tenant and their belongings. Only the sheriff may lawfully execute a removal (N.J.S.A. § 2A:18-57).
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal: A landlord who changes locks, removes doors, shuts off utilities, or removes a tenant's belongings outside of this court process commits an unlawful self-help eviction. Tenants subjected to such conduct may seek emergency court relief and damages under N.J.S.A. § 2A:39-1 et seq.
Redemption Right: In nonpayment cases, a tenant may 'redeem' — pay all rent owed plus court costs — and stop the eviction at any time before the warrant for removal is executed (N.J.S.A. § 2A:18-55). This right may be exercised only once in a five-year period if the landlord objects.
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information presented reflects New Jersey landlord-tenant law as understood in April 2026, but laws and local ordinances can change. Every tenant's situation is unique, and the application of any law depends on specific facts. Lodi renters with individual legal questions should consult a licensed New Jersey attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization such as Legal Services of New Jersey. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and does not establish an attorney-client relationship with any reader.
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