Want to skip straight to checking your own building? Use the RentCheckMe address checker.
Maywood is a small residential borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, with a population of roughly 9,500 residents. While a significant share of Maywood households rent, the borough has not enacted local rent control or additional landlord-tenant ordinances beyond what New Jersey state law already provides. That means renters here rely primarily on the state's robust framework of tenant protections.
New Jersey is considered one of the stronger states for tenant rights in the United States. The New Jersey Anti-Eviction Act (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1 et seq.) requires landlords to have a specific, legally recognized just-cause reason before evicting any tenant — a protection that does not exist in many other states. State law also governs security deposits, habitability standards, retaliation prohibitions, and lockout bans. Maywood renters most commonly research eviction rights, security deposit returns, and landlord repair obligations.
This article provides a factual overview of the laws that apply to Maywood tenants. It is informational only and does not constitute legal advice. Renters facing specific disputes should consult a licensed New Jersey attorney or a local legal aid organization.
Maywood Has No Rent Control. The Borough of Maywood has not passed a local rent control or rent stabilization ordinance. Unlike many of its neighbors in Bergen County and elsewhere in New Jersey — such as Hackensack or Fort Lee — Maywood imposes no cap on how much a landlord may increase rent, how frequently increases may occur, or what procedures must be followed before raising rent.
New Jersey state law does not preempt local rent control the way some other states do; municipalities are expressly permitted to enact rent control under their home-rule authority. However, Maywood has simply chosen not to exercise that authority. This means landlords in Maywood may raise rent by any amount upon proper notice (generally one full rental period in advance for month-to-month tenants, or at lease renewal for fixed-term leases), subject only to any contractual provisions in the lease itself.
Tenants who believe a rent increase is retaliatory — for example, following a complaint about habitability — may have recourse under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 et seq.) or the anti-retaliation provisions of N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.10. Outside of those scenarios, no state statute limits the amount of a rent increase in Maywood.
New Jersey provides a comprehensive set of tenant protections that apply in full to Maywood renters.
Implied Warranty of Habitability. Under N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.10 and the landmark New Jersey Supreme Court decision Marini v. Ireland (1970), every residential lease in New Jersey carries an implied warranty that the premises are safe, sanitary, and fit for human habitation. Landlords must maintain heating, plumbing, electrical systems, structural integrity, and freedom from vermin. If a landlord fails to make necessary repairs after proper notice, tenants may pursue rent withholding or repair-and-deduct remedies through the courts.
Security Deposit Rules. Governed by the New Jersey Security Deposit Law (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19 through 46:8-26). Deposits are capped, must be held in a separate interest-bearing account, and must be returned within specific deadlines (see the Security Deposit section below).
Notice Requirements. For month-to-month tenancies, either party must provide one month's written notice to terminate under N.J.S.A. 2A:18-56. For non-payment of rent, a landlord must serve a written Notice to Quit giving the tenant at least one month to cure before filing in court (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.2). Specific violations carry their own notice periods under the Anti-Eviction Act.
Anti-Retaliation Protections. N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.10 prohibits landlords from increasing rent, decreasing services, or commencing eviction proceedings in retaliation against a tenant who has reported housing code violations, complained to a governmental agency, or organized with other tenants. A court may award damages and attorney's fees if retaliation is proven.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition. Self-help evictions are illegal in New Jersey. Under N.J.S.A. 2A:39-1 et seq. (forcible entry and detainer statutes) and N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.10, a landlord may not remove a tenant by changing locks, removing doors, or deliberately cutting off heat, electricity, gas, or water. Only a Superior Court judge can authorize a lawful removal through the court process. Tenants who are locked out or have utilities shut off may seek emergency injunctive relief in New Jersey Superior Court.
Truth in Renting Act. Under N.J.S.A. 46:8-45 through 46:8-50, landlords of buildings with three or more units must provide each tenant with the State's official Truth in Renting statement, which summarizes their rights and obligations under New Jersey law.
Security deposits in Maywood are governed exclusively by the New Jersey Security Deposit Law (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19 through 46:8-26).
Deposit Cap. For new tenancies, the landlord may not collect more than one and one-half months' rent as a security deposit (N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.2). During an ongoing tenancy, the landlord may increase the deposit to reflect rent increases, but the cumulative total must not exceed one and one-half months of the current rent, and any increase must be paid over the same number of months as the rent increase was in effect.
Interest and Holding Requirements. The landlord must deposit the security deposit in a separate, interest-bearing account at a New Jersey financial institution within 30 days of receipt and must notify the tenant in writing of the bank name, address, account type, and account number (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19). Interest or earnings on the deposit belong to the tenant and must be applied annually to rent or returned at the end of the tenancy.
Return Deadline. After the tenancy ends, the landlord must return the deposit (plus 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 the landlord makes deductions for damages or unpaid rent, an itemized written statement of deductions must accompany the remaining balance within the same deadline.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding. If a landlord wrongfully withholds all or part of a security deposit, the tenant may sue for double (1.5× the deposit withheld is the penalty, bringing total recovery to double the withheld amount) plus reasonable attorney's fees and court costs under N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1. Courts have consistently awarded the double-damage penalty when landlords fail to comply with the statute's procedural requirements, even when some damages existed.
Evictions in Maywood are governed by the New Jersey Anti-Eviction Act (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1 et seq.) and are heard in the Special Civil Part (Landlord-Tenant Part) of the Bergen County Superior Court.
Just Cause Required. New Jersey law requires a landlord to have a specific, legally recognized cause before filing to evict a residential tenant. Recognized grounds include: non-payment of rent; disorderly conduct; willful destruction of property; violation of a lease term (after notice and opportunity to cure); drug offenses on the premises; conviction of certain crimes; and owner or immediate family member occupancy (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1(a) through (l)). A landlord cannot evict a tenant simply because the landlord wants the unit back or because the lease expired.
Notice to Quit. Before filing in court, the landlord must serve the tenant with a written Notice to Quit specifying the ground for eviction. The required notice period varies by ground: non-payment of rent requires a written notice giving the tenant one month to pay or vacate (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.2(a)); lease violations generally require one month's notice with an opportunity to cure; other grounds may require three months' notice (e.g., owner-occupancy under N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.2(g)).
Filing and Hearing. If the tenant does not comply with the Notice to Quit, the landlord may file a Complaint for Possession in the Special Civil Part of Bergen County Superior Court (located at Bergen County Justice Center, 10 Main St., Hackensack, NJ 07601). The tenant will receive a summons and a hearing date. Tenants have the absolute right to appear and contest the eviction, present defenses (including habitability and retaliation), and request adjournments. Represented tenants almost always have better outcomes.
Warrant of Removal. If the court rules in the landlord's favor, a Judgment for Possession is entered and the landlord may apply for a Warrant of Removal. The warrant is served by a court officer, and the tenant is given a brief statutory period (typically three business days) after service of the warrant before actual removal. The tenant may seek an emergent stay from the court if compelling circumstances exist.
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal. Under N.J.S.A. 2A:39-1 and N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.10, a landlord who changes locks, removes personal property, shuts off utilities, or uses any form of intimidation to force a tenant out without a court order commits an illegal act. Tenants who experience a self-help eviction may seek emergency injunctive relief in Superior Court, and the landlord may be liable for damages and attorney's fees.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws, ordinances, and court interpretations change frequently, and individual circumstances vary. Renters in Maywood, NJ who are facing eviction, a security deposit dispute, habitability issues, or any other landlord-tenant matter should consult a licensed New Jersey attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization before taking action. RentCheckMe makes no representations regarding the completeness or current accuracy of the information provided, and this page should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional legal counsel.
Find out if your home is covered by rent control or tenant protections.
Use the Address Checker →We'll email you if the rent cap, coverage rules, or tenant protections change — no spam, unsubscribe any time.