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Ridgewood is a village in Bergen County, New Jersey, with a population of roughly 25,000. While much of its housing stock consists of single-family homes, a significant share of residents rent apartments, condos, and smaller multi-family units in and around the downtown area. Renters in Ridgewood most commonly search for information about security deposit return timelines, what protections they have against sudden rent increases, and whether a landlord can evict them without cause.
New Jersey has some of the strongest statewide tenant protections in the nation. The Anti-Eviction Act (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1) requires landlords to prove a specific legal reason before removing any residential tenant, regardless of whether there is a local rent control law. The Truth in Renting Act (N.J.S.A. 46:8-43 et seq.) requires most landlords to provide tenants with a written summary of their rights. These protections apply fully to Ridgewood renters.
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change, and your individual situation may require consultation with a licensed New Jersey attorney or a qualified legal aid organization.
Ridgewood has no rent control ordinance. Unlike municipalities such as Newark, Jersey City, or Hoboken — which have enacted local rent stabilization laws — the Village of Ridgewood has not passed any ordinance limiting how much a landlord may increase rent.
New Jersey does not have a statewide statute that preempts local rent control; in fact, the legislature has explicitly authorized municipalities to enact rent leveling laws (N.J.S.A. 2A:42-84.1). Ridgewood has simply chosen not to exercise that authority. As a result, a landlord in Ridgewood may raise rent by any amount upon proper notice and at the time of lease renewal — there is no cap on the percentage increase.
In practice, this means Ridgewood renters on month-to-month tenancies or renewing fixed-term leases have no local legal protection against large rent increases, provided the landlord gives the required notice. The only practical checks are the market itself and the statewide just-cause eviction requirement, which means a landlord cannot evict you simply because you refused an increase — they must first have a recognized statutory ground under N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1.
Anti-Eviction Act / Just-Cause Eviction (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1): New Jersey requires landlords to have a specific statutory ground — such as nonpayment of rent, disorderly conduct, lease violations, or owner-occupancy — before they can remove a residential tenant. Landlords cannot terminate a tenancy simply because they want the unit back or because a lease term has expired.
Implied Warranty of Habitability (N.J.S.A. 2A:42-85 through 2A:42-96; Marini v. Ireland, 56 N.J. 130 (1970)): Landlords are legally obligated to maintain rental premises in a livable condition, including functioning heat, hot water, plumbing, and structurally sound premises. If a landlord fails to make essential repairs after written notice, tenants may have remedies including rent withholding or repair-and-deduct under New Jersey case law and the Rent Security Deposit Act.
Security Deposit Rules (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19 through 46:8-26): Landlords may charge a maximum security deposit of one and one-half months' rent. The deposit must be held in a separate interest-bearing account, and tenants must be notified of the bank and account number within 30 days of receiving the deposit.
Anti-Retaliation Protection (N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.10 through 2A:42-10.14): Landlords are prohibited from retaliating — through rent increases, service reductions, or eviction proceedings — against tenants who report housing code violations, contact government agencies, or exercise any legal tenant right. Retaliation is presumed if adverse action occurs within 90 days of protected activity.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition (N.J.S.A. 2A:39-1 et seq.; N.J.S.A. 2C:33-15): Self-help evictions — including changing locks, removing doors, or shutting off utilities to force a tenant out — are illegal in New Jersey. Only a court-ordered removal through the formal eviction process is lawful.
Truth in Renting Act (N.J.S.A. 46:8-43 through 46:8-51): Landlords of buildings with more than two units must provide every tenant with a copy of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs' official Truth in Renting statement, which summarizes tenant rights and responsibilities.
Notice of Rent Increase: For month-to-month tenancies, landlords must give at least one month's written notice before a rent increase takes effect. For tenants with fixed-term leases, the increase generally cannot take effect until lease renewal.
New Jersey's security deposit rules are governed by the Security Deposit Act (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19 through 46:8-26), which applies to all residential rentals in Ridgewood.
Maximum Amount: A landlord may not collect more than one and one-half (1.5) months' rent as a security deposit at the start of a tenancy. Annual increases to the security deposit are limited to 10% of the current deposit amount (N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.2).
Holding Requirements: The deposit must be placed in a separate interest-bearing account at a New Jersey banking institution. Within 30 days of receiving the deposit, the landlord must notify the tenant in writing of the bank name, branch address, and account number (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19). The tenant is entitled to annual interest earnings on the deposit.
Return Deadline: After the tenancy ends, the landlord has 30 days to return the security deposit (plus accrued interest), along with an itemized written statement of any deductions for unpaid rent or damages beyond normal wear and tear (N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1).
Penalty for Non-Compliance: If the landlord fails to return the deposit and itemized statement within 30 days without justification, the tenant may sue in Small Claims Court for the full deposit amount plus damages. Courts have awarded double the wrongfully withheld amount in cases of bad-faith retention. The landlord also forfeits the right to deduct any amounts if they fail to provide the required itemized statement (N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1).
Normal Wear and Tear: Deductions are permitted only for damages beyond ordinary wear and tear. A landlord cannot deduct for repainting due to normal aging, minor scuffs, or carpet wear from regular use.
New Jersey's eviction process is strictly regulated and requires a court order. Ridgewood landlords must follow every step of this process to legally remove a tenant.
Step 1 — Just Cause Required (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1): A landlord must have a legally recognized ground for eviction. Common grounds include: nonpayment of rent, habitual late payment, disorderly conduct, substantial lease violations, willful destruction of property, conviction of drug offenses on premises, or in limited circumstances, owner or immediate family occupancy. The expiration of a lease alone is not sufficient grounds to evict a residential tenant in New Jersey.
Step 2 — Written Notice: The landlord must serve the appropriate written notice before filing in court. The notice period depends on the ground:
— Nonpayment of rent: A written demand for rent, commonly referred to as a "pay or quit" notice, must be served (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.2). While no specific statutory waiting period is mandated before filing, courts expect reasonable opportunity to pay.
— Lease violations or disorderly conduct: A written notice to cease the conduct is required before filing, giving the tenant opportunity to cure (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.2).
— Month-to-month termination: At least one full month's written notice is required (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-56).
— Non-renewal of fixed-term lease: At least one month's written notice before the lease expires.
Step 3 — Filing a Complaint in Special Civil Part: If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord files a Landlord/Tenant complaint in the Special Civil Part of the Bergen County Superior Court (Bergen County Courthouse, Hackensack). The tenant is served with a summons and the date of the hearing.
Step 4 — Court Hearing: Both parties appear at the hearing. The tenant has the right to present defenses, including payment of rent owed, habitability issues (a "rent-withholding" defense), or improper notice. If the court finds in favor of the landlord, it issues a Judgment for Possession.
Step 5 — Warrant for Removal: After a Judgment for Possession, the landlord must obtain a Warrant for Removal. The court officer (Special Civil Part Officer) serves the warrant, giving the tenant a minimum of three business days to vacate (N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.16).
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: A landlord who changes locks, removes the tenant's belongings, shuts off utilities, or otherwise attempts to force a tenant out without a court order commits an unlawful act under N.J.S.A. 2A:39-1 and may face civil and criminal liability. Tenants subjected to self-help eviction can seek emergency relief in court.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information on this page reflects our understanding of New Jersey landlord-tenant law as of April 2026, but laws and local regulations change. Your individual circumstances may significantly affect your rights and obligations. Renters in Ridgewood, NJ who need guidance on a specific situation 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 user.
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