Howell Township is one of the largest municipalities in Monmouth County, with a population of roughly 55,000 residents. The township has grown steadily as a bedroom community for the New York metro area, and a significant portion of residents rent single-family homes, townhouses, and apartment units. Renters in Howell most commonly search for information about security deposit returns, eviction protections, and rent increase rules.
Howell has adopted a local rent control ordinance, so renters here have a local cap on annual rent increases in addition to New Jersey's statewide tenant protections. That means the full framework governing your tenancy comes from New Jersey state law — primarily the New Jersey Anti-Eviction Act (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1 et seq.), the Truth in Renting Act (N.J.S.A. 46:8-45 et seq.), and the Security Deposit Law (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19 et seq.). New Jersey's statewide protections are among the strongest in the country, including a mandatory just-cause eviction standard and robust anti-retaliation provisions.
This article is for informational purposes only 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 local legal aid organization.
Yes — Howell has rent control. Howell is one of roughly 100 New Jersey municipalities that has adopted a local rent control (rent leveling) ordinance. The ordinance generally limits annual increases to 5% and any increased cost to the landlord of utilities, space fees, and license fees. It is administered by the municipality's rent control / rent leveling board, where tenants can file complaints and landlords can apply for hardship or capital-improvement increases.
New Jersey has no statewide rent cap, but state law lets municipalities adopt local rent control under their home-rule and police power (N.J.S.A. 40:48-2; Inganamort v. Fort Lee, 62 N.J. 521). Coverage, exemptions (such as owner-occupied small buildings or newer construction), and the exact current cap vary by ordinance — confirm yours with the Howell rent control board before relying on a specific percentage. Beyond the rent cap, the Anti-Eviction Act (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1) requires a landlord to have just cause to evict.
New Jersey's landlord-tenant statutes provide a comprehensive set of protections that apply to every residential rental in Howell:
Warranty of Habitability (N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.16; Marini v. Ireland, 56 N.J. 130 (1970)): Every residential landlord in New Jersey must maintain the rental unit in a safe, decent, and habitable condition. This includes functioning heat, hot water, plumbing, structural integrity, and freedom from pest infestation. If a landlord fails to make necessary repairs after reasonable notice, tenants may pursue rent withholding, repair-and-deduct, or lease termination through the courts.
Truth in Renting Act (N.J.S.A. 46:8-45 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 tenant and landlord rights. Failure to provide this document does not void the lease but may be relevant in disputes.
Notice Requirements (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-56): For a month-to-month tenancy, either party must give at least one full rental period's written notice (typically 30 days) before terminating. For fixed-term leases, the lease end date itself serves as notice unless the landlord seeks to change terms for renewal.
Anti-Retaliation Protection (N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.10 & 2A:42-10.11): A landlord may not raise rent, reduce services, or commence eviction proceedings against a tenant in retaliation for reporting housing code violations, contacting a government agency, or exercising any legal right. A court may presume retaliation if adverse action occurs within 90 days of protected activity.
Prohibition on Self-Help Eviction (N.J.S.A. 2A:39-1 et seq.): A landlord may never lock out a tenant, remove doors or windows, or shut off essential utilities (heat, electricity, water) to force a tenant to leave. These acts constitute an illegal lockout and can expose the landlord to civil liability and criminal charges.
Domestic Violence Protections (N.J.S.A. 46:8-9.4 et seq.): Tenants who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking may terminate a lease early without penalty by providing written notice and documentation of the qualifying event.
New Jersey's Security Deposit Law (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19 through 46:8-26) governs every aspect of how security deposits must be collected, held, and returned in Howell.
Cap on Amount: For most residential rentals, a landlord may collect no more than one and one-half times the monthly rent as a security deposit. In the first year of tenancy, the landlord may not collect more than that cap. Annual increases to the deposit are limited to 10% of the current deposit amount (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19).
Holding Requirements: The landlord must deposit the security deposit in a separate interest-bearing account at a New Jersey bank or insured institution within 30 days of receipt. The landlord must notify the tenant in writing of the bank name, address, and account number within 30 days of receiving the deposit and annually thereafter (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19).
Return Deadline: After the tenancy ends, the landlord has 30 days to return the deposit (plus accrued interest), or 15 days after 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.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If a landlord wrongfully withholds all or part of the security deposit without providing the required itemization, or fails to meet the deadline, the tenant is entitled to double (2x) the amount wrongfully withheld, plus court costs and reasonable attorney's fees (N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1). Tenants may file suit in New Jersey Small Claims Court (Special Civil Part) for amounts up to $5,000.
New Jersey's Anti-Eviction Act (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1 et seq.) requires a landlord to have one of the statutory just-cause grounds before evicting any residential tenant. This protection applies in Howell regardless of whether the lease has expired.
Grounds for Eviction (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1): Permitted just-cause grounds include nonpayment of rent, habitual late payment of rent, disorderly conduct, destruction of property, violation of a lease covenant, illegal drug activity, and certain owner-occupancy or redevelopment situations, among others. A landlord who cannot prove one of these grounds may not evict a tenant.
Required Notices:
Court Process: After the notice period expires and the tenant has not vacated or cured, the landlord may file a Complaint for Possession in the Special Civil Part of the Superior Court for Monmouth County. The court will schedule a hearing, typically within a few weeks. Both sides present evidence; the judge decides whether grounds for eviction exist.
Warrant for Removal: If the landlord wins, the court issues a Judgment for Possession. After a further waiting period (at least three business days for nonpayment cases), the court may issue a Warrant for Removal. A Special Civil Part Officer (not the landlord) physically executes any removal.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: A landlord who changes locks, removes belongings, shuts off utilities, or otherwise attempts to force a tenant out without a court order violates N.J.S.A. 2A:39-1 et seq. and may be subject to civil damages, injunctive relief, and potential criminal charges. Tenants subjected to an illegal lockout should call local police and seek an emergency court order.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws — including statutes, court decisions, and local ordinances — can change, and the application of any law depends on the specific facts of your situation. RentCheckMe makes no warranties about the accuracy or completeness of this content. If you have a landlord-tenant dispute or legal question, please consult a licensed New Jersey attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization in Monmouth County. Do not rely solely on this article to make legal decisions.
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