River Edge is a quiet suburban borough in Bergen County with a population of roughly 12,000 residents. While the borough is predominantly owner-occupied, a meaningful share of households rent — and those renters benefit from some of the strongest statewide tenant protections in the United States. New Jersey's landlord-tenant statutes, particularly the Anti-Eviction Act (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1) and the Security Deposit Law (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19 through 46:8-26), apply in full force to every residential rental unit in River Edge.
Renters in River Edge most commonly ask about security deposit returns, rent increase limits, and the eviction process. River Edge 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. Understanding these state-law baselines is the key to protecting your rights as a renter in this community.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant-landlord law can be complex and fact-specific; if you face an eviction, security deposit dispute, or other housing issue, consult a licensed New Jersey attorney or a qualified legal aid organization for guidance tailored to your situation.
Yes — River Edge has rent control. River Edge 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 4%. 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 River Edge 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 provides renters with extensive statutory protections that apply in River Edge. The key provisions are summarized below.
Implied Warranty of Habitability (N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.2): Every residential landlord in New Jersey is required to maintain rental premises in a safe, decent, and sanitary condition. This obligation is implied by law in every lease and cannot be waived by contract. Conditions such as lack of heat, structural defects, rodent infestations, or broken plumbing all implicate this warranty. If a landlord fails to remedy a habitability violation after receiving reasonable written notice, a tenant may pursue rent withholding, rent abatement, or repair-and-deduct remedies through the courts.
Security Deposit Law (N.J.S.A. 46:8-19 through 46:8-26): Landlords may collect no more than 1.5 months' rent as an initial security deposit. Deposits must be held in a separate interest-bearing account, and tenants must be notified in writing within 30 days of the name of the bank and account number. Annual interest on the deposit belongs to the tenant and must be credited or paid. The landlord must return the deposit — with itemized deductions if any — within 30 days of the tenancy ending or within 15 days of receiving the tenant's forwarding address, whichever is later.
Anti-Eviction Act (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1 et seq.): Landlords must have a legally recognized just-cause reason to evict any residential tenant in New Jersey. Acceptable grounds include non-payment of rent, lease violations, disorderly conduct, and landlord owner-occupancy of certain small buildings, among others enumerated in the statute. A landlord cannot simply refuse to renew a lease without meeting one of these statutory grounds.
Anti-Retaliation Protections (N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.10): Landlords are prohibited from retaliating against tenants who report housing code violations to government authorities, organize tenant associations, or assert their legal rights. Retaliation may include rent increases, service reductions, or eviction proceedings taken within 90 days of protected activity. A court will presume retaliation if adverse action occurs within that window, shifting the burden of proof to the landlord.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition (N.J.S.A. 2A:39-1 et seq.): Self-help eviction — including changing locks without a court order, removing doors or windows, or willfully discontinuing essential utility services — is illegal in New Jersey. A landlord who engages in self-help eviction can face civil liability and the tenant may obtain emergency injunctive relief to be restored to possession.
Truth in Renting Act (N.J.S.A. 46:8-43 et seq.): Landlords who own more than two rental units in New Jersey must provide every new tenant with a copy of the state's official 'Truth in Renting' statement, which summarizes tenant and landlord rights and responsibilities.
Security Deposit Cap: Under N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.2, a landlord in River Edge may not collect a security deposit exceeding one and one-half (1.5) months' rent at the inception of a tenancy. After the first year, any additional security deposit collected annually may not exceed 10% of the current deposit amount.
Holding Requirements: Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 46:8-19, all security deposit funds must be deposited into a separate interest-bearing account at a New Jersey bank or insured savings institution. The funds must not be commingled with the landlord's personal or business funds. Within 30 days of receiving the deposit, the landlord must provide written notice to the tenant identifying the bank, the account number, and the current interest rate. Tenants are entitled to annual interest credited to them or paid out.
Return Deadline: The landlord must return the security deposit — along with a written itemized statement of any deductions — within 30 days of the end of the tenancy, or within 15 days of receiving the tenant's new mailing address, whichever is later (N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1). Deductions are only permissible for unpaid rent and for damage beyond normal wear and tear.
Penalty for Non-Compliance: If a landlord fails to return the deposit within the statutory deadline without justification, the tenant is entitled to recover double the amount of the security deposit wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees and court costs, under N.J.S.A. 46:8-21.1. To preserve this claim, tenants should provide their forwarding address in writing (certified mail is strongly recommended) and keep a copy of all correspondence.
Just Cause Required: New Jersey's Anti-Eviction Act (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1) requires a landlord to have a valid, statutory just-cause reason before evicting any residential tenant. Common just-cause grounds include: (1) non-payment of rent; (2) disorderly conduct; (3) willful damage to the property; (4) violation of a lease covenant after written notice to cease; (5) habitual late payment of rent; (6) owner or immediate family member occupancy of a small building; and (7) conversion to condominium or cooperative ownership. A landlord who simply wants a tenant to leave — without one of these enumerated reasons — cannot legally evict them.
Required Notices Before Filing: The type and duration of notice depends on the grounds for eviction. For non-payment of rent, the landlord must serve a written Notice to Quit demanding payment; no specific advance period is required before filing in court, but the tenant has the right to pay all arrears and court costs before a judgment is entered to stop the eviction (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.2). For lease violations, the landlord must first serve a written Notice to Cease the offending conduct, and if the behavior continues, a Notice to Quit giving the tenant one full rental period (typically 30 days) to vacate. For month-to-month terminations, at least one full rental period of written notice is required under N.J.S.A. 2A:18-56.
Court Filing and Hearing: Eviction proceedings in New Jersey are filed in the Special Civil Part of the Superior Court (Landlord-Tenant section) in Bergen County, located in Hackensack. After a complaint is filed, the court schedules a hearing, typically within a few weeks. Both the landlord and tenant have the right to appear, present evidence, and contest the eviction. Tenants should attend all court dates and may request an adjournment to obtain legal representation.
Warrant for Removal: If the court enters judgment for the landlord, a Warrant for Removal is issued. Under N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.16, a tenant has at least three days after service of the warrant before a court officer may physically remove them, and courts retain discretion to grant hardship stays of up to six months in certain circumstances.
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal: Under New Jersey law (N.J.S.A. 2A:39-1 et seq.), a landlord may never evict a tenant by changing the locks, removing belongings, shutting off utilities, or using threats or intimidation. Only a Superior Court officer may carry out a lawful removal. A tenant subjected to a self-help eviction may file an emergency application with the court to be restored to possession and may seek damages from the landlord.
The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we strive to keep this content accurate and up to date, landlord-tenant laws in New Jersey and River Edge may change, and the application of the law varies depending on the specific facts of your situation. Nothing on this page creates an attorney-client relationship. If you have questions about your rights as a tenant, are facing eviction, or have a dispute with your landlord, please consult a licensed New Jersey attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization in Bergen County. Do not rely solely on this article to make legal decisions.
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