New Jersey Rent Increase Laws: Municipal Control & 30-Day Notice

New Jersey does not have a statewide rent control law, but it boasts the most extensive network of municipal-level rent control ordinances in the nation, with approximately 117 of its 564 municipalities imposing caps on how much a landlord can raise rent each year.

No Statewide Rent Control

In municipalities without a local rent control ordinance, a landlord may raise the rent by any amount, provided:

• Proper written notice is given (at least one full month in advance for month-to-month tenancies).
• The increase is not retaliatory (e.g., in response to a habitability complaint).
• The increase is not discriminatory.

Municipal Rent Control (~117 Municipalities)

In municipalities with rent control, annual increases are typically capped between 2% and 6% per lease term. The exact cap and rules vary by municipality. Many municipalities tie their cap to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Notable Examples

• Jersey City: Has a rent control ordinance applying to buildings built before 1987 with more than 3 units. Increases are capped at a percentage tied to CPI.
• Hoboken: One of the strictest rent-controlled cities in NJ. Annual increases are capped and governed by a Rent Leveling Board.
• Newark: Has a rent control ordinance that limits annual increases and requires landlord registration.

30-Year Exemption for New Construction

Under N.J.S.A. 2A:42-84.2, housing units completed and first rented after June 25, 1987 are exempt from all local rent control ordinances for their first 30 years. After 30 years, they become subject to whatever local rent control ordinance exists in their municipality. As buildings from the late 1980s and early 1990s approach this milestone, many landlords are facing rent control for the first time.

Required Notice Periods

Proposed Statewide Cap (Bill A3289)

A proposed bill (A3289) in the 2024-2025 legislative session would establish a statewide cap on rent increases at 5% plus CPI, or 10%, whichever is lower, over a 12-month period. If passed, this would preempt any local ordinance that permits a higher increase. Landlords should monitor this bill's progress closely.

Stay Ahead of Municipal Caps

Because each of NJ's 117 rent-controlled municipalities operates under its own unique ordinance-some requiring annual registration and board appearances-a single portfolio spanning multiple towns demands meticulous, municipality-by-municipality compliance tracking. Landager maps your properties to their local rent cap, auto-calculating the maximum permissible increase.

Back to New Jersey OverviewPreview unavailable

Official Law Citation: New Jersey law requires a landlord to provide a Notice to Quit and a Notice of Rent Increase at least one full month before the new rent takes effect. (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.2)

How Landager Helps

Landager tracks lease terms, compliance rules, and late fee schedules - making it easy to stay compliant with New Jersey regulations.

Back to New Jersey Landlord-Tenant Laws OverviewPreview unavailable.