New Jersey Rent Increase Laws

Last Updated: January 8, 2024 by Jessica Menefee

Does New Jersey Have Rent Control Laws?

New Jersey does not have statewide rent control laws limiting the amount that landlords request. However, state law allows local governments to establish local rent control laws.

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When Can a Landlord Raise Rent in New Jersey?

Landlords in New Jersey can raise the rent at any time, as long as they comply with the following:

• Wait until the end of the lease term (unless otherwise specified in the lease)
• Give reasonable notice
• Don’t break any local rent control laws
• Aren’t raising rent for discriminatory or retaliatory reasons

When Can’t a Landlord Raise Rent in New Jersey?

Landlords in New Jersey may not raise the rent if:

• It is during the middle of a lease’s fixed term (unless stated otherwise in the lease agreement).
• It is done in response to a protected tenant action, such as requesting repairs. This is known as “retaliation” [1].
• The increase is higher than what’s allowed under local rent control laws
• The increase is applied in a way that discriminates against one of the protected classes specified in the Fair Housing Act.

How Often Can Rent Be Increased in New Jersey?

By New Jersey state law, landlords can increase the rent as often as they wish, as long as sufficient notice is provided each time. However, many cities with local rent control ordinances have a limitation on the frequency of rent increases (e.g. once per year in Elizabeth) [2].

How Much Notice is Needed to Raise Rent in New Jersey?

New Jersey state law requires that landlords give 30 days’ notice [3] before increasing rent unless the lease specifies a longer period. The notice [4] must be sent by either:

• Hand-delivery to the tenant or a member of their family over 14 years old
• Certified mail
• Regular mail (if the certified letter is not claimed)

The increase notice letter must state that the notice ends the current lease and the tenant has the option to either accept a new lease at a higher rent or move out.

Cities with local rent control ordinances may require a longer period of notice, like Edison, where 60 days’ notice [5] is required.

How Much Can a Landlord Raise Rent in New Jersey?

By New Jersey state law, landlords can raise the rent by any reasonable amount.  There is no statewide limit or cap on the amount of a rent increase, but it must be reasonable [6].

Over 100 cities have enacted local limitations on rent increases, including:

• Atlantic City – Based on the Consumer Price Index
• Edison – No more than 5%
• Elizabeth – 3%, but no more than $20
• Jersey City – Based on Consumer Price Index, but no more than 4%
• Lakewood – 5% if the tenant pays for heating, 6.5% if the landlord pays for heating
• Newark – Based on the Consumer Price Index, but no more than 4%
• Paterson – 5%, but no more than 3.5% for seniors and disabled tenants

The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs provides a more comprehensive summary of rent control ordinances by city.