Bergenfield rent control: maximum rent increase (2026)
Bergen County — Chapter 240, Rent Control. Full ordinance text ↗
Summary
- Cap formula
- A flat 4% increase in base rent is allowed at lease expiration (or annually on the tenancy anniversary for month-to-month tenants).
- Frequency
- once per 12 months
- Notice required
- Landlord must notify the tenant by certified mail of the calculations involved in computing the increase, including the current rent, the allowable percentage increase, and the allowable rental increase, within 20 days of implementation.
- Who's covered
- 2-family dwellings where the owner is not resident, and buildings with 3 or more units
- Exemptions
- motels, hotels, and similar dwellings
- housing units of 2 units or less (owner-resident)
- first-time rented units for the initial rent period
- new construction (30 yrs from certificate of occupancy, N.J.S.A. 2A:42-84.2)
- Vacancy decontrol
- Upon voluntary vacancy, the landlord may fix the rent for the new tenant's initial rental without rent-control restriction; subsequent increases must comply with standard controls.
- Registration
- Landlords must file monthly reports, no later than the 15th day of each month, documenting occupancy changes and rent modifications.
- Surcharges
- Hardship surcharge up to 5% of base rent; major capital improvement surcharge up to 5% of annual base rent; property tax surcharge up to 5% of base rent (municipal tax increases only); all surcharges combined capped at 15% of base rent.
- Penalties
- Willful violations are punishable by a fine of not more than $2,000; a violation affecting more than one leasehold is a separate violation for each leasehold. Actions must commence within 18 months after the cause of action accrued.
- Status
- active
- Confidence
- high
- Last verified
- 2026-09-23
Calculate your maximum increase
Ordinance text
At the expiration of a lease, a landlord may be allowed a 4% increase in base rent.Chapter 240, Rent Control — https://ecode360.com/8944425
State survey entry
- Increase limit
- No more than 4%
- Units covered
- 2 family dwellings where the owner is not resident, 3+
- Exceptions
- Exception(s) - Motels, hotels, and similar type dwellings, housing units of 2 units or less, and first-time rented units for the initial rent period. Vacancy Decontrol.
Source: NJ Department of Community Affairs, 2026 Rent Control Survey — nj.gov
Rent board
Rent Leveling Board · (201) 387-4055 ext- 4151 · https://bergenfield.com/boards/rent-leveling-board
Generate a rent increase notice
Fill in the tenant, unit, and rent details and get a printable, ordinance-cited rent increase notice for Bergenfield — $9, pay by card.
Generate notice — $9