njrentcontrol

Bridgeton rent control: maximum rent increase (2026)

Cumberland County — Chapter 277, Article V: Rent Leveling Regulations. Full ordinance text ↗

Summary

Cap formula
The increase equals the percentage change in the Price Index measured from 16 months to 4 months before lease termination, capped at 20% in any one year; landlords may separately apply to the Rent Leveling Board for a hardship increase above CPI.
Frequency
once per 12 months
Notice required
60 days — Landlord must give written notice of the increase at least 60 days prior to the effective date, including calculations, price indices used, prior rent, and proof of substantial compliance.
Who's covered
All rental dwelling units
Exemptions
  • motels, hotels
  • newly constructed buildings (with limits)
  • student housing
  • owner-occupied dwellings (max 2 units occupied by the owner 6+ months per year)
  • licensed rooming/boarding homes
  • group homes
  • emergency shelters
  • completely vacant buildings (must register before re-renting)
  • affordability-restricted units
  • institutional facilities
  • new construction (30 yrs from certificate of occupancy, N.J.S.A. 2A:42-84.2)
Vacancy decontrol
When a tenant voluntarily vacates, or a tenancy ends by court order, the rent is decontrolled and may be raised without regard to the article's limitations; the new rent must be reported within 30 days, and a property that received a hardship increase may not use vacancy decontrol for 3 years.
Registration
All landlords must file an initial registration statement by March 1, 2026, then annually, including owner contact information, property details, tenant information, lease terms, base rent, and mandatory fees.
Surcharges
Capital-improvement surcharges require Rent Leveling Board approval and may not exceed 15% of the tenant's rent; the Board evaluates whether the improvement benefits tenants' quality of life, convenience, or security.
Penalties
Upon conviction, a violation is punishable by a fine not to exceed $2,000, imprisonment not to exceed 90 days, community service not exceeding 90 days, or any combination thereof.
Status
active
Confidence
high
Last verified
2026-09-23

Calculate your maximum increase

This ordinance's CPI series isn't on file — confirm which index your town uses. For reference, latest 12-month CPI change — NY-NJ: 4.34% (2026-08 vs 2025-08) · Philadelphia: 4.19% (2026-08 vs 2025-08) (source: BLS).

This ordinance measures CPI over: Price Index published in the fourth month prior to the month in which the lease or periodic tenancy terminates, over the Price Index published in the 16th month prior to the month of termination. Ordinances define their own CPI measurement window — the latest 12-month figure above may differ from the figure your ordinance requires.

Enter your current rent to calculate.

Ordinance text

the percentage increase, if any, in the Price Index published in the fourth month prior to the month in which the lease or periodic tenancy terminates over the Price Index published in the 16th month prior to the month of termination. ... The Rent Leveling Board shall not grant increases exceeding 20% in any one year notwithstanding any other provisions of this article.Chapter 277, Article V: Rent Leveling Regulations — https://ecode360.com/48626525

State survey entry

Increase limit
Annual growth in CPI. Landlords can apply for a hardship appeal increase above CPI.
Units covered
All rental dwelling units
Exceptions
Vacancy decontrol.

Source: NJ Department of Community Affairs, 2026 Rent Control Survey — nj.gov

Open questions

Rent board

Rent Leveling Board · (856) 455-3230 · http://www.cityofbridgetonnj.gov/

Generate a rent increase notice

Fill in the tenant, unit, and rent details and get a printable, ordinance-cited rent increase notice for Bridgeton — $9, pay by card.

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