njrentcontrol

East Rutherford rent control: maximum rent increase (2026)

Bergen County — Chapter 224, Article I: Rent Control. Full ordinance text ↗

Summary

Cap formula
Rent may increase by at most 5.5% at lease expiration or termination of tenancy, no more than once every 12 months for periodic tenancies under a year; higher hardship or capital-improvement increases require Board approval (capital-improvement increases capped at 15% of the tenant's rent).
Frequency
once per 12 months
Notice required
Landlord must notify the tenant by certified mail of the rent-increase calculation; for hardship/capital-improvement appeals, notice must be posted in a conspicuous building location for at least 5 days before the Board hearing.
Who's covered
Multiple dwellings with 3 or more rental units
Exemptions
  • public housing
  • hotels, motels, guest houses
  • buildings already subject to state/federal rent control
  • buildings where up to 1/3 of occupied floor space is commercial in addition to one housing unit
  • newly constructed first-time rentals
  • new construction (30 yrs from certificate of occupancy, N.J.S.A. 2A:42-84.2)
Vacancy decontrol
Initial rent for a new tenant is not governed by the prior tenant's rent (decontrol applies to the initial rent only); subsequent increases remain controlled.
Surcharges
Capital-improvement/service surcharges approved by the Board, not exceeding 15% of current rent; hardship increases available when a landlord cannot meet mortgage/maintenance costs.
Penalties
Willful violation: fine of $500 and/or up to 90 days imprisonment; treble damages may also be sought.
Status
active
Confidence
high
Last verified
2026-09-23

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Ordinance text

no landlord may request or receive a percentage increase in rent which is greater than 5 1/2% over the previous rentalChapter 224, Article I: Rent Control — https://ecode360.com/9412584

State survey entry

Increase limit
5.5%. Hardship or capital improvement increases may be approved by the Rent Board, but capital improvement increases shall not exceed 15% of tenant's rent.
Units covered
3+
Exceptions
Exception(s) - Public housing, hotels, motels, established guest houses, buildings presently subject to rent control by the state of federal government, "building in which up to 1/3 of the occupied floor space is commercial and one housing unit," and newly constructed first-time rentals. Vacancy decontrol.

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

Open questions

Rent board

Rent Control Board · (201) 933-3444 · https://www.eastrutherfordnj.net/178/Rent-Control-Board

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