Fair Lawn rent control: maximum rent increase (2026)
Bergen County — Chapter 177, Rent Control. Full ordinance text ↗
Summary
- Cap formula
- the lesser of 4% of the current rent or the percentage increase in the CPI for the New York–northeastern New Jersey region
- Frequency
- once per 12 months
- Notice required
- Landlords must provide written notice via certified mail or personal service stating the base rent, the calculation method (4% or CPI), and previous Board-approved increases; hardship applicants must notify tenants within 10 days of filing.
- Who's covered
- All residential rental units (1 or more)
- Exemptions
- owner-occupied housing with 2 units or less
- newly constructed units rented for the first time
- new construction (30 yrs from certificate of occupancy, N.J.S.A. 2A:42-84.2)
- Vacancy decontrol
- Upon unit turnover, landlords may charge a one-time increase capped at 10% of the maximum rent last charged for the unit, limited to one such increase per 12-month period; capital-improvement-based decontrol is available when 15% of property value is invested in Board-approved improvements.
- Registration
- Landlords must file the rent roll in effect as of July 1, 1982 with the Board and submit updated rent lists by January 31 and July 31 annually.
- Surcharges
- Hardship increases available when net operating expenses exceed 60% of gross income; capital-improvement-based decontrol available when 15% of property value is invested in Board-approved improvements.
- Penalties
- Fines: first offense up to $250; second offense $100–$350; third and subsequent offenses $250–$500 or up to 90 days' imprisonment.
- Status
- active
- Confidence
- high
- Last verified
- 2026-09-23
Calculate your maximum increase
Ordinance text
4% of the current rent or the percentage increase of the Consumer Price Index, whichever is less.Chapter 177, Rent Control — https://ecode360.com/10054997
State survey entry
- Increase limit
- 4% or percentage increase of the CPI for NY-Northeast NJ, whichever less. On vacancy of a housing unit, no landlord may request or receive a new rental for said housing unit in excess of 10% of the maximum rent last charged for said housing unit, and only one increase in any 12-month period permitted. Hardship or capital improvement increases may be approved by Board.
- Units covered
- 1+
- Exceptions
- Exception(s) - Owner-occupied housing with 2 units or less, newly constructed units rented for the first time. Vacancy Decontrol with capital investment requirements.
Source: NJ Department of Community Affairs, 2026 Rent Control Survey — nj.gov
Rent board
Rent Leveling Board · (201) 564-6152 · https://fairlawn.org/index.asp?SEC=8009C1DB-9BE4-418C-A79A-271BD3B66783
Generate a rent increase notice
Fill in the tenant, unit, and rent details and get a printable, ordinance-cited rent increase notice for Fair Lawn — $9, pay by card.
Generate notice — $9