Irvington rent control: maximum rent increase (2026)
Essex County — Chapter 472, Rent Control. Full ordinance text ↗
Summary
- Cap formula
- Standard annual increase capped at 4% of the prior year's rent where the landlord supplies heat, or 3% where the landlord does not supply heat; tenants who are heads of household age 65 or older are limited to a 2% increase regardless of who pays for heat.
- Frequency
- once per 12 months
- Notice required
- 60 days — Landlord must give 60 days' written notice to tenants by any reasonable means; if not hand-delivered, a signed receipt must be obtained from the tenant or representative, or, if mailed by non-certified means, the landlord must certify in writing that the notice was mailed.
- Who's covered
- Dwellings with 3 or more units
- Exemptions
- motels, hotels, similar dwellings
- dwellings of 2 units or less
- owner-occupied 3- and 4-unit dwellings
- dwellings subject to state or federal rent control/stabilization
- dwellings developed under a general development plan and redevelopment agreement
- new construction (30 yrs from certificate of occupancy, N.J.S.A. 2A:42-84.2)
- Vacancy decontrol
- The chapter prohibits vacancy decontrol; rent-controlled units remain subject to the chapter's limits upon vacancy (no decontrol upon turnover), per the retrieved ordinance excerpt.
- Registration
- Registration filing window is between the first Monday in January and the first Friday in March; late-filing penalties range from $300-$6,000 depending on unit count and filing period; required documents include a Certificate of Housing Compliance and habitability certificates.
- Surcharges
- Capital-improvement surcharge may not exceed 15% of the tenant's base rent (application fee $75/unit); hardship-relief applications require the landlord to prove inability to earn a fair return (application fee $50/unit).
- Penalties
- Fines may be levied on a daily basis for unbundling violations; overcharge refunds are available retroactive to two years from the date of complaint; registration non-compliance carries fines of $300-$6,000 per property.
- Status
- active
- Confidence
- medium
- Last verified
- 2026-09-23
Calculate your maximum increase
Ordinance text
Where the landlord supplies heat to the dwelling unit, the increase in rent shall not exceed 4% of the prior year's rent. ... Where the landlord does not supply heat to the dwelling unit, the increase in rent shall not exceed 3% of the prior year's rent. ... An individual age 65 or older...shall be limited to a 2% increase annually regardless of whether the landlord provides heat to the unit.Chapter 472, Rent Control — https://ecode360.com/30526708
State survey entry
- Increase limit
- 4% if landlord supplies heat
3% if tenant pays heat. Seniors 2% max
- Units covered
- 3+
- Exceptions
- Exception(s) - Motels, hotels, similar dwellings, dwellings of 2 units or less, owner-occupied 3- and 4-unit dwellings, dwellings subject to state or federal rent control/stabilization, and dwellings developed pursuant and subject to a general development plan and redevelopment agreement.
Vacancy Decontrol (until re-rented).
Source: NJ Department of Community Affairs, 2026 Rent Control Survey — nj.gov
Open questions
- The DCA survey lists 'Vacancy Decontrol (until re-rented)' as an exception, but the retrieved ordinance excerpt states vacancy decontrol is not applicable/is prohibited under this chapter (units remain regulated after turnover). This is a real conflict; the ordinance (more recently amended, 3/9/2026) controls, but this should be re-confirmed directly against the current chapter text given the practical significance for landlords and tenants.
Rent board
Rent Leveling Board · (973) 399-6761 · https://irvingtonnj.gov/
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