njrentcontrol

Lakewood rent control: maximum rent increase (2026)

Ocean County — Chapter 14, Rent Control. Full ordinance text ↗

Summary

Cap formula
6.5% flat annual increase where the landlord supplies heat, or 5% where the tenant pays for heat; parties may instead mutually agree to a two-year lease with a higher optional increase of 9.75% (landlord-supplied heat) or 7.5% (tenant-paid heat).
Frequency
once per year
Notice required
30 days — Written notice at least 30 days before increases take effect, detailing the calculations involved in computing the increase.
Who's covered
Buildings with 4 or more rental units
Exemptions
  • Motels, hotels, and boarding houses
  • Public housing
  • Newly constructed first-time rentals (after June 25, 1987, for 7 years)
  • First-time rental of existing units (7 years)
  • School dormitories
  • Owner-occupied buildings with 4 units or fewer
  • Non-profit corporate-owned housing
  • Government-subsidized units
  • Rehabilitated units that add 50% in value
  • new construction (30 yrs from certificate of occupancy, N.J.S.A. 2A:42-84.2)
Registration
Every multiple dwelling in the Township must be registered with the Township Clerk within 30 days, providing owner information, agent designation, unit count, and property location.
Surcharges
Property tax increases may be passed through proportionally based on tenant square footage, payable over 12 months. Landlords may apply to the Rent Control Board for additional increases covering major capital expenditures, unusual utility costs, or financial hardship, amortized appropriately.
Penalties
Landlords found guilty of willfully charging/receiving rent in excess of the ordinance are subject to a penalty under Chapter 1, §1-5; specific amount not stated in the retrieved text.
Status
active
Confidence
high
Last verified
2026-09-23

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Ordinance text

Landlords who supply tenants with heat are hereinafter permitted to raise rents on rental units governed by this section once a year at a flat rate increase of six and one half (6.5%) percent over the previous base rent permitted by this section or any prior ordinance except as otherwise hereinafter set forth. Landlords who do not supply tenants with heat are hereinafter permitted to raise rents on rental units governed by this section once a year at a flat rate increase of 5% over the previous base rent permitted by this section or any prior ordinance except as otherwise hereinafter set forth. [...] Should the landlord and tenant mutually agree at the inception of any rental period, the parties may enter into a two year lease agreement with rentals to be set at nine and three quarters (9.75%) percent over and above the prior year's rental for those tenancies where the landlord supplies heat and seven and one half (7.5%) percent over and above the prior year's rental in those tenancies where the landlord does not supply the heat.Chapter 14, Rent Control — https://ecode360.com/35458769

State survey entry

Increase limit
6.5% if landlord pays for heat 5% if tenant pays for heat Optional 2 year rental increase: 9.75% if landlord pays for heat 7.5% if tenant pays for heat
Units covered
4+
Exceptions
Exceptions(s) - Motels, hotels, boarding houses, public housing, newly constructed first-time rental (after 6/25/87, for 7 years), first-time rental existing units (7 years), school dorms, owner-occupied buildings with 4 units or less, non-profit corporate-owned, government subsidized units, rehabilitated units that add 50% in value

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

Open questions

Rent board

Rent Control Board · (732) 364-2500 · https://www.lakewoodnj.gov/section/departments

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