Leonia rent control: maximum rent increase (2026)
Bergen County — Chapter 220, Rent Control. Full ordinance text ↗
Summary
- Cap formula
- The increase is the lesser of 5% or the CPI change (3 months before lease end vs. 3 months before lease start) for the Leonia region, but never less than 3%.
- Frequency
- once per 12 months
- Notice required
- 30 days — Landlord must give written notice at least 30 days before the increase's effective date, including the calculations used (base rent, percentage increase, and allowable dollar increase).
- Who's covered
- Multi-family dwellings with 3 or more units, including converted condominiums
- Exemptions
- one- and two-family homes
- motels, hotels, and similar dwellings
- housing units not previously subject to rent control
- new construction (30 yrs from certificate of occupancy, N.J.S.A. 2A:42-84.2)
- Vacancy decontrol
- Upon voluntary, uncoerced vacancy, landlord may set the new rent as it deems appropriate (decontrol lasts until re-rented).
- Registration
- Landlord must file a statement with the Borough Clerk within 30 days documenting landlord identity, property address, unit ID, current rent, lease dates, and (for increases) prior rent, new rent, and effective date.
- Penalties
- Fines up to $1,000 and/or up to 90 days imprisonment, plus forfeiture of all allowable increases on the property for one year.
- Status
- active
- Confidence
- high
- Last verified
- 2026-09-23
Calculate your maximum increase
Ordinance text
no landlord...may request or receive a percentage increase in rent which is greater than 5% or the percentage difference between the Consumer Price Index three months prior to the expiration or termination of the lease and three months prior to the commencement of the lease, whichever is less. ... in no event shall the increase be less than 3%.Chapter 220, Rent Control — https://ecode360.com/9252208
State survey entry
- Increase limit
- Maximum increase is lesser of 5% and the percentage difference between the CPI of the Leonia region 3 months prior to expiration/termination of lease and 3 months prior to commencement of lease. Minimum increase is 3%.
- Units covered
- 3+
- Exceptions
- Exceptions(s) - One- or two-family homes, motels, hotels and similar type dwellings, and housing units not previously subject to rent control
Vacancy Decontrol (until re-rented).
Source: NJ Department of Community Affairs, 2026 Rent Control Survey — nj.gov
Open questions
- Ordinance text retrieved did not detail specific surcharge types beyond defining 'base rent' as exclusive of surcharges; left surcharges as null rather than guessed.
Rent board
Rent Leveling Board · (201) 592-5752 · https://www.leonianj.gov/home
Generate a rent increase notice
Fill in the tenant, unit, and rent details and get a printable, ordinance-cited rent increase notice for Leonia — $9, pay by card.
Generate notice — $9