njrentcontrol

Metuchen rent control: maximum rent increase (2026)

Middlesex County — Chapter 147, Rent Control. Full ordinance text ↗

Summary

Cap formula
The lesser of 7.5% or the percentage difference in CPI between 90 days before lease expiration/termination and 90 days before the lease term began.
Frequency
Not on file — check the ordinance
Notice required
Landlord must notify the tenant by certified mail, registered mail (return receipt requested), or personal service of the calculations involved in computing the increase.
Who's covered
Residential rental units, 1 or more units
Exemptions
  • motels, hotels, similar premises
  • owner-occupied dwellings with 3 units or less
  • new construction (30 yrs from certificate of occupancy, N.J.S.A. 2A:42-84.2)
Vacancy decontrol
Upon voluntary vacation, the landlord may charge market rate, provided a written statement signed by the vacating tenant and a landlord affidavit certifying no harassment or pressure to vacate are filed with the Board.
Registration
All rental units must be registered annually by April 1 with the Borough Clerk and Rent Stabilization Board, including property address, unit count, rooms per unit, current rent, and rent history.
Surcharges
Tax surcharges, hardship surcharges, and capital improvement charges are permitted under Board-approved formulas.
Penalties
Willful violations, including material misstatements in required notices, are punishable in Municipal Court.
Status
active
Confidence
high
Last verified
2026-09-23

Calculate your maximum increase

This ordinance's CPI series isn't on file — confirm which index your town uses. For reference, latest 12-month CPI change — NY-NJ: 4.34% (2026-08 vs 2025-08) · Philadelphia: 4.19% (2026-08 vs 2025-08) (source: BLS).

This ordinance measures CPI over: 90 days prior to lease expiration/termination vs. 90 days prior to lease term commencement. Ordinances define their own CPI measurement window — the latest 12-month figure above may differ from the figure your ordinance requires.

Enter your current rent to calculate.

Ordinance text

The percentage difference between the consumer price index 90 days prior to the expiration or termination of the lease and the consumer price index 90 days prior to the date on which the term of the existing tenant commenced. Seven and one-half percent of the rent in effect under such lease at the expiration thereof.Chapter 147, Rent Control — https://ecode360.com/13501735

State survey entry

Increase limit
Lesser of 7.5% and the percentage difference of the CPI 90 days prior to expiration/termination of lease and 90 days prior to lease term commencement.
Units covered
1+
Exceptions
Exception(s) - Motels, hotels, similar premises, owner-occupied dwellings with 3 units or less. Vacancy Decontrol.

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

Rent board

Rent Stabilization Board · (732) 632-8509 · https://www.metuchennj.org/

Generate a rent increase notice

Fill in the tenant, unit, and rent details and get a printable, ordinance-cited rent increase notice for Metuchen — $9, pay by card.

Generate notice — $9