njrentcontrol

Morristown rent control: maximum rent increase (2026)

Morris County — Chapter 14 (Ch. XIV), Rent Control. Full ordinance text ↗

Summary

Cap formula
The allowable increase is the lesser of the percentage change in the RPI or the percentage change in the CPI, each measured from August of the year prior to lease expiration/termination to the preceding August.
Frequency
once per 12 months (at lease expiration/tenancy termination)
Notice required
60 days — Landlords seeking a rent increase or surcharge must give written notice to both the tenant and the Division of Rent Leveling not less than 60 days before the effective date; new tenants must be supplied with the current Annual Rent Increase form.
Who's covered
All residential rental units (1 or more)
Exemptions
  • federally assisted housing owned and managed by the Town's Housing Authority
  • motels, hotels
  • licensed rooming and boarding houses
  • owner-occupied dwellings with 4 units or less
  • dwellings constructed on or after 1/1/1981
  • new construction (30 yrs from certificate of occupancy, N.J.S.A. 2A:42-84.2)
Vacancy decontrol
Vacancy decontrol (until re-rented); landlords may negotiate new rents with incoming tenants upon vacancy, subject to anti-harassment provisions.
Registration
Every nonexempt dwelling unit must be individually registered by the landlord with the Division of Rent Leveling once every 12 months, on forms provided by the Division; the annual registration fee is $30.
Surcharges
Capital improvement surcharge capped at 10% per improvement / 15% aggregate of base rent; hardship surcharge available when operating expenses exceed 60% of gross income; sewer surcharge up to 50% of annual sewer bills allocated by square footage; off-street parking surcharge capped at $50/month (lots) or $90/month (garages), as of 2005.
Penalties
Violations are prosecutable in Municipal Court, with each dwelling unit constituting a separate violation.
Status
active
Confidence
high
Last verified
2026-09-23

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Ordinance text

The percentage difference between the Price Index published for the month of August of the year prior to the expiration date of the lease or termination of the tenancy and the Price Index for the prior August, using the RPI or the CPI, whichever is less.Chapter 14 (Ch. XIV), Rent Control — https://www.townofmorristown.org/vertical/sites/%7B0813EA2E-B627-4F82-BBB0-DDEE646947B5%7D/uploads/Rent_Control_Ordinance_Town_of_Morristown.pdf

State survey entry

Increase limit
Otherwise, lesser of CPI and RPI percentage differences between August of year prior to the expiration date of the lease or termination of tenancy and the prior August. RPI defined as "Residential Rents of the Housing Component of the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers of New York - Northeastern New Jersey," and CPI defined as "Consumer Price Index for all urban Consumers of New York - Northern New Jersey - Long Island - New York - New Jersey - Connecticut, all items."
Units covered
1+
Exceptions
Exception(s) - Federally assisted housing owned and managed by Town's Housing Authority, motels, hotels, licensed rooming and boarding houses, owner-occupied dwellings containing 4 units or less, and dwellings constructed on or after 1/1/81. Vacancy Decontrol (until re-rented).

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

Rent board

Rent Leveling Department · (973) 292-6709 · https://www.townofmorristown.org/rentleveling

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