North Plainfield rent control: maximum rent increase (2026)
Somerset County — Chapter 12, Rent Stabilization. Full ordinance text ↗
Summary
- Cap formula
- Maximum increase on the 'base rent component' (excluding tax, sewer, and trash-removal components) is 4% if the tenant pays for heat, or 5% if the landlord supplies heat; increases limited to once per 12 months absent Board authorization.
- Frequency
- once per 12 months
- Notice required
- 30 days — Landlord must notify the tenant in writing, by personal service or certified mail, of the calculations involved in computing the increase. For initial-occupancy-based applications, the Board will not entertain a landlord's application until the landlord has, at least 30 days prior to filing, provided tenants copies of required documents.
- Who's covered
- Residential rental units, 1 or more units, except owner-occupied premises with not more than two rental units
- Exemptions
- first-time rentals until re-rented
- hotels, motels and similar transient rental uses
- owner-occupied premises with not more than two rental units
- new construction (30 yrs from certificate of occupancy, N.J.S.A. 2A:42-84.2)
- Vacancy decontrol
- Vacancy decontrol for dwellings of more than 10 units, until re-rented; dwellings of fewer than 11 units become exempt from rent control following a vacancy.
- Surcharges
- Surcharges (e.g., for capital improvements or additional services) may not exceed 15% of the tenant's rent.
- Status
- active
- Confidence
- high
- Last verified
- 2026-09-23
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Ordinance text
No landlord may request or receive an increase in rent greater than 4% of the Base Rent Component in the event the landlord does not supply heat for the housing space and 5% of the Base Rent Component in the event the landlord does supply heat for the housing space. [...] No landlord may request or receive a rental increase for housing space more often than once in any 12 month period unless such increase is authorized by the Rent Stabilization Board.Chapter 12, Rent Stabilization — https://ecode360.com/35425918
State survey entry
- Increase limit
- No greater than 4% of "base rent component" if tenant pays heat and 5% if landlord pays heat. ("Base rent component" does not include applicable tax component, sewer charge component, or trash removal component). Hardship or capital improvement increases may be approved.
- Units covered
- 1+
- Exceptions
- Exception(s) - First-time rentals until re-rented, hotels, motels and similar transient rental uses. Does not apply to owner-occupied premises with not more than two rental units.
Vacancy Decontrol for dwellings of more than 10 units until re-rented. Dwellings of less than 11 units shall become exempt thereafter following vacancy.
Source: NJ Department of Community Affairs, 2026 Rent Control Survey — nj.gov
Open questions
- Last-amendment date could not be confirmed beyond a reference to 'Ord. #741-I-87-32' with no date given; registration requirements and exact penalty amounts could not be verified and are left null.
Rent board
Rent Stabilization Board · (908) 769-2900 · https://northplainfieldnj.gov/boards/rent
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