Nutley rent control: maximum rent increase (2026)
Essex County — Chapter 532, Rent Control. Full ordinance text ↗
Summary
- Cap formula
- Standard annual increase is 5% of base rent (4% if the tenant pays for heat), prorated for periods under 12 months by multiplying 0.41667 by the number of months elapsed; hardship increases are separately capped at 15% per occurrence.
- Frequency
- once per 12 months
- Notice required
- Landlord must notify the tenant by certified mail (or obtain a signed receipt) of the increase calculation; for hardship applications, the tenant must receive written notice of the hearing date, amount sought, and right to be heard at least 10 days prior.
- Who's covered
- Multiple dwellings with 4 or more units
- Exemptions
- hotel/motel transient lodgings
- properties exempt under N.J.S.A. 2A:42-84.2 (new construction), which must still report vacancy information to the Board
- 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 rent as deemed appropriate; the unit becomes subject to standard rent control again once re-rented.
- Registration
- Multiple-dwelling owners must file annual statements with the Rent Leveling Board by December 31 listing unit details and current rents; post-increase filings due within 30 days with old rent, new rent, and effective date.
- Surcharges
- Capital-improvement surcharge up to an additional 10%, amortized over the improvement's useful life per IRS guidelines; combined with hardship relief, total increases may not exceed 15% annually.
- Penalties
- Willful violation: fine up to $500 and/or up to 90 days imprisonment (multi-unit violations counted separately); non-compliance with certificate-of-occupancy requirements: $100/day per violation.
- Status
- active
- Confidence
- high
- Last verified
- 2026-09-23
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Ordinance text
At an anniversary date, a landlord may claim an increase in basic rent. The allowable percentage increase in basic rent shall be not greater than a percentage increase in rent equal to the percentage obtained by multiplying 0.41667 by the number of months elapsed between the anniversary date and the immediately prior anniversary date percent (i.e., 5% for a period of 12 months). In cases where the tenant pays the expenses for heat, the allowable percentage increase shall be reduced by 20%, (i.e., 4% for a period of 12 months).Chapter 532, Rent Control — https://ecode360.com/12133328
State survey entry
- Increase limit
- No greater than 4% of base rent if tenant pays heat and 5% if landlord pays heat in a period of 12 months. (For periods less than 12 months, multiply the number of months elapsed by 0.41667 if landlord pays heat and 20% less if tenant pays heat). Hardship or capital improvement increases may be approved, but no increase in rent shall exceed 15% of the present rent at one time.
- Units covered
- 4+
- Exceptions
- Exception(s) - First-time rentals of multiple-dwelling housing space until re-rented, motels, hotels, and similar transient establishments.
Vacancy Decontrol (until re-rented).
Source: NJ Department of Community Affairs, 2026 Rent Control Survey — nj.gov
Rent board
Rent Leveling Board · (973) 284-4951 · https://www.nutleynj.org/rent-leveling-board
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