njrentcontrol

City of Orange rent control: maximum rent increase (2026)

Essex County — Rent Control; Rental Property Registration (chapter number not confirmed). Full ordinance text ↗

Summary

Cap formula
Maximum annual increase is 5% where the landlord pays for heat, 4% where the tenant pays heat, and 2% for a qualified senior tenant (identified on the lease) regardless of other occupants in a multi-tenant apartment.
Frequency
once per 12 months
Notice required
Landlords must provide written information stating the rent paid by all tenants who occupied the unit during the prior 12 months, the annual percentage increase sought, and the calculation reflecting the new rent, accompanied by a certification of substantial compliance with property maintenance codes.
Who's covered
Dwellings with 4 or more units
Exemptions
  • motels
  • hotels
  • housing with 3 or fewer units
  • owner-occupied 4-unit housing
  • income-based rentals
  • state or federally subsidized units
  • units rehabilitated under the Home Rental Rehabilitation Program administered by the City
  • units receiving Section 8 subsidies or federal vouchers
  • new construction (30 yrs from certificate of occupancy, N.J.S.A. 2A:42-84.2)
Vacancy decontrol
Landlords may establish new rents upon voluntary tenant vacation, aligned with HUD Fair Market Rental guidelines, contingent on filing proper documentation and obtaining tenant certification that the vacation was uncoerced.
Registration
All property owners must file rent rolls with the Office of Rent Leveling within 60 days and update filings annually by March 1.
Surcharges
Capital improvement surcharges cannot exceed 5% of the tenant's monthly rent at any one time; applications must be filed within one year of project completion.
Penalties
Violations are punishable, upon conviction, by a fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both.
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 that is greater than 5% per annum... for those tenants who supply their own heat, the increase shall be 4% per annum... For a qualified senior tenant, said landlord shall not seek or demand an increase in rent which exceeds 2% of the rent charged during the preceding twelve-month period.Rent Control; Rental Property Registration (chapter number not confirmed) — https://ecode360.com/34549023

State survey entry

Increase limit
5% if landlord pays for heat 4% if tenant pays heat. For a qualified senior tenant, said landlord shall not seek or demand an increase in rent which exceeds 2% of the rent charged during the preceding twelve-month period. In an apartment that contains multiple persons, the 2% cap shall only apply if a qualified senior tenant is identified on the lease as a tenant in the subject apartment.
Units covered
4+
Exceptions
Exception(s) - Motels, hotels, housing with 3 or fewer units, owner-occupied 4-unit housing, income-based rentals, state or federally subsidized units, units rehabilitated under the Home Rental Rehabilitation Program administered by the City, and units receiving Section 8 subsidies or federal vouchers. Vacancy Decontrol.

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

Rent board

Office of Rent Leveling · (973) 952-6100 · https://orangetwpnjcc.org/boards-commissions/rent-leveling-board/

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