njrentcontrol

Passaic rent control: maximum rent increase (2026)

Passaic County — Chapter 231, Rent Stabilization. Full ordinance text ↗

Summary

Cap formula
Under the 2025 rewrite of the stabilization ordinance (§231-23), rent increases are capped at a flat 3% of existing rent; a separate itemized fee for the tenant's pro rata share of property tax increases may be added on top of the 3% cap.
Frequency
once per 12 months
Notice required
30 days — Written notice to the tenant at least 30 days prior to the effective date of an increase, including itemized charges, previous rent, effective date, and legal-authority citation, plus a certification of registration compliance and substantial compliance with the Property Maintenance Code.
Who's covered
Buildings with 2 or more units
Exemptions
  • multiple-dwelling first-time rentals
  • motels, hotels
  • 1-family house
  • owner-occupied 2-family house
  • a single condo/co-op unit if the owner doesn't own other units in the same complex (except the unit occupied by the owner)
  • rooms rented by nonprofits
  • licensed rooming and boarding house units
  • newly constructed rentals
  • units renting below $75/room where heat is paid by landlord
  • units renting below $60/room where heat is paid by tenant
  • new construction (30 yrs from certificate of occupancy, N.J.S.A. 2A:42-84.2)
Vacancy decontrol
Full vacancy decontrol: the rent-stabilization provisions do not apply to any dwelling unit that becomes vacant after the effective date of the vacancy-decontrol section (§231-2B).
Registration
Annual tenant registrations must be submitted to the Rent Leveling Board; no rent increase is permissible unless the landlord has complied with this registration requirement.
Surcharges
Property tax pass-through: landlord may pass 100% of a municipal property tax increase to tenants, itemized as an admissible fee over and above the 3% maximum. Senior/low-income units (occupant 65+, household income <= $50,000, no more than 2 occupants): increase capped at $25/month per the DCA survey (not independently re-confirmed against the post-2025 amended code).
Penalties
Fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment not exceeding 90 days, or both.
Status
active
Confidence
medium
Last verified
2026-09-23

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Ordinance text

[Rent increases are] restricted to a maximum of 3% plus a fee derived from any pro rata share of property tax increases.Chapter 231, Rent Stabilization — https://ecode360.com/8638096

State survey entry

Increase limit
Percentage increase of CPI over most recent 12 month period. Capped at 6% plus a property tax increase fee. Maximum increase of $25 per month if a dwelling unit is occupied by no more than 2 individuals, with at least on being 65 years of age or older; and the total annual income of the 65+ occupants does not exceed $50,000.
Units covered
2+
Exceptions
Exception(s) - Multiple-dwelling first-time rentals, motels, hotels, 1-family house, owner-occupied 2-family house, a single condo or cooperative unit if the owner doesn't own any other such units within the same complex/building (except a single unit occupied by owner), rooms rented by non-profits, licensed rooming and boarding house units. newly constructed rentals, units where rent is below $75 per room when heat is paid by landlord, and units where rent is below $60 per room where heat is paid by tenant. Vacancy Decontrol.

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

Open questions

Rent board

Rent Leveling Board · (973) 833-8610 · https://www.cityofpassaic.com/512/Rent-Leveling

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