njrentcontrol

Trenton rent control: maximum rent increase (2026)

Mercer County — Chapter 222, Rent Control. Full ordinance text ↗

Summary

Cap formula
A flat 4% increase for a regular tenant, or 2% for a senior citizen or disabled tenant, no more than once every 12 months.
Frequency
once per 12 months
Notice required
60 days — Rent increases are only permitted at the time of lease renewal or the period in which rents are paid, and must be disclosed to the tenant in writing at least 60 days prior to the increase or the lease expiration date, whichever is earlier; landlord must serve notice on the record tenant by certified mail, return receipt requested.
Who's covered
Housing space of 1 or more units
Exemptions
  • Owner-occupied 1- and 2-family dwellings
  • Public or other federally subsidized housing
  • Motels, hotels, similar premises
  • Any portion of a building rented commercially
  • Newly constructed or converted housing rented for the first time (until re-rented)
  • new construction (30 yrs from certificate of occupancy, N.J.S.A. 2A:42-84.2)
Vacancy decontrol
Upon a previously occupied unit being vacated, the landlord may increase the rent for the new tenant without application to the Board; however, where the new tenant's rent exceeds the last rent charged the previous tenant by more than 25%, the tenant may seek a reduction, which the Board will grant unless the landlord can demonstrate the increase is justified under the chapter or that the previous tenancy was not an arms-length business relationship.
Registration
Every landlord must file a certificate of registration (landlord identity registration) with the City Clerk (or designated official, or the DCA Bureau of Housing Inspection for multiple dwellings) at the creation of a new tenancy, and must file an amended certificate within 20 days of any change in the required information ($10 fee for ownership changes).
Surcharges
Capital improvement/service improvement increases available: cost prorated among benefiting tenants by dividing 1/12 of the annual improvement cost by the total rent roll of affected units; landlord must notify tenants at least 60 days before the increase's effective date, and tenants may request a hearing within 30 days of notice. Hardship increases also available for substantial hardship beyond the landlord's control.
Penalties
A willful violation of any provision of the chapter, including willful filing of a material misstatement of fact or violating a Board order, is punishable as provided in Chapter 1, Article III, General Penalty; a violation affecting more than one leasehold is a separate violation as to each leasehold. Separately, landlord-identity-registration violations carry a fine not exceeding $1,000 per violation, with repeat violations potentially resulting in denial of a certificate of occupancy.
Status
active
Confidence
high
Last verified
2026-09-23

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Ordinance text

At the expiration or termination of a formal lease or a periodic tenancy, no landlord may receive a percentage increase in rent for that housing space from a regular tenant which is greater than four 4%, and 2% for a senior citizen tenant or disabled tenant For a periodic tenant whose base sum shall be less than one year, such tenant shall not be caused to pay any increase in any rent more than once during any twelve-month period.Chapter 222, Rent Control — https://ecode360.com/9132503

State survey entry

Increase limit
4% no more than every 12 months, 2% for a senior citizen tenant or disabled tenant
Units covered
1+
Exceptions
Exception(s) - Owner-occupied 1- and 2-family dwellings, public or other federally subsidized housing, motels, hotels, similar premises, any portion of a building rented commercially, newly constructed or converted housing rented for the first time (until re-rented). Vacancy Decontrol. 25% maximum increase at decontrol unless the landlord can demonstrate that the rent increase is justified under the provisions of the rent control ordinance, or can demonstrate that the previous tenancy was not based on an arms-length business relationship.

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

Rent board

Rent Stabilization Board · (609) 989-3507 · https://www.trentonnj.org/501/Rent-Stabilization-Board

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