njrentcontrol

Wayne rent control: maximum rent increase (2026)

Passaic County — Chapter 145, Rent Control. Full ordinance text ↗

Maximum rent increase

100% of the CPI change

the percentage change in the CPI housing component for the New York region, using a quarterly comparison schedule keyed to the lease's expiration month (Aug-to-Aug, Nov-to-Nov, Feb-to-Feb, or May-to-May)

Latest 12-month CPI change: 4.34% (CPI-U, New York-Newark-Jersey City (NY-NJ-PA), all items, not seasonally adjusted, 2026-08 vs 2025-08) — source: BLS

This ordinance measures CPI over: Aug–Aug (leases expiring Jan–Mar); Nov–Nov (Apr–Jun); Feb–Feb (Jul–Sep); May–May (Oct–Dec), keyed to the lease's expiration month. Ordinances define their own CPI measurement window — the latest 12-month figure above may differ from the figure your ordinance requires.

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Summary

Cap formula
the percentage change in the CPI housing component for the New York region, using a quarterly comparison schedule keyed to the lease's expiration month (Aug-to-Aug, Nov-to-Nov, Feb-to-Feb, or May-to-May)
Frequency
once per lease term
Notice required
30 days — Landlords must provide written notice in duplicate, served on the tenant no later than 30 days prior to the effective date, on an approved Board form with details including complex name, tenant info, current rent, and proposed increase amount.
Who's covered
Dwellings with 4 or more units
Exemptions
  • motels, hotels, similar premises
  • public housing
  • mobile homes
  • housing with fewer than 4 units
  • first-time rentals (until re-rented)
  • new construction (30 yrs from certificate of occupancy, N.J.S.A. 2A:42-84.2)
Vacancy decontrol
Vacancy decontrol for units in multiple-unit dwellings (until re-rented): upon vacancy, landlords may set any rent for the first new tenancy, but any subsequent increase during that tenancy is governed by the ordinance's standard provisions.
Registration
Landlords must maintain a rent roll ledger for the prior 3 years listing rents charged for each housing space.
Surcharges
Tenants pay 50% of the total cost of capital improvements, spread over IRS depreciation guidelines, apportioned by square footage.
Penalties
Violators face penalties under Chapter 1, § 1-15 of the Township Code.
Status
active
Confidence
high
Last verified
2026-09-23

Ordinance text

At the expiration of a lease term, or at the expiration of a lease term extension, or at the termination of the lease of a periodic tenant, or at the end of each year of a multiyear lease, no landlord shall be entitled to request or receive an increase in either base rent or extraordinary charges from a tenant, with or without a written lease, greater than the percentage difference in the C.P.I. for a one-year period computed as follows: For leases or terms expiring during the months of January, February or March, reference shall be made to the C.P.I. for the preceding August as compared to the C.P.I. 12 months prior thereto. For leases or terms expiring during the months of April, May or June, reference shall be made to the C.P.I. for the preceding November as compared to the C.P.I. 12 months prior thereto. For leases or terms expiring during the months of July, August or September, reference shall be made to the C.P.I. for the preceding February as compared to the C.P.I. 12 months prior thereto. For leases or terms expiring during the months of October, November or December, reference shall be made to the C.P.I. for the preceding May as compared to the C.P.I. 12 months prior thereto.Chapter 145, Rent Control — https://ecode360.com/7672350

State survey entry

Increase limit
Percentage change in CPI: Aug-Aug for leases expiring in Jan, Feb, or March. Nov-Nov for leases expiring in April, May, or June. Feb-Feb for leases expiring in July, Aug, or Sept. May-May for leases expiring in Oct, Nov, or Dec.
Units covered
4+
Exceptions
Exception(s) - Motels, hotels, similar premises, public housing, mobile homes, housing with less than 4 units, and first-time rentals (until re-rented). Vacancy Decontrol for units in multiple-unit dwellings (until re-rented).

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

Lead-safe certification

Pre-1978 rentals here also need a lead-safe certificate (separate from rent control) — valid 3 years, per P.L.2024, c.74. See Wayne Township's lead-safe certification requirements →

Rent board

Rent Leveling Board · (973) 694-1800 · https://waynetownship.com/