njrentcontrol

West Caldwell rent control: maximum rent increase (2026)

Essex County — Chapter 13, Rent Leveling (within Building and Housing chapter, § 13-4). Full ordinance text ↗

Summary

Cap formula
A flat 5.5% cap above the base rent, with a maximum of one such increase per 12-month period.
Frequency
maximum of 1 increase per 12 months
Notice required
15 days — A tenant challenging an excessive increase may apply to the Rent Leveling Board; the tenant must serve the landlord with the application notice by certified mail not less than 15 days in advance of the hearing date. The retrieved text did not state the number of days' advance notice a landlord must give before an increase itself takes effect.
Who's covered
Buildings with 2 or more rental units
Exemptions
  • Motels and hotels
  • 1-family dwellings
  • Owner-occupied 2- and 3-family dwellings
  • Units rented by nonprofits
  • First-time rentals (until re-rented)
  • new construction (30 yrs from certificate of occupancy, N.J.S.A. 2A:42-84.2)
Vacancy decontrol
Landlords may seek unlimited increases when a tenant vacates voluntarily, though only one such additional increase is allowed in any 12-month period. DCA confirms vacancy decontrol applies.
Surcharges
Capital improvement surcharges: tenant liability is limited to the same ratio of the total annual cost as the tenant's rental square footage bears to the total rental square footage. Hardship increases: a landlord whose current rentals are insufficient to provide a fair return may apply to the Rent Leveling Board, bearing the burden of proof.
Penalties
Violations are punishable by a fine not exceeding $1,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 90 days.
Status
active
Confidence
high
Last verified
2026-09-23

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Ordinance text

no landlord may demand, receive or collect any increase in rent for any housing space in excess of a maximum of 5 1/2% above the base rent.Chapter 13, Rent Leveling (within Building and Housing chapter, § 13-4) — https://ecode360.com/35357803?highlight=rent&searchId=19094580718428271#35357803

State survey entry

Increase limit
5.5%
Units covered
2+
Exceptions
Exception(s) - Motels, hotels, 1-family dwellings, owner-occupied 2- and 3-family dwellings, units rented by nonprofits, and first-time rentals (until re-rented). Vacancy Decontrol. Maximum of 1 increase per 12 months.

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

Open questions

Rent board

Rent Leveling Board · (973) 226-2303 · https://www.westcaldwell.com/

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