Woodbridge rent control: maximum rent increase (2026)
Middlesex County — Chapter 20, Rent Control. Full ordinance text ↗
Summary
- Cap formula
- A flat 5% cap on the existing base rent for covered units (generally buildings with more than 4 units); landlords may apply to the Rent Leveling Board for additional increases beyond the cap based on documented hardship, capital improvements, or increased operating costs.
- Frequency
- once per 12 months
- Notice required
- 60 days — Landlords must provide notice no later than 60 days prior to the date the increased rent is to be effective, detailing the calculations involved.
- Who's covered
- Buildings with more than 4 units (5+)
- Exemptions
- Buildings with 4 or fewer units
- new construction (30 yrs from certificate of occupancy, N.J.S.A. 2A:42-84.2)
- Vacancy decontrol
- When a unit becomes vacant after ordinance adoption, it is not restricted in its initial re-rental, but thereafter becomes subject to the chapter's provisions.
- Registration
- Landlords must provide the Township with certified yearly rent rolls, filed with the Township Clerk and the Rent Leveling Board on January 15, 1982 and every January 15 thereafter; the rent rolls must include both controlled and noncontrolled unit rentals (§20-13, "Certified Rent Rolls").
- Surcharges
- Capital improvement/service surcharges limited to 15% of the tenant's base rent, and cannot be imposed until the improvement or service has been completed or added. Tax surcharges calculated based on property tax increases above a 1977 baseline. Hardship increases: landlords may petition the Rent Leveling Board for relief if current rentals are claimed to be insufficient.
- Penalties
- Standard municipal penalties apply; in addition, a landlord found in violation of the chapter is not permitted to levy or collect any surcharge.
- Status
- active
- Confidence
- high
- Last verified
- 2026-09-23
Calculate your maximum increase
Ordinance text
no landlord shall request or receive a percentage increase in rent which is greater than five (5%) percent of the base rent for the previous twelve (12) month period.Chapter 20, Rent Control — https://ecode360.com/35043236?highlight=control&highlight=rent&highlight=rents&searchId=18030439280700646#35043236
State survey entry
- Increase limit
- Capped at 5% of the existing base rent for covered units (generally buildings with more than 4 units). Landlords to apply for additional increases beyond the cap through the Rent Leveling Board based on documented hardship, capital improvements, or increases in operating costs (such as taxes, utilities, or services).
- Units covered
- 5+
- Exceptions
- Applies to most rental units except buildings with 4 or fewer units (exempt). Vacancy Decontrol
Source: NJ Department of Community Affairs, 2026 Rent Control Survey — nj.gov
Open questions
- Exact fine/imprisonment amounts for standard municipal penalties were not stated in the retrieved excerpt (only the surcharge-forfeiture consequence was specified; §20-15(b) points to Chapter 1, §1-5 of the municipal code for the fine schedule, which was not retrieved).
Rent board
Rent Leveling Board · 732-634-4500 · https://www.twp.woodbridge.nj.us/324/Rent-Leveling-Board
Generate a rent increase notice
Fill in the tenant, unit, and rent details and get a printable, ordinance-cited rent increase notice for Woodbridge — $9, pay by card.
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