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Rent Control

The office of Rent Control assists landlords and tenants in understating the impact the Municipal Rent Control Ordinance of the City of Newark, may have on their properties and apartments. Technical assistance is provided on a wide variety of rental issues which cover such matters as: which apartments are subject to local rent control laws; what is the legal base rent; what rent increases the law permits; tax surcharges ;water/sewer surcharges; major new improvement surcharges; hardship increases; and annual registration requirements. Files on all residential properties are maintained for public inspection if owners and/or tenants have questions regarding a particular property.

WHAT WE DO AND DON’T DO

The Newark Rent Ordinance regulates rents for certain residential rental units in Newark, New Jersey. There is no commercial rent control in Newark.

The Rent Control Board’s primary function is to conduct hearings and mediation of tenant and landlord petitions regarding the adjustment of rents under the City’s rent control laws.

The Rent Control Board cannot arbitrate matters that are not part of the Title 19,Chapter 2, Rent Control Regulations, Rent Control Board, of the Revised General Ordinances of the City of Newark. For example, we do not have jurisdiction to adjudicate alleged breaches of a rental agreement, which must be decided in court. The Rent Control Board also cannot hear cases concerning issues of discrimination, harassment or retaliation, as such matters are outside of our jurisdiction. Please contact the Department of Community Affairs regarding these issues.

The Rent Control Board provides counseling information on subjects that are covered by the Rent Ordinance ONLY.Please understand that our staff CANNOT give legal advice and they are instructed to let you know when your question is one that should properly be answered by a lawyer.

While we cannot refer you to individual attorneys, our staff will be glad to direct you to the appropriate resources for advice and assistance. A list of these resources is available through the referral listing on our website. Please note that you do not need a lawyer to file a petition at the Rent Control Office.

Due to high demand and a limited number of staff, there can sometimes be delays in speaking with a representative. It is helpful if you have your questions written down before you speak with a representative.

MEO - Rescinding Moratorium on Rent Increase Effective Monday, September 18, 2023

NEWARK RENT CONTROL BOARD VIRTUAL PUBLIC HEARING SEPT 10th, 2024 6:00 PM

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1.The Rent Control Ordinance was amended on September 05, 2017. Please see Rent Control Certified Ordinance 6PSF-(a) 090517 (Click here)

2. Office of Rent Control Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ (Click Here)

3.Executive Order MEO-20-0004- (Click here)

4. Rent Registration Form – (Click here)

5. Rent Control Board Hearing Schedule for 2024 (Click Here)

ATTENTION TENANTS & LANDLORDS

The rents for any housing space shall not be increased more than the percentages stated below in any consecutive twelve (12) month period irrespective of the number of different tenants occupying the housing space during the twelve (12) month period, any change of ownership of the Landlord or vacancy of the housing space. This provision does not preclude a tenant from challenging the legality of the rent being charged immediately prior to an increase authorized by the Rent Control Ordinance.

For example, if the legal base rent is currently $1000.00 the rent is increased in January 2015 the permissible rent increase is = 1.3%-- or [$1000 x 1.3% =$13]. Rent cannot be raised if the apartment is not currently registered with the Office of Rent Control.

Please be advised that Mayor Ras J. Baraka declared a State of Emergency in the City of Newark; thereafter signing Executive Order MEO-20-0004 declaring a moratorium on all rent increases for rent-controlled units.

In light of the financial hardships and to complement the state-mandated moratorium on eviction proceeding issued by the State of New Jersey with Executive Order 106, the City has determined the regulation, control and stability or rents is best served by placing an immediate, temporary moratorium on all rent increases until no later than two (2) months following the end of the State of Emergency.

The moratorium is retroactive to April 1, 2020 and shall remain in effect throughout the State of Emergency declaration in the City of Newark. In addition, the moratorium shall remain in effect for a period of two (2) months following the end of the State of Emergency declaration in the City of Newark as it relates to COVID-19.

Please be advised that on March 4, 2022 and pursuant to Executive Order 292, Governor Murphy rescinded the Public Health Emergency but has never terminated the New Jersey State of Emergency as it relates to COVID-19.

You can find the associated Executive Order here: https://www.nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-292.pdf

Section 2. The State of Emergency declared in Executive Order No. 103 (2020) and continued in Executive Order No. 280 (2022) pursuant to the Disaster Control Act, N.J.S.A. App. A:9-33 et seq., continues to exist in the State of New Jersey.

This means that the temporary moratorium on rent increases MEO-20-0004 is contingent on the Governor lifting of the State of Emergency.

After which only properties in compliance which the registration requirements will be allowed increases in accordance to the CPI-U%.

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