General information, not legal advice. Landlord-tenant rules change, and cities and counties can add their own. Check the current statute and local ordinances, and talk to a licensed attorney before you act.
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The short version
- There is no statewide percentage cap, but a rent increase used to end a tenancy must not be unconscionable, and courts weigh the size of the increase, the landlord's costs and local market rents.
- A landlord may not evict, change lease terms or refuse to renew because a tenant enforced legal rights, made a good faith complaint to a government agency or joined a tenant group.
- To raise rent, the landlord serves a written notice ending the current term and offering a new tenancy at the higher rent, generally at least one month before the change takes effect.
A New Jersey landlord cannot raise rent in the middle of a lease. To change the rent, the landlord ends the current term with a written notice to quit and offers a new tenancy at the new rent, and the increase must not be unconscionable or break a local ordinance.
New Jersey rent increase notice at a glance
| Rule | New Jersey | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Notice before a rent increase | To raise rent, the landlord serves a written notice ending the current term and offering a new tenancy at the higher rent, generally at least one month before the change takes effect. | N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1(f) (Anti-Eviction Act) |
| Statewide cap on increases | There is no statewide percentage cap, but a rent increase used to end a tenancy must not be unconscionable, and courts weigh the size of the increase, the landlord's costs and local market rents. | N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1(f) (Anti-Eviction Act) |
| Retaliation protection | A landlord may not evict, change lease terms or refuse to renew because a tenant enforced legal rights, made a good faith complaint to a government agency or joined a tenant group. | N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.10 (reprisal law) |
How much notice to give
Give the notice in writing, keep a copy and record how and when it was delivered.
Notice before a rent increase. To raise rent, the landlord serves a written notice ending the current term and offering a new tenancy at the higher rent, generally at least one month before the change takes effect. (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1(f) (Anti-Eviction Act))
Fixed-term leases
During a fixed-term lease, rent usually stays as written until the term ends unless the lease itself allows an increase. Plan increases for the renewal.
Caps that limit the increase
Statewide cap on increases. There is no statewide percentage cap, but a rent increase used to end a tenancy must not be unconscionable, and courts weigh the size of the increase, the landlord's costs and local market rents. (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1(f) (Anti-Eviction Act))
Rent control status. New Jersey has no statewide rent control law, but municipalities may adopt rent control or rent leveling ordinances enforced by local boards. (Inganamort v. Borough of Fort Lee (N.J. 1973) and municipal ordinances)
Timing and retaliation
Retaliation protection. A landlord may not evict, change lease terms or refuse to renew because a tenant enforced legal rights, made a good faith complaint to a government agency or joined a tenant group. (N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.10 (reprisal law))
Mistakes to avoid
- Raising rent during a fixed term without a clause that allows it.
- Sending the notice by text or email when the lease or the law calls for written delivery another way.
- Increasing rent right after a repair request or complaint.
- Not keeping proof of when the notice was delivered.
Keep the New Jersey rent increase notice summary on file
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General information, not legal advice.
Verify current law
We last checked these New Jersey rules on . Laws change and cities can add their own, so confirm the current text before you rely on it, and talk to a New Jersey attorney about your situation.
Laws named on this page
- N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1(f) (Anti-Eviction Act)
- N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.10 (reprisal law)
- Inganamort v. Borough of Fort Lee (N.J. 1973) and municipal ordinances
Official sources
New Jersey forms for this topic
Letters and checklists for this topic
- Notice of Rent Increase · PDF or Word
- Rent Increase Letter · PDF or Word
- Lease Renewal Letter · PDF or Word
Where landlords trip up.
How much notice is needed to raise rent in New Jersey?
To raise rent, the landlord serves a written notice ending the current term and offering a new tenancy at the higher rent, generally at least one month before the change takes effect. Source: N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1(f) (Anti-Eviction Act).
Is there a cap on rent increases in New Jersey?
There is no statewide percentage cap, but a rent increase used to end a tenancy must not be unconscionable, and courts weigh the size of the increase, the landlord's costs and local market rents. Source: N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1(f) (Anti-Eviction Act).
Can a rent increase count as retaliation in New Jersey?
A landlord may not evict, change lease terms or refuse to renew because a tenant enforced legal rights, made a good faith complaint to a government agency or joined a tenant group. Source: N.J.S.A. 2A:42-10.10 (reprisal law).