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New Jersey Rent Increase Notice

New Jersey has no statewide rent cap, but a landlord can only raise the rent at the end of a term, with a written notice to quit and a notice of the new rent. Many towns, including Jersey City, add rent control rules.

N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1(f)30+ days / full monthRent control checkFree PDF

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Not legal advice. A self-help tool, not a law firm. Full disclaimer below the form.

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Not legal advice. LandlordSquare is a self-help document tool, not a law firm. Using it does not create an attorney-client relationship, and we don't guarantee that any notice is legally sufficient for your situation. Laws change. You are responsible for checking the current law, your lease and local rules, and for serving the notice correctly. When in doubt, talk to a licensed attorney in your state.

How a rent increase works in New Jersey

According to the NJ DCA Rent Increase Bulletin, before raising the rent the landlord must give the tenant a written Notice to Quit and notice of the rent increase. The Notice to Quit ends the current tenancy, but the tenant does not have to move: they can stay at the new rent. The landlord can only raise the rent at the start of a new term, not during a lease.

How much notice

  • Lease: within the time the lease requires (at least 30 days) or the local ordinance, if any.
  • Month-to-month: a 30-day Notice to Quit given on the day rent is due (DCA). The generator picks the first rent due date at least 30 days out and starts the new rent at the next full rental month.

Rent control (Jersey City and other towns)

The state has no rent control law, but municipalities can adopt ordinances that limit the amount and timing of increases. Under N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1(f), the increase must not be unconscionable and must comply with all other laws and municipal ordinances. Jersey City's Office of Landlord/Tenant Relations handles landlord rent-increase applications and registrations. Check with your municipal clerk or rent board before serving.

Unconscionable increases

A tenant who believes an increase is unconscionable may withhold the difference, and the court decides; the landlord has the burden of proving the increase is fair (DCA bulletin).

How to serve it

Use the methods in N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.2: personal delivery, leaving it with a family member over 14 at the tenant's home, or certified mail (then regular mail if unclaimed).

Frequently asked questions

How much notice to raise rent in NJ?

At least the period in the lease (30 days or more) or local ordinance; for month-to-month tenants, a 30-day notice to quit given on the day rent is due (NJ DCA Rent Increase Bulletin).

Is there a limit on rent increases in New Jersey?

No statewide cap, but increases cannot be unconscionable, and towns with rent control ordinances (such as Jersey City) set their own limits and procedures.

Does the tenant have to move out after a Notice to Quit for a rent increase?

No. The notice offers to continue the tenancy at the new rent. If the tenant stays and doesn't pay the increase, the landlord can file for nonpayment of the increase (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1(f)).

Related notices

Sources

Statute text read on October 25, 2026. Laws change; check the source before relying on it.