Hi,

I am signing a lease for another year with my landlord but he wants to increase the rent 15% for the new year. Is there a cap on the increase for raising rent. This is for a house, not an apartment. Thanks!

LisaB4657

It depends on where in NJ you live. I believe that some cities have rent control ordinances. The only way to find out is to call the clerk of your town and ask if there is any rent control ordinance in effect.

If the clerk tells you that there is no rent control in your town then the landlord can increase the rent as much as he wants.

samrent

I live in South Orange, New Jersey. You probably don't know if they do for S.O. but if you do, let me know. I will call the clerk though. Thank you.

The other part of it is that I asked via email what the rent increase would be back in February. They emailed me back saying 5%. We are supposed to sign the new lease this week and when I emailed her with a time she emailed saying they wanted to increase it 15%. Is there any law about written word? I know there is oral word. Thanks.

LisaB4657

I don't think S.O. has rent control for houses but it can't hurt to ask the clerk.

As for the email you may have a case for holding her to the 5% but that would only be effective for one month. If you don't sign a new lease then you become a month-to-month tenant and they can change the terms every month and even give you 30 days notice to leave. You could claim that you relied on her promise of 5% and that's why you didn't look for a new place. But then a court would only give you 30 days of the 5% increase which would allow you enough time to find a new place. They wouldn't imply one full year at 5% increase.

samrent

Thanks for your help!