I live in a management building in west New York, NJ and they just sent a notice saying they want to increase the rent app. 20%
Can they really do this??
Thanks

Do you have a lease setting the rent? What did you sign when you moved in?

Yes, but it's a 1 year lease only

In NJ a landlord may not increase the rent by more than a "reasonable" amount. Whether the proposed increase is reasonable depends on several factors. This site explains landlord/tenant law in NJ in general: http://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/codes/publications/pdf_lti/t_i_r.pdf

This is a bulletin from the state specifically about rent increases: http://www.nj.gov/dca/divisions/codes/publications/pdf_lti/rnt_incrse_bultin.pdf

You have to read the second one for yourself and decide if you want to challenge the landlord's proposed increase.

OK, thank you very much, these 2 links explain everything very clearly