Rent Control Property Map — City of Jersey City

About this list

The City of Jersey City, Office of Landlord/Tenant Relations recognizes the properties shown here as subject to rent control and the rent restrictions established under the Rent Control Ordinance, based on the information available at this time.

This is a working document. What you see today is a preliminary list which was produced as part of an ongoing audit of all Jersey City properties which are presumed subject to rent control. More properties may be added in the future as the audit process continues. Just because a property is not on the list right now does not mean that it has been confirmed as exempt or that the Rent Control Ordinance does not apply. It is possible that the property is still under review and will be included after a more informed determination regarding its rent control status has been made.

Understanding Rent Control

What it means if you rent

If your building is subject to rent control:

Rent control stays with the building. A change of ownership does not remove it and a new owner cannot use a sale as a reason to raise rent beyond the allowable amount.
At lease renewal, your rent increase cannot exceed the allowable percentage — either the published Consumer Price Index (CPI) figure or 4%, whichever is less. The Office publishes the monthly allowable increases and updates them each month here.
Larger increases are only permitted if the Rent Leveling Board has approved a Capital Improvement or Hardship application or a qualifying Vacancy Capital Improvement was completed.
If you have received an increase above the allowable amount, or were unaware your building is rent-controlled, you may file an Illegal Rent Petition with the Office for review and potential reimbursement.

What rent control covers

In Jersey City, rent control (i.e. the local regulation which limits the amount a landlord can raise rent each year) generally applies to residential buildings with five or more dwelling units, under Chapter 260 of the Jersey City Municipal Code.

A building can qualify for one of several exemptions to rent control which are listed below. An exemption means that the restrictions which cap rent raises specified in Chapter 260 do not apply to that building. Exemptions are not always permanent and some have expiration dates. If you have specific questions related to your building's status, you can ask the Office for additional information by submitting a request on SeeClickFix.

Exemptions from rent control

A building with five or more units may still be exempt on one of these bases. Owners who believe a property qualifies can submit a Rent Control Exemption Request with supporting documentation.

One-to-four unit dwellings§260-1

Buildings containing one to four residential units are outside rent control.

Converted use§260-1

A building converted from non-permanent to permanent residential use on or after October 1, 1983 — for example a former warehouse, factory, or office now used as housing.

Vacant on July 1, 1998§260-6D

Dwellings certified as vacant as of July 1, 1998, supported by utility records, inspection reports, or rehabilitation permits.

New construction§260-6C · N.J.S.A. 2A:42-84.1

Newly constructed dwellings, where the owner met all statutory requirements. The exemption lasts 30 years or the amortization of initial financing, whichever is less.

New construction, 25+ units in a redevelopment area§260-1

Newly constructed buildings of twenty-five or more units located within a designated Redevelopment Area.

Rents set by a government agencyHUD · NJHMFA

Where rents are set by HUD, NJHMFA, or another government funding agency, that agency — not local rent control — governs the rent.

If something looks wrong

Renter or resident: if your building has five or more units and isn't on the map, submit a request through SeeClickFix and the Office will review it.

Property owner: if your property is listed but you believe it qualifies for an exemption, file a Rent Control Exemption Request through the City permitting portal, including the documentation that supports the claimed exemption.

Office information

Office of Landlord/Tenant Relations, Division of Housing Preservation
3 Jackson Square, Jersey City, NJ 07306
(201) 547-5127 · Landlord-Tenant@jcnj.org
Office of Landlord/Tenant Relations webpage (allowable CPI increase chart)
Chapter 260 — Jersey City Rent Control Ordinance

The allowable-increase percentages referenced above are published and updated monthly on the Office of Landlord/Tenant Relations webpage. This map does not replace an official determination from the Office.

Jersey City

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