No, your New Jersey landlord cannot raise your rent without providing proper notice. State law requires landlords to give tenants at least 30 days’ written notice before a rent increase takes effect for month-to-month leases. This allows tenants time to adjust their finances or decide whether to continue living at the property.
For fixed-term leases (such as a one-year lease), landlords cannot increase the rent during the current lease term unless the lease specifically allows it.
Any rent increase must be communicated before the lease expires, typically with 30 to 60 days’ notice before renewal, depending on the lease and local ordinances.
Additionally, some municipalities have rent control ordinances that may require longer notice periods or impose additional restrictions. In those cases, local rules take precedence over the state’s minimum requirements.
If a landlord attempts to raise your rent without proper notice, the increase is not valid, and you are not obligated to pay the higher amount until you have received the required written notice.
Sources:
- https://newjerseyevictionlaw.com/landlord-rights/can-new-jersey-landlords-legally-raise-rent/
- https://www.goodcover.com/blog/nj-rent-increase-laws/
- https://www.steadily.com/blog/rent-increase-laws-regulations-new-jersey
- https://www.singlekey.com/en-us/near-me/new-jersey/new-jersey-rent-increase-guidelines-for-landlords/