Local landlord and tenant rules in Fort Lee Borough, New Jersey
Fort Lee Borough, New Jersey has local rules on rent regulation (Fort Lee Code ch. 324, §§ 324-2, 324-9, 324-14, 324-53 (as last amended by Ord. 2009-37)) and other landlord obligations (Fort Lee Borough Code ch. 321 (Rental Property), art. I, §§ 321-2, 321-4 to 321-6), on top of New Jersey law.
Local rules in Fort Lee Borough, New Jersey
Rent regulation
In Fort Lee a rent may rise no sooner than twelve months after the last increase, by no more than 5% of the prior base rent; a qualified senior citizen or disabled tenant’s increase follows the Borough’s MAP formula and may not exceed 3.5%. Single-family, condominium and cooperative rentals have a limited vacancy decontrol (§ 324-9), and every landlord — decontrolled or not — registers each new rental and tenant with the Rent Leveling Board within 60 days on the Board’s forms; a decontrolled rent not registered is penalised at 25% of the overcharge (75% on a repeat). A tenant moving to another apartment in the same building may be charged at most 15% more.
Source: Fort Lee Code ch. 324, §§ 324-2, 324-9, 324-14, 324-53 (as last amended by Ord. 2009-37). Checked on November 11, 2026.
Office: Fort Lee Rent Leveling Office (Fort Lee Housing Authority), (201) 654-3036 (website).
Other landlord obligations
The owner of a Fort Lee multiple dwelling — four or more rental units, condominium or cooperative conversions included — must deposit security funds with the Borough’s Multiple Dwelling Emergency Commission: $50 a unit for an owner of up to 25 units, then $25 a unit for the next 15 and $15 a unit beyond 40, never more than $12,500 in all. When the Commission declares an emergency — no heat (68°F by day and 65°F at night from October 1 to May 1), no hot water at 145°F, no working sanitary facilities, or a dangerous structural, mechanical or electrical defect — and the owner, once notified, has not started the work, it may spend the funds to fix it, and the owner must replace what was spent.
Source: Fort Lee Borough Code ch. 321 (Rental Property), art. I, §§ 321-2, 321-4 to 321-6. Checked on November 12, 2026.
Other landlord obligations
Fort Lee forbids renting any dwelling unit — an apartment, condominium, cooperative or house included — for 30 days or less for any consideration, and forbids advertising or soliciting such a rental. Only house guests of the owner’s own household staying without payment are allowed. A violation is a public nuisance, with a fine of up to $1,250, each day a separate violation.
Source: Fort Lee Borough Code ch. 321 (Rental Property), art. V, §§ 321-18 to 321-22 (Ord. No. 2016-33). Checked on November 12, 2026.
New Jersey rules that apply in Fort Lee Borough
| Rule | New Jersey |
|---|---|
| How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in New Jersey? | 30 days |
| How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in New Jersey? | 1.5 months of rent |
| Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in New Jersey? | Deposit must sit in an interest-bearing New Jersey account; interest is paid or credited annually. |
| How much notice does a landlord have to give before raising the rent in New Jersey? | 30 days |
| How much notice must a landlord give to end a tenancy in New Jersey? | 30 days |
| How many days does a tenant get to pay late rent in New Jersey? | No general statutory period |
| Is there a grace period for paying rent in New Jersey? | 5 business days (some tenants only) |
| How much can a landlord charge for a rental application fee in New Jersey? | $50 for all application fees together (not one- and two-family houses) |
Every New Jersey rule Seayora publishes.
The homes these rules cover in Fort Lee Borough
44.6% of the occupied homes in Fort Lee Borough are rented, about 8,156 households, a share higher than across New Jersey (36.2%).
The median gross rent is $2,270 a month, higher than across New Jersey ($1,720); that is what households report paying, utilities included, not the asking rent for a vacant apartment.
48.4% of renters there pay 30% or more of their income on rent.
65.2% of the homes were built before 1980, and the federal lead-paint disclosure rule covers housing built before 1978.
| Fort Lee Borough | Bergen County | New Jersey | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that rent | 44.6% (±2.8 points) | 34.7% | 36.2% |
| Median gross rent | $2,270 (±$112) | $1,914 | $1,720 |
| Renters paying 30% or more of income on rent | 48.4% (±5.0 points) | 50.8% | 51.6% |
| Median income of renter households | $88,750 (±$12,390) | $74,953 | $62,674 |
| Homes built before 1980 | 65.2% (±4.5 points) | 73.8% | 62.8% |
| Homes in buildings of five or more units | 68.3% (±3.1 points) | 22.4% | 21.8% |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.4% (±2.4 points) | 3.0% | 3.5% |
| Households that moved in since 2020 | 25.6% (±2.4 points) | 19.6% | 21.2% |
All housing figures for Fort Lee Borough: rent by bedrooms, home values, property taxes, commute.
Source: US Census Bureau, Selected Housing Characteristics (DP04), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — undefined. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Rentals and records in Fort Lee Borough
Rent control office: Fort Lee Rent Leveling Office (Fort Lee Housing Authority), (201) 654-3036 (website).
Questions about Fort Lee Borough’s local rules
Does Fort Lee Borough have rent control?
In Fort Lee a rent may rise no sooner than twelve months after the last increase, by no more than 5% of the prior base rent; a qualified senior citizen or disabled tenant’s increase follows the Borough’s MAP formula and may not exceed 3.5%. Single-family, condominium and cooperative rentals have a limited vacancy decontrol (§ 324-9), and every landlord — decontrolled or not — registers each new rental and tenant with the Rent Leveling Board within 60 days on the Board’s forms; a decontrolled rent not registered is penalised at 25% of the overcharge (75% on a repeat). A tenant moving to another apartment in the same building may be charged at most 15% more. (Fort Lee Code ch. 324, §§ 324-2, 324-9, 324-14, 324-53 (as last amended by Ord. 2009-37))
How much can a landlord raise the rent in Fort Lee Borough?
5%. Single-family, condominium and cooperative rentals have a limited vacancy decontrol (§ 324-9), and every landlord — decontrolled or not — registers each new rental and tenant with the Rent Leveling Board within 60 days on the Board’s forms; a decontrolled rent not registered is penalised at 25% of the overcharge (75% on a repeat). A tenant moving to another apartment in the same building may be charged at most 15% more. (Fort Lee Code ch. 324, §§ 324-2, 324-9, 324-14, 324-53 (as last amended by Ord. 2009-37))
What else does Fort Lee Borough require of landlords?
The owner of a Fort Lee multiple dwelling — four or more rental units, condominium or cooperative conversions included — must deposit security funds with the Borough’s Multiple Dwelling Emergency Commission: $50 a unit for an owner of up to 25 units, then $25 a unit for the next 15 and $15 a unit beyond 40, never more than $12,500 in all. When the Commission declares an emergency — no heat (68°F by day and 65°F at night from October 1 to May 1), no hot water at 145°F, no working sanitary facilities, or a dangerous structural, mechanical or electrical defect — and the owner, once notified, has not started the work, it may spend the funds to fix it, and the owner must replace what was spent. (Fort Lee Borough Code ch. 321 (Rental Property), art. I, §§ 321-2, 321-4 to 321-6) Fort Lee forbids renting any dwelling unit — an apartment, condominium, cooperative or house included — for 30 days or less for any consideration, and forbids advertising or soliciting such a rental. Only house guests of the owner’s own household staying without payment are allowed. A violation is a public nuisance, with a fine of up to $1,250, each day a separate violation. (Fort Lee Borough Code ch. 321 (Rental Property), art. V, §§ 321-18 to 321-22 (Ord. No. 2016-33))
This is a summary of the local rules Seayora has read from each place’s own code, not legal advice. Ordinances change and a rule may have exceptions; check the citation and the office named before acting.