Local landlord and tenant rules in Howell Township, New Jersey
Howell Township, New Jersey has local rules on rent regulation (Howell Code ch. 204, art. I, §§ 204-3 – 204-6 (Ord. O-93-23)), rental registration (Howell Township Code § 178-18) and inspections before a new tenant (Howell Township Code § 178-18), on top of New Jersey law.
Local rules in Howell Township, New Jersey
Rent regulation
Howell’s rent stabilization is for mobile home parks: a park owner may seek, with the Rent Control Board’s written approval and 60 days’ notice, an increase of up to 5% of the previous twelve months’ base rent for a space — one increase per park per calendar year, and only while the park substantially complies with the codes. A newly built space sets its first rent. Because 5% is above the state cap, P.L. 2025, c. 85 preempts the chapter for site tenancies that began on or after the cap took effect — those are held to 3.5% in twelve months.
Source: Howell Code ch. 204, art. I, §§ 204-3 – 204-6 (Ord. O-93-23). Checked on November 11, 2026.
Office: Howell Rent Control Board, (732) 938-4500 (website).
Howell landlord registration — multiple units, by January 31
Every rental unit is registered, inspected and licensed with the Housing Official. A rental facility with several units registers every year on or within 30 days of January 1, with proof of the required liability insurance. Continued occupancy past the expiration of the rental certificate and registration is a violation; Chapter 178 was last amended June 23, 2026.
Source: Howell Township Code § 178-18. Checked on November 4, 2026.
Howell rental certificate and reinspection at each change of occupancy
Each rental unit is reinspected at every change in occupancy, and a single-unit rental renews its rental certificate and landlord registration together every year on the anniversary of the first registration as well as at any change of ownership or tenancy.
Source: Howell Township Code § 178-18. Checked on November 4, 2026.
New Jersey rules that apply in Howell Township
| 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 Howell Township
11.2% of the occupied homes in Howell Township are rented, about 2,137 households, a share lower than across New Jersey (36.2%).
The median gross rent is $2,280 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.
67.4% of renters there pay 30% or more of their income on rent.
35.8% of the homes were built before 1980, and the federal lead-paint disclosure rule covers housing built before 1978.
| Howell Township | Monmouth County | New Jersey | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that rent | 11.2% (±2.1 points) | 24.4% | 36.2% |
| Median gross rent | $2,280 (±$516) | $1,827 | $1,720 |
| Renters paying 30% or more of income on rent | 67.4% (±12.6 points) | 52.7% | 51.6% |
| Median income of renter households | $54,849 (±$21,022) | $62,592 | $62,674 |
| Homes built before 1980 | 35.8% (±3.4 points) | 57.1% | 62.8% |
| Homes in buildings of five or more units | 5.7% (±1.6 points) | 16.9% | 21.8% |
| Households that moved in since 2020 | 18.1% (±2.2 points) | 18.6% | 21.2% |
All housing figures for Howell Township: 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 Howell Township
Rent control office: Howell Rent Control Board, (732) 938-4500 (website).
Questions about Howell Township’s local rules
Does Howell Township have rent control?
Howell’s rent stabilization is for mobile home parks: a park owner may seek, with the Rent Control Board’s written approval and 60 days’ notice, an increase of up to 5% of the previous twelve months’ base rent for a space — one increase per park per calendar year, and only while the park substantially complies with the codes. A newly built space sets its first rent. Because 5% is above the state cap, P.L. 2025, c. 85 preempts the chapter for site tenancies that began on or after the cap took effect — those are held to 3.5% in twelve months. (Howell Code ch. 204, art. I, §§ 204-3 – 204-6 (Ord. O-93-23))
How much can a landlord raise the rent in Howell Township?
Howell’s rent stabilization is for mobile home parks: a park owner may seek, with the Rent Control Board’s written approval and 60 days’ notice, an increase of up to 5% of the previous twelve months’ base rent for a space — one increase per park per calendar year, and only while the park substantially complies with the codes. 5% in twelve months. (Howell Code ch. 204, art. I, §§ 204-3 – 204-6 (Ord. O-93-23))
Do landlords have to register rentals in Howell Township?
Every rental unit is registered, inspected and licensed with the Housing Official. A rental facility with several units registers every year on or within 30 days of January 1, with proof of the required liability insurance. Continued occupancy past the expiration of the rental certificate and registration is a violation; Chapter 178 was last amended June 23, 2026. (Howell Township Code § 178-18)
Does Howell Township require an inspection or certificate before a new tenant moves in?
Each rental unit is reinspected at every change in occupancy, and a single-unit rental renews its rental certificate and landlord registration together every year on the anniversary of the first registration as well as at any change of ownership or tenancy. (Howell Township Code § 178-18)
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.