Local landlord and tenant rules in Lawrence Township (Mercer County), New Jersey
Lawrence Township (Mercer County), New Jersey has local rules on rent regulation (Lawrence Township Code ch. 325, §§ 325-2, 325-17, 325-19, 325-32, 325-33), rental registration (Lawrence Township Municipal Clerk) and inspections before a new tenant (Lawrence Township Municipal Clerk · Fire Official), on top of New Jersey law.
Local rules in Lawrence Township (Mercer County), New Jersey
Rent regulation
Lawrence Township (Mercer) covers complexes of ten or more units: on an extension or renewal the rent may rise by no more than the CPI-W (U.S. city average) increase from September to September, applied to the apartment’s average rent for the preceding twelve months, with notice by certified mail or personal service on the Board’s form. When an apartment becomes vacant the landlord sets the new tenant’s first rent; later increases follow the chapter. Every rental unit is registered with the Rent Stabilization Board. New developments with a 20% low- and moderate-income set-aside are exempt.
Source: Lawrence Township Code ch. 325, §§ 325-2, 325-17, 325-19, 325-32, 325-33. Checked on November 11, 2026.
Office: Lawrence Township Rent Stabilization Board, (609) 844-7005 (website).
Lawrence rental registration and licence — every year
Each rental unit is registered and licensed with the Municipal Clerk every year and at each change in tenancy; the licence expires one year from its issue. Each unit is inspected for a certificate of inspection at least once every 24 months.
Source: Lawrence Township Municipal Clerk. Checked on November 4, 2026.
Lawrence registration, licence and inspection at each change in tenancy
A change in tenancy means a new registration and licence and an inspection for the certificate of inspection before the new tenant moves in; an apartment complex with on-site management and maintenance may be allowed an affidavit instead of the inspection.
Source: Lawrence Township Municipal Clerk · Fire Official. Checked on November 4, 2026.
New Jersey rules that apply in Lawrence Township (Mercer County)
| 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 Lawrence Township (Mercer County)
32.5% of the occupied homes in Lawrence Township (Mercer County) are rented, about 4,046 households, a share lower than across New Jersey (36.2%).
The median gross rent is $2,020 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.
44.2% of renters there pay 30% or more of their income on rent.
51.2% of the homes were built before 1980, and the federal lead-paint disclosure rule covers housing built before 1978.
| Lawrence Township (Mercer County) | Mercer County | New Jersey | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that rent | 32.5% (±3.1 points) | 37.8% | 36.2% |
| Median gross rent | $2,020 (±$107) | $1,623 | $1,720 |
| Renters paying 30% or more of income on rent | 44.2% (±7.9 points) | 50.0% | 51.6% |
| Median income of renter households | $82,778 (±$14,948) | $61,039 | $62,674 |
| Homes built before 1980 | 51.2% (±4.9 points) | 64.2% | 62.8% |
| Homes in buildings of five or more units | 26.6% (±3.6 points) | 23.1% | 21.8% |
| Households that moved in since 2020 | 26.8% (±3.6 points) | 21.8% | 21.2% |
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 Lawrence Township (Mercer County)
Rent control office: Lawrence Township Rent Stabilization Board, (609) 844-7005 (website).
Questions about Lawrence Township (Mercer County)’s local rules
Does Lawrence Township (Mercer County) have rent control?
Lawrence Township (Mercer) covers complexes of ten or more units: on an extension or renewal the rent may rise by no more than the CPI-W (U.S. city average) increase from September to September, applied to the apartment’s average rent for the preceding twelve months, with notice by certified mail or personal service on the Board’s form. When an apartment becomes vacant the landlord sets the new tenant’s first rent; later increases follow the chapter. Every rental unit is registered with the Rent Stabilization Board. New developments with a 20% low- and moderate-income set-aside are exempt. (Lawrence Township Code ch. 325, §§ 325-2, 325-17, 325-19, 325-32, 325-33)
How much can a landlord raise the rent in Lawrence Township (Mercer County)?
New developments with a 20% low- and moderate-income set-aside are exempt. (Lawrence Township Code ch. 325, §§ 325-2, 325-17, 325-19, 325-32, 325-33)
Do landlords have to register rentals in Lawrence Township (Mercer County)?
Each rental unit is registered and licensed with the Municipal Clerk every year and at each change in tenancy; the licence expires one year from its issue. Each unit is inspected for a certificate of inspection at least once every 24 months. (Lawrence Township Municipal Clerk)
Does Lawrence Township (Mercer County) require an inspection or certificate before a new tenant moves in?
A change in tenancy means a new registration and licence and an inspection for the certificate of inspection before the new tenant moves in; an apartment complex with on-site management and maintenance may be allowed an affidavit instead of the inspection. (Lawrence Township Municipal Clerk · Fire Official)
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.