Local landlord and tenant rules in Metuchen Borough, New Jersey
Metuchen Borough, New Jersey has local rules on rent regulation (Metuchen Code ch. 147, §§ 147-1, 147-7, 147-11 (Ord. 83-12)), on top of New Jersey law.
Local rules in Metuchen Borough, New Jersey
Rent regulation
In Metuchen the rent may rise at the end of a lease by the lesser of the CPI change (90 days before the term began to 90 days before it ends) or 7.5% — for a shorter periodic tenancy, the lesser of the prior year’s CPI change or 7.5% — once in twelve months; a mandatory separate charge such as parking or a pool membership rises by the same percentage. After a voluntary, uncoerced vacancy, with the non-coercion statement and the Health Officer’s certificate of substantial compliance on file, the unit is permanently decontrolled, and the new tenant must first be given the written decontrol notice the chapter prescribes. Motels, hotels and owner-occupied buildings of three or fewer units are exempt.
Source: Metuchen Code ch. 147, §§ 147-1, 147-7, 147-11 (Ord. 83-12). Checked on November 11, 2026.
Office: Metuchen Rent Stabilization Board, (732) 632-8509 (website).
New Jersey rules that apply in Metuchen 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 Metuchen Borough
25.4% of the occupied homes in Metuchen Borough are rented, about 1,386 households, a share lower than across New Jersey (36.2%).
The median gross rent is $2,078 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.
38.3% of renters there pay 30% or more of their income on rent.
72.1% of the homes were built before 1980, and the federal lead-paint disclosure rule covers housing built before 1978.
| Metuchen Borough | Middlesex County | New Jersey | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that rent | 25.4% (±3.2 points) | 36.4% | 36.2% |
| Median gross rent | $2,078 (±$209) | $1,871 | $1,720 |
| Renters paying 30% or more of income on rent | 38.3% (±8.7 points) | 48.1% | 51.6% |
| Median income of renter households | $96,154 (±$5,844) | $76,035 | $62,674 |
| Homes built before 1980 | 72.1% (±6.8 points) | 57.4% | 62.8% |
| Homes in buildings of five or more units | 16.6% (±3.2 points) | 24.0% | 21.8% |
| Households that moved in since 2020 | 18.8% (±2.8 points) | 21.3% | 21.2% |
All housing figures for Metuchen 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 Metuchen Borough
Rent control office: Metuchen Rent Stabilization Board, (732) 632-8509 (website).
Questions about Metuchen Borough’s local rules
Does Metuchen Borough have rent control?
In Metuchen the rent may rise at the end of a lease by the lesser of the CPI change (90 days before the term began to 90 days before it ends) or 7.5% — for a shorter periodic tenancy, the lesser of the prior year’s CPI change or 7.5% — once in twelve months; a mandatory separate charge such as parking or a pool membership rises by the same percentage. After a voluntary, uncoerced vacancy, with the non-coercion statement and the Health Officer’s certificate of substantial compliance on file, the unit is permanently decontrolled, and the new tenant must first be given the written decontrol notice the chapter prescribes. Motels, hotels and owner-occupied buildings of three or fewer units are exempt. (Metuchen Code ch. 147, §§ 147-1, 147-7, 147-11 (Ord. 83-12))
How much can a landlord raise the rent in Metuchen Borough?
5% — once in twelve months; a mandatory separate charge such as parking or a pool membership rises by the same percentage. (Metuchen Code ch. 147, §§ 147-1, 147-7, 147-11 (Ord. 83-12))
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.
Related
- Local rules across Middlesex County
- New Jersey landlord and tenant rules
- Housing data for Metuchen Borough: rent, renters, home values
- Local rules in Edison Township
- Local rules in North Brunswick Township
- Local rules in Old Bridge Township
- Local rules in Perth Amboy
- Local rules in Piscataway Township
- Local rules in Woodbridge Township
- All renting rules by state
- Rentals by city