Local landlord and tenant rules in Montclair Township, New Jersey

Montclair Township, New Jersey has local rules on rent regulation (Montclair Code ch. 257, §§ 257-2, 257-9, 257-10 and the fee schedule (2022, as amended)), rental registration (Montclair Township Code § 257) and inspections before a new tenant (Montclair Township Code ch. 213 (Multifamily Buildings), § 213-10 (Ord. No. 83-26, as amended by Ord. Nos. 00-19, 06-21, O-11-35)), on top of New Jersey law.

Local rules in Montclair Township, New Jersey

Rent regulation

Montclair’s rent regulation covers units in two- and three-unit buildings the owner does not live in and every unit in a building of four or more — not single-family homes or a single condominium or cooperative unit. A covered rent may rise once in twelve months by no more than 4% (2.5% where a tenant is 65 or older), only while the unit is in substantial code compliance and registered; a landlord who has collected no increase from the existing tenant since May 1, 2020 may take a one-time 6%. All increases together may not exceed 15%. After a voluntary, uncoerced vacancy the landlord may set the next rent, no more than once in five years, on a vacancy allowance application ($250). Register every covered unit each year ($10 a unit).

Source: Montclair Code ch. 257, §§ 257-2, 257-9, 257-10 and the fee schedule (2022, as amended). Checked on November 11, 2026.

Office: Montclair Rent Control Office, (973) 509-4956 (website).

Montclair annual rent registration statement — April 1

Every landlord of a unit under Montclair's rent regulation refiles the registration statement with the Rent Control Officer on April 1 each year ($10 per unit). Fifteen days late brings a notice and a $20-per-unit late fee; a statement still missing 45 days after that notice bars any rent increase until it is filed. Give the Rent Control Officer a copy of the state landlord registration when you file it with the Township Clerk.

Source: Montclair Township Code § 257. Checked on November 4, 2026.

Inspections before a new tenant

In a Montclair building of three or more homes, no unit may be rented, delivered up or moved into until the Housing Officer has issued a certificate of habitability for it, showing it breaks no housing, building, fire or health code; each unit needs its own. The fee is $60 — $42 paid by the landlord and $18 by the tenant — with the first compliance inspection free and $30 for each further one, and a notice saying a unit may not be occupied without the certificate must be posted in the lobby and given to every new tenant by their first day. Single-family homes, two-family buildings, owner-occupied buildings of four or fewer units, hotels and motels are exempt.

Source: Montclair Township Code ch. 213 (Multifamily Buildings), § 213-10 (Ord. No. 83-26, as amended by Ord. Nos. 00-19, 06-21, O-11-35). Checked on November 12, 2026.

New Jersey rules that apply in Montclair Township

RuleNew 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 Montclair Township

43.1% of the occupied homes in Montclair Township are rented, about 6,773 households, a share higher than across New Jersey (36.2%).

The median gross rent is $2,063 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.

49.3% of renters there pay 30% or more of their income on rent.

85.7% of the homes were built before 1980, and the federal lead-paint disclosure rule covers housing built before 1978.

2020–2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, with the 90% margin of error for Montclair Township
Montclair TownshipEssex CountyNew Jersey
Households that rent43.1% (±2.6 points)55.1%36.2%
Median gross rent$2,063 (±$92)$1,531$1,720
Renters paying 30% or more of income on rent49.3% (±5.1 points)55.1%51.6%
Median income of renter households$82,208 (±$10,998)$51,273$62,674
Homes built before 198085.7% (±4.0 points)74.2%62.8%
Homes in buildings of five or more units28.1% (±2.8 points)31.1%21.8%
Households that moved in since 202026.9% (±2.6 points)23.0%21.2%

All housing figures for Montclair 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 Montclair Township

Rent control office: Montclair Rent Control Office, (973) 509-4956 (website).

Questions about Montclair Township’s local rules

Does Montclair Township have rent control?

Montclair’s rent regulation covers units in two- and three-unit buildings the owner does not live in and every unit in a building of four or more — not single-family homes or a single condominium or cooperative unit. A covered rent may rise once in twelve months by no more than 4% (2.5% where a tenant is 65 or older), only while the unit is in substantial code compliance and registered; a landlord who has collected no increase from the existing tenant since May 1, 2020 may take a one-time 6%. All increases together may not exceed 15%. After a voluntary, uncoerced vacancy the landlord may set the next rent, no more than once in five years, on a vacancy allowance application ($250). Register every covered unit each year ($10 a unit). (Montclair Code ch. 257, §§ 257-2, 257-9, 257-10 and the fee schedule (2022, as amended))

How much can a landlord raise the rent in Montclair Township?

5% where a tenant is 65 or older), only while the unit is in substantial code compliance and registered; a landlord who has collected no increase from the existing tenant since May 1, 2020 may take a one-time 6%. All increases together may not exceed 15%. (Montclair Code ch. 257, §§ 257-2, 257-9, 257-10 and the fee schedule (2022, as amended))

Do landlords have to register rentals in Montclair Township?

Every landlord of a unit under Montclair's rent regulation refiles the registration statement with the Rent Control Officer on April 1 each year ($10 per unit). Fifteen days late brings a notice and a $20-per-unit late fee; a statement still missing 45 days after that notice bars any rent increase until it is filed. Give the Rent Control Officer a copy of the state landlord registration when you file it with the Township Clerk. (Montclair Township Code § 257)

Does Montclair Township require an inspection or certificate before a new tenant moves in?

In a Montclair building of three or more homes, no unit may be rented, delivered up or moved into until the Housing Officer has issued a certificate of habitability for it, showing it breaks no housing, building, fire or health code; each unit needs its own. The fee is $60 — $42 paid by the landlord and $18 by the tenant — with the first compliance inspection free and $30 for each further one, and a notice saying a unit may not be occupied without the certificate must be posted in the lobby and given to every new tenant by their first day. Single-family homes, two-family buildings, owner-occupied buildings of four or fewer units, hotels and motels are exempt. (Montclair Township Code ch. 213 (Multifamily Buildings), § 213-10 (Ord. No. 83-26, as amended by Ord. Nos. 00-19, 06-21, O-11-35))

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.

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