Local landlord and tenant rules in New Brunswick, New Jersey
New Brunswick, New Jersey has local rules on rent regulation (New Brunswick Code ch. 5.80, §§ 5.80.040, 5.80.050, 5.80.130, 5.80.140 (amended through Ord. O-082302, 2023)) and rental registration (New Brunswick Code §§ 15.40.030 – 15.40.060), on top of New Jersey law.
Local rules in New Brunswick, New Jersey
Rent regulation
In New Brunswick the rent control board adopts each year’s base rent increase percentage — since January 1, 2024 never less than 1% nor more than 4% — which a continuing tenant’s rent may rise by once in twelve months, at the end of a lease. After a qualifying vacancy the landlord may take a vacancy adjustment of the allowable increase plus 4% (once in 24 months), or apply for market vacancy decontrol if the unit was not decontrolled in the past five years and at least 20% of the prior year’s rent, or $3,000 if greater, went into improvements. A tenant required to vacate for code violations triggers a two-year freeze on increases. Every rental unit is registered with the rent control office by April 1, and an exempt owner (an owner-occupied single-family house among others) files its claim by the same date.
Source: New Brunswick Code ch. 5.80, §§ 5.80.040, 5.80.050, 5.80.130, 5.80.140 (amended through Ord. O-082302, 2023). Checked on November 11, 2026.
Office: New Brunswick Office of Rent Control, (732) 745-5050 (website).
New Brunswick rental registration — April 1
Every rental unit is registered with the Rent Leveling Office on or before April 1 each year, and none may be rented unless it is registered and inspected. The Division of Inspections inspects each registered unit — a vacant, previously unregistered unit before anyone moves in — and a passed inspection earns an inspection certificate valid for three years. File an amended form within 20 days of any change, and give each tenant a copy of the registration form or post the inspection certificate in the unit. Public housing, Rutgers housing, owner-occupied two-family buildings and units within three years of their first certificate of occupancy are exempt.
Source: New Brunswick Code §§ 15.40.030 – 15.40.060. Checked on November 4, 2026.
New Jersey rules that apply in New Brunswick
| 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 New Brunswick
78.6% of the occupied homes in New Brunswick are rented, about 12,322 households, a share higher than across New Jersey (36.2%).
The median gross rent is $1,814 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.
58.8% of renters there pay 30% or more of their income on rent.
62.2% of the homes were built before 1980, and the federal lead-paint disclosure rule covers housing built before 1978.
| New Brunswick | Middlesex County | New Jersey | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that rent | 78.6% (±2.3 points) | 36.4% | 36.2% |
| Median gross rent | $1,814 (±$56) | $1,871 | $1,720 |
| Renters paying 30% or more of income on rent | 58.8% (±5.5 points) | 48.1% | 51.6% |
| Median income of renter households | $51,707 (±$9,225) | $76,035 | $62,674 |
| Homes built before 1980 | 62.2% (±4.8 points) | 57.4% | 62.8% |
| Homes in buildings of five or more units | 43.6% (±3.9 points) | 24.0% | 21.8% |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.7% (±1.2 points) | 2.4% | 3.5% |
| Households that moved in since 2020 | 38.7% (±3.7 points) | 21.3% | 21.2% |
All housing figures for New Brunswick: 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 New Brunswick
Rent control office: New Brunswick Office of Rent Control, (732) 745-5050 (website).
Questions about New Brunswick’s local rules
Does New Brunswick have rent control?
In New Brunswick the rent control board adopts each year’s base rent increase percentage — since January 1, 2024 never less than 1% nor more than 4% — which a continuing tenant’s rent may rise by once in twelve months, at the end of a lease. After a qualifying vacancy the landlord may take a vacancy adjustment of the allowable increase plus 4% (once in 24 months), or apply for market vacancy decontrol if the unit was not decontrolled in the past five years and at least 20% of the prior year’s rent, or $3,000 if greater, went into improvements. A tenant required to vacate for code violations triggers a two-year freeze on increases. Every rental unit is registered with the rent control office by April 1, and an exempt owner (an owner-occupied single-family house among others) files its claim by the same date. (New Brunswick Code ch. 5.80, §§ 5.80.040, 5.80.050, 5.80.130, 5.80.140 (amended through Ord. O-082302, 2023))
How much can a landlord raise the rent in New Brunswick?
In New Brunswick the rent control board adopts each year’s base rent increase percentage — since January 1, 2024 never less than 1% nor more than 4% — which a continuing tenant’s rent may rise by once in twelve months, at the end of a lease. After a qualifying vacancy the landlord may take a vacancy adjustment of the allowable increase plus 4% (once in 24 months), or apply for market vacancy decontrol if the unit was not decontrolled in the past five years and at least 20% of the prior year’s rent, or $3,000 if greater, went into improvements. (New Brunswick Code ch. 5.80, §§ 5.80.040, 5.80.050, 5.80.130, 5.80.140 (amended through Ord. O-082302, 2023))
Do landlords have to register rentals in New Brunswick?
Every rental unit is registered with the Rent Leveling Office on or before April 1 each year, and none may be rented unless it is registered and inspected. The Division of Inspections inspects each registered unit — a vacant, previously unregistered unit before anyone moves in — and a passed inspection earns an inspection certificate valid for three years. File an amended form within 20 days of any change, and give each tenant a copy of the registration form or post the inspection certificate in the unit. Public housing, Rutgers housing, owner-occupied two-family buildings and units within three years of their first certificate of occupancy are exempt. (New Brunswick Code §§ 15.40.030 – 15.40.060)
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 New Brunswick: 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