Local landlord and tenant rules in Newark, New Jersey
Newark, New Jersey has local rules on rent regulation (Newark Code ch. 19:2, §§ 19:2-2.1, 19:2-3.2, 19:2-9.8, 19:2-18 (as amended 2026)), rental registration (Newark Code § 19:2-9.8) and inspections before a new tenant (Newark Code § 18:6-10.1), on top of New Jersey law.
Local rules in Newark, New Jersey
Rent regulation
In Newark every multiple dwelling the chapter defines is rent controlled: at the end of a lease the rent may rise by no more than the CPI change (New York–Northern New Jersey) from 15 months to 3 months before the increase, and never more than 4% — once in any twelve months whatever the number of tenants or vacancies, so a vacant unit stays controlled. No increase is allowed while the dwelling is out of substantial compliance or unregistered under § 19:2-9.8; give the tenant and the Rent Regulation Officer written notice with the calculation. A landlord who spends at least twelve months’ rent rehabilitating a vacant unit may raise its rent up to 10%. New construction is exempt for up to 30 years.
Source: Newark Code ch. 19:2, §§ 19:2-2.1, 19:2-3.2, 19:2-9.8, 19:2-18 (as amended 2026). Checked on November 11, 2026.
Office: Newark Office of Rent Control, 973-733-3675 (website).
Newark Rental Registration & Certificate of Habitability
Every rental unit in Newark — short-term rentals included — is registered with the Office of Rent Control every year ($50 plus $10 per unit; $100 plus $20 per unit for each year late), and no vacant unit may be rented until it is registered and a Certificate of Habitability is issued. The registration stays effective while the occupancy and the information on it are unchanged. The City inspects each unit at least once every three years and at every change in occupancy.
Source: Newark Code § 19:2-9.8. Checked on November 4, 2026.
Newark Certificate of Code Compliance before a new tenant
Before any change in occupancy of a dwelling unit, obtain a Certificate of Code Compliance: the owner or agent requests the inspection before the new tenant moves in, and the Office of Inspections and Enforcement issues the certificate once the unit meets the Housing Code. After the initial inspection the code calls for the unit to be inspected annually.
Source: Newark Code § 18:6-10.1. Checked on November 4, 2026.
Also on file
- Newark repealed its separate rental-registration chapter (former Chapter 18:17) on May 20, 2026; registration now sits in the rent control chapter (§ 19:2-9.8). Checked on November 4, 2026.
New Jersey rules that apply in Newark
| 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 Newark
75.6% of the occupied homes in Newark are rented, about 85,720 households, a share higher than across New Jersey (36.2%).
The median gross rent is $1,392 a month, lower than across New Jersey ($1,720); that is what households report paying, utilities included, not the asking rent for a vacant apartment.
57.2% of renters there pay 30% or more of their income on rent.
65.7% of the homes were built before 1980, and the federal lead-paint disclosure rule covers housing built before 1978.
| Newark | Essex County | New Jersey | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that rent | 75.6% (±1.2 points) | 55.1% | 36.2% |
| Median gross rent | $1,392 (±$21) | $1,531 | $1,720 |
| Renters paying 30% or more of income on rent | 57.2% (±2.1 points) | 55.1% | 51.6% |
| Median income of renter households | $43,929 (±$1,461) | $51,273 | $62,674 |
| Homes built before 1980 | 65.7% (±2.1 points) | 74.2% | 62.8% |
| Homes in buildings of five or more units | 36.0% (±1.4 points) | 31.1% | 21.8% |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.1% (±0.5 points) | 2.7% | 3.5% |
| Households that moved in since 2020 | 24.4% (±1.4 points) | 23.0% | 21.2% |
All housing figures for Newark: 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 Newark
Rent control office: Newark Office of Rent Control, 973-733-3675 (website).
Questions about Newark’s local rules
Does Newark have rent control?
In Newark every multiple dwelling the chapter defines is rent controlled: at the end of a lease the rent may rise by no more than the CPI change (New York–Northern New Jersey) from 15 months to 3 months before the increase, and never more than 4% — once in any twelve months whatever the number of tenants or vacancies, so a vacant unit stays controlled. No increase is allowed while the dwelling is out of substantial compliance or unregistered under § 19:2-9.8; give the tenant and the Rent Regulation Officer written notice with the calculation. A landlord who spends at least twelve months’ rent rehabilitating a vacant unit may raise its rent up to 10%. New construction is exempt for up to 30 years. (Newark Code ch. 19:2, §§ 19:2-2.1, 19:2-3.2, 19:2-9.8, 19:2-18 (as amended 2026))
How much can a landlord raise the rent in Newark?
In Newark every multiple dwelling the chapter defines is rent controlled: at the end of a lease the rent may rise by no more than the CPI change (New York–Northern New Jersey) from 15 months to 3 months before the increase, and never more than 4% — once in any twelve months whatever the number of tenants or vacancies, so a vacant unit stays controlled. A landlord who spends at least twelve months’ rent rehabilitating a vacant unit may raise its rent up to 10%. (Newark Code ch. 19:2, §§ 19:2-2.1, 19:2-3.2, 19:2-9.8, 19:2-18 (as amended 2026))
Do landlords have to register rentals in Newark?
Every rental unit in Newark — short-term rentals included — is registered with the Office of Rent Control every year ($50 plus $10 per unit; $100 plus $20 per unit for each year late), and no vacant unit may be rented until it is registered and a Certificate of Habitability is issued. The registration stays effective while the occupancy and the information on it are unchanged. The City inspects each unit at least once every three years and at every change in occupancy. (Newark Code § 19:2-9.8)
Does Newark require an inspection or certificate before a new tenant moves in?
Before any change in occupancy of a dwelling unit, obtain a Certificate of Code Compliance: the owner or agent requests the inspection before the new tenant moves in, and the Office of Inspections and Enforcement issues the certificate once the unit meets the Housing Code. After the initial inspection the code calls for the unit to be inspected annually. (Newark Code § 18:6-10.1)
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 Essex County
- New Jersey landlord and tenant rules
- Housing data for Newark: rent, renters, home values
- Local rules in Belleville Township
- Local rules in Bloomfield Township
- Local rules in East Orange
- Local rules in Irvington Township
- Local rules in Maplewood Township
- Local rules in Montclair Township
- All renting rules by state
- Rentals by city