Local landlord and tenant rules in Princeton, New Jersey
Princeton, New Jersey has local rules on rental registration (Princeton Office of Rental Housing Inspections), on top of New Jersey law.
Local rules in Princeton, New Jersey
Princeton rental registration and two-year Certificate of Compliance
Rental properties are registered with the Office of Rental Housing Inspections, and single- and two-family rentals are inspected every two years for a Certificate of Compliance valid two years from the inspection, whatever tenant changes happen in between. A new owner registers again. The smoke and carbon monoxide certificate is still needed at every change of occupancy, from the Princeton Bureau of Fire Safety.
Source: Princeton Office of Rental Housing Inspections. Checked on November 4, 2026.
New Jersey rules that apply in Princeton
| 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 Princeton
44.6% of the occupied homes in Princeton are rented, about 4,151 households, a share higher than across New Jersey (36.2%).
The median gross rent is $2,636 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.
36.0% of renters there pay 30% or more of their income on rent.
63.8% of the homes were built before 1980, and the federal lead-paint disclosure rule covers housing built before 1978.
| Princeton | Mercer County | New Jersey | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that rent | 44.6% (±3.9 points) | 37.8% | 36.2% |
| Median gross rent | $2,636 (±$281) | $1,623 | $1,720 |
| Renters paying 30% or more of income on rent | 36.0% (±6.1 points) | 50.0% | 51.6% |
| Median income of renter households | $106,694 (±$24,476) | $61,039 | $62,674 |
| Homes built before 1980 | 63.8% (±6.0 points) | 64.2% | 62.8% |
| Homes in buildings of five or more units | 22.8% (±3.6 points) | 23.1% | 21.8% |
| Households that moved in since 2020 | 29.5% (±4.0 points) | 21.8% | 21.2% |
All housing figures for Princeton: 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.
Questions about Princeton’s local rules
Do landlords have to register rentals in Princeton?
Rental properties are registered with the Office of Rental Housing Inspections, and single- and two-family rentals are inspected every two years for a Certificate of Compliance valid two years from the inspection, whatever tenant changes happen in between. A new owner registers again. The smoke and carbon monoxide certificate is still needed at every change of occupancy, from the Princeton Bureau of Fire Safety. (Princeton Office of Rental Housing Inspections)
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.