Local landlord and tenant rules in Union City, New Jersey
Union City, New Jersey has local rules on rent regulation (Union City Code ch. 334, §§ 334-2, 334-10, 334-16, 334-20 (Ord. 2017-22)), rental registration (Union City Code ch. 329 (Rental Property), art. IV, §§ 329-21 to 329-23), inspections before a new tenant (Union City Code §§ 329-4, 329-21) and 1 more kind of rule, on top of New Jersey law.
Local rules in Union City, New Jersey
Rent regulation
In Union City the annual increase on a covered unit is the lesser of 3% or the CPI change (New York–Northern New Jersey) for the twelve months before the notice — the lesser of 2% or the CPI for a qualified senior tenant — and all increases together may not exceed 15% in twelve months. Buildings of three or fewer units are not covered, nor are owner-occupied four-family buildings (with the owner’s affidavit) or five- and six-unit buildings owner-occupied when the 2017 ordinance passed. Register each covered building every twelve months on the anniversary of its permitted increase, give each new tenant the registration information before the tenancy begins, and in a building of five or more units report a vacancy that lasts 90 days and re-rent within 90 days.
Source: Union City Code ch. 334, §§ 334-2, 334-10, 334-16, 334-20 (Ord. 2017-22). Checked on November 11, 2026.
Office: Union City Rent Control Office, (201) 348-5734.
Rental registration
The landlord of a Union City building of three or more homes must file a certificate, in duplicate, with the Department of Health’s Housing Division for every tenancy: each tenant’s name and the ages of any occupants under 18, the floor and apartment, the number of rooms, the landlord’s and the superintendent’s names, addresses and telephone numbers, and, for a new tenant, the monthly rent. It is signed by the landlord and certified by the tenant, and is due 14 days before a new tenant moves in, or the same day the tenant accepts the apartment if that is later. Rooming houses, hotels and public housing are excluded.
Source: Union City Code ch. 329 (Rental Property), art. IV, §§ 329-21 to 329-23. Checked on November 12, 2026.
Union City tenant certificate 14 days before a new tenant
In a building of three or more units, file the tenant certificate in duplicate with the Department of Health, Housing Division, 14 days before a new tenant moves in (or the same day the tenant accepts, when it is later) — each occupant's name, the ages of anyone under 18, the unit, the rooms and the monthly rent, signed by the landlord and certified by the tenant. In any building of two or more rental units, give each new tenant a copy of the certificate of registration filed with the Rent Stabilization Board (§ 329-1), and amend that certificate within 20 days of any change.
Source: Union City Code §§ 329-4, 329-21. Checked on November 4, 2026.
Other landlord obligations
Every Union City building of three or more rented apartments must have a building superintendent available on the premises at all times, tenants must be told who that person is and how to reach them, and the owner registers the superintendent’s name with the City Clerk. A building of 100 or more units must also keep a management office on site with its hours posted, and one of 150 or more units a door attendant or security in the lobby around the clock. The owner of any rented building must post an ownership notice in the common area by the main entrance, and the owner or manager of a building of six or more units must post the Tenants’ Bill of Rights in the lobby or entrance and the mailroom.
Source: Union City Code ch. 329 (Rental Property), art. V, §§ 329-24 to 329-30; art. VIII, § 329-39. Checked on November 12, 2026.
New Jersey rules that apply in Union City
| 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 Union City
80.9% of the occupied homes in Union City are rented, about 20,818 households, a share higher than across New Jersey (36.2%).
The median gross rent is $1,537 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.
53.3% of renters there pay 30% or more of their income on rent.
71.3% of the homes were built before 1980, and the federal lead-paint disclosure rule covers housing built before 1978.
| Union City | Hudson County | New Jersey | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that rent | 80.9% (±2.0 points) | 69.3% | 36.2% |
| Median gross rent | $1,537 (±$48) | $1,894 | $1,720 |
| Renters paying 30% or more of income on rent | 53.3% (±3.2 points) | 46.4% | 51.6% |
| Median income of renter households | $55,349 (±$3,061) | $75,879 | $62,674 |
| Homes built before 1980 | 71.3% (±3.9 points) | 61.9% | 62.8% |
| Homes in buildings of five or more units | 56.1% (±3.9 points) | 52.7% | 21.8% |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.2% (±0.9 points) | 4.4% | 3.5% |
| Households that moved in since 2020 | 23.3% (±2.4 points) | 33.0% | 21.2% |
All housing figures for Union City: 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 Union City
Rent control office: Union City Rent Control Office, (201) 348-5734.
Questions about Union City’s local rules
Does Union City have rent control?
In Union City the annual increase on a covered unit is the lesser of 3% or the CPI change (New York–Northern New Jersey) for the twelve months before the notice — the lesser of 2% or the CPI for a qualified senior tenant — and all increases together may not exceed 15% in twelve months. Buildings of three or fewer units are not covered, nor are owner-occupied four-family buildings (with the owner’s affidavit) or five- and six-unit buildings owner-occupied when the 2017 ordinance passed. Register each covered building every twelve months on the anniversary of its permitted increase, give each new tenant the registration information before the tenancy begins, and in a building of five or more units report a vacancy that lasts 90 days and re-rent within 90 days. (Union City Code ch. 334, §§ 334-2, 334-10, 334-16, 334-20 (Ord. 2017-22))
How much can a landlord raise the rent in Union City?
In Union City the annual increase on a covered unit is the lesser of 3% or the CPI change (New York–Northern New Jersey) for the twelve months before the notice — the lesser of 2% or the CPI for a qualified senior tenant — and all increases together may not exceed 15% in twelve months. (Union City Code ch. 334, §§ 334-2, 334-10, 334-16, 334-20 (Ord. 2017-22))
Do landlords have to register rentals in Union City?
The landlord of a Union City building of three or more homes must file a certificate, in duplicate, with the Department of Health’s Housing Division for every tenancy: each tenant’s name and the ages of any occupants under 18, the floor and apartment, the number of rooms, the landlord’s and the superintendent’s names, addresses and telephone numbers, and, for a new tenant, the monthly rent. It is signed by the landlord and certified by the tenant, and is due 14 days before a new tenant moves in, or the same day the tenant accepts the apartment if that is later. Rooming houses, hotels and public housing are excluded. (Union City Code ch. 329 (Rental Property), art. IV, §§ 329-21 to 329-23)
Does Union City require an inspection or certificate before a new tenant moves in?
In a building of three or more units, file the tenant certificate in duplicate with the Department of Health, Housing Division, 14 days before a new tenant moves in (or the same day the tenant accepts, when it is later) — each occupant's name, the ages of anyone under 18, the unit, the rooms and the monthly rent, signed by the landlord and certified by the tenant. In any building of two or more rental units, give each new tenant a copy of the certificate of registration filed with the Rent Stabilization Board (§ 329-1), and amend that certificate within 20 days of any change. (Union City Code §§ 329-4, 329-21)
What else does Union City require of landlords?
Every Union City building of three or more rented apartments must have a building superintendent available on the premises at all times, tenants must be told who that person is and how to reach them, and the owner registers the superintendent’s name with the City Clerk. A building of 100 or more units must also keep a management office on site with its hours posted, and one of 150 or more units a door attendant or security in the lobby around the clock. The owner of any rented building must post an ownership notice in the common area by the main entrance, and the owner or manager of a building of six or more units must post the Tenants’ Bill of Rights in the lobby or entrance and the mailroom. (Union City Code ch. 329 (Rental Property), art. V, §§ 329-24 to 329-30; art. VIII, § 329-39)
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.