Rental Property Rules in Clifton, NJ (2026)
4 verified rental property rules for Clifton, New Jersey, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Rent Control
Clifton caps rent for multiple dwellings of seven or more units under Chapter 363, limiting annual increases to 2% or 3% depending on whether the landlord provides heat. A five-member Rent Leveling Board administers hardship, capital-improvement and tax pass-through applications.
Clifton Rent Control for Multiple Dwellings
Significant RestrictionsClifton Code § 363-2
The rent for all multiple-dwelling units shall be governed by all of the terms and provisions of this chapter, and it shall be unlawful for any landlord of any multiple-dwelling unit to demand, receive or collect any rent for the same in excess of the base rent for such dwelling unit plus any cost-of-living increase, surcharge or base rent adjustment expressly permitted by the terms and provisi...
Rental Registration
Every owner and tenant of a Clifton dwelling unit must file a City dwelling certificate before a new lease, tenancy change or sale closes. Most changes of occupancy also trigger a City inspection, and the fee runs from $5 with no inspection required up to $300 for a rushed pre-sale inspection request.
Clifton Dwelling Certificate Required for Rentals
Some RestrictionsClifton Code § 210-2
§ 210-2. Dwelling certificate required; filing and contents. Every owner and/or tenant of a dwelling unit within the City of Clifton owned, leased, rented or otherwise occupied shall file with the City of Clifton a dwelling certificate on a form prescribed by the City of Clifton at the times set forth in this chapter. The owner and the tenant of the dwelling unit shall both certify as to the tr...
Rent Increase Notice
Landlords of regulated multiple dwellings in Clifton must wait a full 12 months between increases and notify the tenant in writing under state notice law before demanding more rent. The increase itself is capped at 2% or 3% depending on whether heat or air conditioning is furnished.
Clifton Rent Increase Notice to Tenant
Some RestrictionsClifton Code § 363-4
At the expiration of 12 consecutive calendar months following the effective date of the last previous rent increase for any dwelling unit subject to rent regulation under the terms of this chapter, a landlord who provides heat and/or air conditioning may demand, receive or collect an increase in rent for such unit, not to exceed 3%. A landlord who does not provide heat and/or air conditioning m...
Repairs & Habitability
Clifton law bars anyone from occupying or renting out a dwelling unit that lacks a working kitchen sink, a private bathroom with a flush toilet, lavatory and tub or shower, hot water reaching 120 degrees Fahrenheit, and a 30-inch-wide unobstructed exit, under Code § 273-8. Enforcement runs through the Health Officer and public officer.
Clifton Minimum Habitability Standards
Some RestrictionsClifton Code § 273-8
No person shall occupy as owner-occupant or let to another for occupancy any dwelling or dwelling unit, for the purpose of living, sleeping, cooking or eating therein which does not comply with the following requirements: A. Every dwelling unit shall contain a kitchen sink in good working condition and properly connected to a water and sewer system approved by the Health Officer. B. Every dwell...
Looking for Passaic County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Clifton city rules.
Rental Property Rules in Passaic County →