Rental Property Rules in Trenton, NJ (2026)
5 verified rental property rules for Trenton, New Jersey, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Rent Control
Trenton caps annual rent increases at 4% for regular tenants and 2% for senior citizen or disabled tenants at lease expiration, with a Rent Stabilization Board overseeing exceptions for tax hikes, capital improvements and financial hardship.
Trenton Rent Control and Rent Stabilization Board
Significant RestrictionsTrenton Code § 222-6
At the expiration or termination of a formal lease or a periodic tenancy, no landlord may receive a percentage increase in rent for that housing space from a regular tenant which is greater than four 4%, and 2% for a senior citizen tenant or disabled tenant For a periodic tenant whose base sum shall be less than one year, such tenant shall not be caused to pay any increase in any rent more than...
Just Cause Eviction
Trenton's Rent Control chapter bars landlords from evicting, refusing to renew, or otherwise retaliating against a tenant for petitioning the Rent Stabilization Board or exercising any right the chapter grants.
Trenton Rent Control Anti-Retaliation Protection
Some RestrictionsTrenton Code § 222-13
It shall be unlawful for any landlord to evict or fail to renew the lease of any tenant or to take any other steps whatsoever in reprisal regarding the performance of services or otherwise because of a tenant's petition for an order disallowing a proposed rent increase or because of the exercise of any other power or procedure provided herein, or in order to compel, induce or encourage a tenant...
Rental Registration
Trenton requires every nonoccupant owner of a rented structure to register annually with the Department of Inspections by March 1, paying $110 per structure plus $35 per dwelling unit, and to file detailed owner and agent contact information.
Trenton Nonoccupant Rental Property Registration
Significant RestrictionsTrenton Code § 132-79A(1)
§ 132-79. Registration. A. Required. (1) The nonoccupant owner of any structure which is let or rented to another for the purpose of living therein shall register such structure on a registration form to be provided by the Department of Inspections and shall pay an annual nonrefundable registration fee of $110 per structure plus $35 for each dwelling unit within the structure. Such a structure ...
Rent Increase Notice
Landlords seeking a rent increase above the yearly cap for a capital improvement must notify Trenton tenants at least 60 days before the increase takes effect, stating the dollar amount, and tenants can demand a hearing within 30 days.
Trenton Notice Required for Capital-Improvement Rent Hikes
Some RestrictionsTrenton Code § 222-10C
The landlord shall notify the tenants at least 60 days before the effective date of the increase. The notice shall include the amount of increase. The tenant may request a hearing within 30 days of receipt of notice from the landlord. Any increase may be approved prior to improvements being made, but the increase shall not take effect until after the improvements have been completed.
Repairs & Habitability
Trenton's Housing Code bars anyone from occupying or renting out a dwelling that fails its minimum standards for heat, hot water, plumbing, and pest control. The Chief Housing Inspector enforces the code and can condemn units that fall short.
Trenton Rental Housing Habitability Standards
Some RestrictionsTrenton Code §§ 132-24, 132-33
§ 132-24. Compliance required. No person shall occupy 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 requirements of this article. ... § 132-33. Heat requirements. Every dwelling, business and commercial building shall have supplied heating facilities which are properly installed, are ...
Looking for Mercer County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Trenton city rules.
Rental Property Rules in Mercer County →