Clifton, NJ Rental Property Rules: Rent Increase Notice (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum interval between increases
- 12 consecutive months
- Notice requirement
- Written notice per N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1
- Cap with heat/AC provided
- 3%
- Cap without heat/AC
- 2%
- Overcharge claim window
- 2 years from claim date
- Overcharge filing fee
- $10 (refundable if successful)
Summary
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.
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 may demand, receive or collect an increase in rent for such unit, not to exceed 2%. ... Any landlord seeking an increase in rent pursuant to the provisions of § 363-14A shall notify the tenant, in writing, in accordance with the requirements set forth in N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4963532; v64 updated 2026-07-21; through 07-21-2026).
Full Breakdown
Section 363-4 of the Clifton Code governs how and when a rent increase for a regulated multiple-dwelling unit takes effect. At the expiration of 12 consecutive calendar months following the effective date of the last previous increase, a landlord who provides heat and/or air conditioning may raise rent by no more than 3%; a landlord who does not provide either may raise it by no more than 2%. The Municipal Council reviews and may adjust that percentage annually, weighing but not being bound by the regional Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers.
A. 1, the state statute governing notice to quit and related tenancy notices, rather than a separately drafted municipal notice period. Section 363-3 backs this timing rule with an outright ban on collecting an unauthorized increase, meaning any increase demanded more often than once every 12 months, or above the 2%/3% cap, is unlawful regardless of whether notice was given. A tenant who believes an increase was unauthorized may bring a claim to the Rent Leveling Board, but that claim is limited to a period of two years before the date the claim is filed. A. 1 for the specific written-notice mechanics that Section 363-4B incorporates by reference.
Violations & Fines
Collecting rent above the authorized increase, or more often than once every 12 months, violates Section 363-3 and exposes the landlord to the Chapter 363 penalty in Section 363-18: a fine up to $500, up to 90 days' imprisonment, or both, with each affected leasehold treated as a separate offense. Tenants may also bring an overcharge complaint to the Rent Leveling Board for a $10 filing fee, refundable if the complaint succeeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much written notice must a Clifton landlord give before raising rent?
Can a Clifton landlord raise rent twice in one year?
What happens if a landlord collects an unauthorized increase?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clifton
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Rent Increase Notice in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Passaic County handle rent increase notice.