Hoboken, NJ Rental Property Rules: Rent Increase Notice (2026)

Section 155-4 requires any landlord seeking an increase under Chapter 155 to notify the tenant in writing at least 30 days before the increase's effective date, explaining in detail the reason for the increase, and to report all imposed increases to the Rent Leveling and Stabilization Board. For a regular cost-of-living increase under Section 155-5, Section 155-26 adds a substantive condition on top of that notice: the landlord must include in the notice of increase a certification, signed by the landlord or a qualified Division of Health inspector, that the dwelling is in substantial compliance with the Hoboken Building Code, Housing Code, Fire Prevention Code and the state Property Maintenance Code.

A notice served without that certification is invalid, the tenant may refuse to pay the increase without a Board proceeding, and the landlord must serve a corrected second notice before collecting anything; the increase then runs only from the date in that second notice. A tenant who doubts the certificate's accuracy may file a complaint with the Rent Leveling Board while continuing to pay the increase during the case, and the Board can rescind the increase and order withheld amounts refunded if the dwelling was not actually in compliance.

Separately, Section 155-9 governs notice for a rental surcharge application, such as for a capital improvement, tax, or water and sewer surcharge: the landlord must serve each tenant, by registered or certified mail or personal service, a notice of the application setting out the basis, the dollar amount sought, and the calculations, filing a sample copy and proof of service with the Board before any surcharge hearing proceeds.