Howell, NJ Rental Property Rules: Rent Increase Notice (2026)
Key Facts
- Notice to Board
- In writing, at least 60 days before the effective date
- Copy to tenants
- Served on each affected tenant at the same time
- Approval
- Written Rent Control Board approval before any increase
- Frequency cap
- One increase per landlord per park per calendar year
- Surcharge notice
- At least 30 days before a tax or sewer surcharge
- Penalty
- Up to $500 or 90 days, for each day
- Scope
- Mobile home parks only (Chapter 204, Article I)
Summary
In Howell Township, New Jersey, a mobile home park landlord must notify the Rent Control Board in writing at least 60 days before any rent increase takes effect and serve a copy on each affected tenant at the same time. No increase can be requested or received until the Board approves it in writing. The rule is Howell Township Code § 204-4B, adopted by the Township Council.
B. No landlord may request or receive of the tenants any increase in rental income or additional charges except as provided by this section until such time as the landlord shall have obtained approval in writing from the Rent Control Board, as hereinafter established, for said increase. Furthermore, there shall be only one increase granted per landlord per mobile home park per calendar year for any of the increases permitted by this section. The landlord shall notify the Rent Control Board in writing at least 60 days prior to the effective date of any increase proposed pursuant to the provisions of this article. At the same time, a copy of said notice shall be served upon any tenant who may be affected by the increase applied for. ... Where the increase sought is based upon the terms of Subsection A(1)(b) herein, no hearing shall be scheduled, and the increase shall become effective on the date specified in said notice, if all other applicable provisions of this article are complied with.
Full Breakdown
Howell Township Code § 204-4B is the notice rule. It sits in Chapter 204, Article I, the "Mobile Home Park Rent Stabilization Ordinance of the Township of Howell" (§ 204-2), and it binds the mobile home park operator, owner or other person leasing a mobile home or park space. A landlord cannot request or receive any increase in rental income or additional charges until the Rent Control Board has approved it in writing, and only one increase is granted per landlord per mobile home park per calendar year.
The landlord notifies the Board in writing at least 60 days before the effective date, and a copy goes to every tenant who can be affected at the same time. Under § 204-3, service means certified mail, return receipt requested, in-hand delivery certified by affidavit, or a signed acknowledgment of service.
The next step depends on the ground for the increase. Increases based on supplied utilities or on up to 5% of the previous twelve-month base rent get a Board hearing, and the landlord posts a notice of the hearing date in a conspicuous place in or about the park at least five days ahead. An increase based only on higher Township space or license fees gets no hearing and takes effect on the date in the notice if the article is otherwise followed. For the utility and percentage grounds, the notice must carry the landlord's and counsel's contact details, the managing agent and superintendent, the units and tenants affected, the base twelve-month rent, the increase in dollars and cents and as a percentage, and a certification of service with a statement that the tenant can apply to the Board for review. Proof of service in affidavit form goes to the Board's secretary.
Other notice clocks run beside the 60 days. A tax or sewer surcharge needs notice to tenants at least 30 days before it starts (§ 204-10). A hardship or capital-improvement application under § 204-12 must be filed at least 90 days before the effective date, tenants are served and a notice posted at least 10 days before the hearing, and a summary goes to each tenant within 10 days of filing.
Violations & Fines
A willful violation of the article or of a final Board order is punishable under § 204-21 by a fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both, for each day the violation continues. A violation affecting more than one mobile home space counts separately for each space. Under § 204-8, an increase at the wrong time, or above what the article authorizes, is void unless the Board approved it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 60-day notice rule apply to every rental in Howell Township?
Who gets the 60-day notice?
Can a landlord raise the rent in the middle of a tenancy?
How large can an increase on base rent be?
What can a tenant do if the notice or the math looks wrong?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Howell
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