Passaic, NJ Rental Property Rules: Rent Increase Notice (2026)
Key Facts
- Notice period
- At least 30 days before increase
- Must itemize
- Old rent, increase, surcharges, effective date
- Certifications required
- Tenant registration + Property Maintenance Code compliance
- Added
- Sept. 2, 2025 by Ord. No. 2494-25
- Max penalty for violation
- $1,000 fine / 90 days jail
Summary
Passaic landlords covered by rent stabilization must give tenants at least 30 days' written notice before any rent increase, itemizing the old rent, the increase and any surcharges. The notice must also certify the landlord's compliance with tenant registration and the Property Maintenance Code, under Code § 231-25.
Any landlord seeking to increase rent under this chapter shall provide written notice to the affected tenant at least 30 days prior to the effective date of such increase. Such notice shall itemize the new rent demanded, including but not limited to, the previous base rent and any increase thereon, as well as any surcharges or other charges. Such notice will also include the previous rent paid for the unit, the effective date of the new rent, and cite the legal authority under this chapter permitting such increase. The notice shall include a certification by the landlord that the landlord is in compliance with the registration requirements of § 231-24, and a certification that the dwelling and housing unit is in substantial compliance with the applicable Property Maintenance Code of the City of Passaic (Chapter 219), its amendments and supplements thereto.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4978046; v41 updated 2026-07-01; through 07-01-2026).
Full Breakdown
§ 231-25, added September 2, 2025 by Ord. No. 2494-25, requires any landlord raising rent under Chapter 231 to notify the affected tenant in writing at least 30 days before the increase takes effect. The notice must itemize the new rent demanded, the previous base rent, the increase amount, any surcharges or other charges, the effective date, and cite the specific legal authority in Chapter 231 permitting the increase (§ 231-25A). and forward copies to the Rent Leveling Board before any increase is permitted), and that the dwelling is in substantial compliance with the City's Property Maintenance Code, Chapter 219 (§ 231-25B).
This notice duty sits alongside § 231-21's separate requirement that landlords distribute an annual rent allocation statement to each tenant on the tenant's lease anniversary date, using a form promulgated by the City Administration and available from the Rent Leveling Administrator's office, with copies kept on file and produced to the Administrator on request. Together, the two provisions mean a Passaic landlord cannot lawfully implement a rent increase without paperwork tying the increase to registration status, maintenance-code compliance and a specific cited authority.
Violations & Fines
Chapter 231 does not carry a separate fine schedule for § 231-25 notice defects; violations of Chapter 231's provisions generally, including a landlord's failure to give the required 30-day itemized notice or certifications, are punishable under § 231-14 by a fine of up to $1,000 or up to 90 days' imprisonment, or both, with each affected tenancy a separate violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much notice must a Passaic landlord give before raising rent?
What must the notice certify?
Is there a separate annual statement requirement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Passaic
Compare Passaic to another location·View the New Jersey rental property rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Rent Increase Notice in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Passaic County handle rent increase notice.