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

Section 145-4 of the Wayne Township Code sets the notice rules for rent increases in covered housing. The landlord must use the form approved or designated by the Rent Leveling Board, and the form must show the name of the complex; the tenant's name, address, telephone number, apartment number and number of rooms; the date the lease began and the date the tenant took possession; the present rent; the date and amount of the last increase; the dollar amount of the proposed increase; the prior lease period dates; the proposed total rent; and the itemized extraordinary charges.

Section 145-4F makes any permitted increase of no effect unless it is set out in a written notice in duplicate. Service is on the tenant, or a member of the immediate family 14 years of age or older who lives there, or by certified mail, return receipt requested. The notice must go out no later than 30 days before the effective date and must state the required form information with particularity.

Section 145-4I adds a mandatory sentence: "The Township Rent Leveling Ordinance bars any rental increase unless the apartment unit is in substantial compliance with the Housing Maintenance Code." A tenant can then report violations to the Health or Fire Official. Under § 145-4G, a tenant who does not want an extraordinary charge item, such as a garage or air conditioner, must tell the landlord within 30 days of receiving the notice, and extraordinary charges must be listed separately.

The complaint window runs from the effective date. Section 145-9C says any complaint about a rental increase must be filed with the Rent Leveling Board within 30 days after the increase goes into effect, and the landlord must advise the tenant in writing of that 30-day appeal right. A tenant application for reduced rent is heard within 45 days of receipt (§ 145-9D). Board decisions are appealed to the Township Council within 20 days.