Not legal advice. This is a free reference compiled from official government sources. Laws change and local details matter. Confirm every deadline with the official source or a licensed attorney before you rely on it.
Annual rental unit registration with Office of Rent Control; certificate of habitability before renting Verified
Deadline: Every year from the registration date
Register every rental unit with Newark's Office of Rent Control each year, and do not rent a vacant unit until it is registered and has a certificate of habitability; give tenants a copy of the certificate.
Who it covers: All existing and future dwelling units incl. short-term rentals (exemptions: public housing, transient hotel/motel, commercial, qualifying new construction/vacant/rehab, certain subsidized units). Fee: $50 plus $10 per unit annually. Amend within 20 days of changes. Municipal taxes/water/sewer must be current. Separate from (and in addition to) the state N.J.S.A. 46:8-28 landlord registration.
"The Rent Control Board shall require registration of all existing and future dwelling units, including short-term rentals, with the Office of Rent Control or designee." ecode360.com
"Registration shall be completed on an annual basis." ecode360.com
"No unrented unit shall be rented unless and until the rental unit is registered and a certificate of habitability is issued in accordance with this chapter." ecode360.com
"Annual Registration; $50 plus $10 per dwelling unit." ecode360.com
Notes: Newark Code §19:2-9.8 and fee schedule. The code does not state a fixed calendar due date. Adds to NJ state registration. Newark Code Ch. 19:2 (Rent Control) as published on ecode360, amended through Ord. 6PSF-B (5-20-2026). newarknj.gov DocumentCenter PDFs (landlord registration form, FAQ, registration ordinance) returned HTTP 403 to curl.
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction
City inspection of each rental unit every 3 years or at change of occupancy Verified
Deadline: Every 3 years from the last inspection; also: change in occupancy
Starting with the next yearly registration after May 2026, allow the City to inspect each rental unit at least once every three years or whenever the occupancy changes; a failed inspection blocks the certificate of habitability.
Who it covers: All registered rental units; lead-based paint inspection included for pre-1978 dwellings under §16:3-20. $50/unit inspection fee; no inspection fee for owner-occupied units. Inspections must be by the City's authorized inspectors.
"With the next yearly registration after the adoption of this section of the Rent Control Ordinance, the owner shall permit the City to inspect each rental unit at least once every three years or upon a change in occupancy of the unit." ecode360.com
"Failure of owner to renew every three years or upon change of tenant: $100 fee per unit until registration is updated." ecode360.com
Notes: §19:2-25 (added 5-20-2026). Parallels the NJ state lead-safe 3-year/turnover cycle. Newark Code Ch. 19:2 (Rent Control) as published on ecode360, amended through Ord. 6PSF-B (5-20-2026). newarknj.gov DocumentCenter PDFs (landlord registration form, FAQ, registration ordinance) returned HTTP 403 to curl.
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction
Rent increase: 30 days' written notice to tenant and Rent Regulation Officer; capped at CPI, max 4% Verified
Deadline: At least 30 days before the rent increase takes effect
Give the tenant and the Rent Regulation Officer written notice at least 30 days before a rent increase. Annual increases are limited to the CPI change (never above 4%) and are barred if the unit isn't registered or in substantial compliance.
Who it covers: Units covered by Newark rent control. Increases only at lease expiration/termination of periodic tenancy, once per 12 months, and only if registered and in substantial compliance.
"Any landlord seeking a rental increase pursuant to this section shall give the Rent Regulation Officer and the affected tenant written notice of the proposed increase at least 30 days in advance." ecode360.com
"In no case shall the allowable rent increase exceed 4%." ecode360.com
Notes: §19:2-3.1, 3.2. Overrides/adds to NJ state law (state has no rent cap). Newark Code Ch. 19:2 (Rent Control) as published on ecode360, amended through Ord. 6PSF-B (5-20-2026). newarknj.gov DocumentCenter PDFs (landlord registration form, FAQ, registration ordinance) returned HTTP 403 to curl.
Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction
File before renting (no eviction allowed while unregistered); amend within 20 days after any change; notify tenants within 7 days of filing an amendment