New Jersey Lease Renewal / Rent Increase Notice

Date of Notice: [[Date of Notice]]

TO (Tenant(s)): [[Tenant Full Legal Name(s)]]
[[Tenant Current Address / Premises, Unit if applicable]]
[[City]], New Jersey [[ZIP Code]]

FROM (Landlord / Owner or Authorized Agent): [[Landlord or Agent Full Legal Name]]
[[Landlord Mailing Address]]
[[City]], New Jersey [[ZIP Code]]
Phone: [[Landlord Phone]] | Email: [[Landlord Email]]

RE: Lease Renewal and/or Rent Increase Notice, Premises at [[Full Property Address]], [[City]], New Jersey [[ZIP Code]]

1. Purpose and Legal Requirements

This notice is provided pursuant to New Jersey law, including N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1 (Anti-Eviction Act) and related provisions governing termination of tenancy and rent increases.

Non-Renewal: New Jersey law generally requires a minimum of one (1) month's written notice to a tenant of the landlord's intent not to renew a lease or to terminate a month-to-month tenancy (subject to any longer period required by the lease, local ordinance, or court rule).

Rent Increases: Statewide, landlords must provide at least thirty (30) days' written notice of a rent increase. The increase must not be unconscionable under the Anti-Eviction Act. In municipalities with rent control or rent leveling ordinances (including but not limited to Newark, Jersey City, Hoboken, and others), additional restrictions, registration requirements, and longer notice periods may apply. Landlords must comply with all applicable local laws.

Retaliation Prohibited: Rent increases or non-renewal notices issued in retaliation for a tenant's exercise of legal rights (e.g., complaining about habitability, reporting code violations, organizing, or asserting rights under the lease or law) are prohibited and may be unenforceable. The Anti-Eviction Act provides protections against retaliatory eviction or rent increases.

This notice does not constitute a notice to quit for eviction purposes unless the tenant fails to vacate after proper non-renewal notice and the landlord later serves a separate notice to quit and files for eviction.

2. Current Lease / Tenancy Terms

Current Monthly Rent: $[[Current Monthly Rent]]

Rent Due Date: [[e.g., "1st day of each month"]]

Current Lease Term: From [[Current Lease Start Date]] to [[Current Lease End Date]] (or month-to-month since [[Conversion Date]])

Other Material Terms: [[e.g., "Utilities: tenant pays electric/gas; landlord pays water/sewer/trash", "Parking: 1 assigned space", "Pets: no pets without written consent", "Other: [[list key terms]]"]]

3. Proposed Action (Check All That Apply and Complete)

Option A, Lease Renewal at Same Terms (No Change) [ ] Landlord offers to renew the lease for a new term of [[Proposed Renewal Term Length, e.g., "one (1) year"]] beginning [[Proposed Renewal Start Date]] at the current monthly rent of $[[Current Monthly Rent]], on the same terms and conditions as the current lease (except as modified by any attached addendum).

Option B, Lease Renewal with Rent Increase [ ] Landlord offers to renew the lease for a new term of [[Proposed Renewal Term Length]] beginning [[Proposed Renewal Start Date]] at a new monthly rent of $[[Proposed New Monthly Rent]] (increase of $[[Increase Amount]] or [[Increase Percentage]]% from current rent).

Effective Date of Increase: [[Effective Date, must be at least 30 days after proper service of this notice]]

Justification / Basis for Increase (if required locally or for transparency): [[e.g., "Increased operating costs, property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and market conditions. The increase is not unconscionable."]]

Local Rent Control / Rent Leveling Flag:
[ ] This property is subject to local rent control or rent leveling ordinance in [[Municipality Name]]. Landlord is registered (if required): [[Registration Number or "N/A, not required"]]. The proposed increase complies with the applicable ordinance (or hardship application has been approved). Maximum allowable increase under local rules: [[% or $ amount]].
[ ] This property is not subject to local rent control in the jurisdiction where the Premises is located (to the best of Landlord's knowledge). Tenants should verify with the local rent control board or municipal clerk.

Option C, Non-Renewal / Termination of Tenancy [ ] Landlord does not intend to renew the lease or continue the tenancy beyond the current term (or after the notice period for month-to-month). Tenant must vacate the Premises on or before [[Vacate / Termination Date, at least 1 month after proper service]].

Reason (optional but recommended for clarity): [[e.g., "Landlord intends to sell the property", "Owner or immediate family member will occupy", "Substantial renovation", "Other lawful reason not prohibited by the Anti-Eviction Act"]]

Note: Non-renewal must comply with the Anti-Eviction Act and any applicable local rules. Certain grounds for non-renewal require specific procedures or approvals.

4. Tenant Response Options

Tenant may:
1. Accept the renewal offer (same terms or with increase) by signing and returning the attached acceptance or a written acceptance by [[Acceptance Deadline, e.g., 15-30 days before proposed start]].
2. Negotiate different terms in writing.
3. Decline and vacate by the date specified (for non-renewal) or at the end of the current term.
4. If a rent increase is proposed, Tenant may challenge the increase in court or before the local rent control board if it violates law or local ordinance (including claims that it is unconscionable under N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1(f)).

Failure to respond or to vacate after proper non-renewal notice may result in Landlord serving a notice to quit and filing for eviction in the Superior Court, Special Civil Part.

5. Method of Service and Proof

This notice is being served by (check and complete):

• [ ] Personal delivery to Tenant on [[Service Date]] at [[Time / Location]].
• [ ] Substituted service at the Premises on [[Service Date]] + mailing on [[Mail Date]].
• [ ] Posting in conspicuous place + mailing on [[Mail Date]].
• [ ] Certified mail, return receipt requested, mailed on [[Mail Date]] to Tenant at the Premises and any other known address.
• [ ] Other authorized method: [[Describe]].

Certificate of Service (to be completed by server):

I, [[Server Full Name]], certify that on [[Service Date]] at approximately [[Time]], I served this Lease Renewal / Rent Increase Notice on the above-named Tenant(s) by the method(s) indicated.

Server Signature: ___________________________________________ Date: [[Service Date]]

Printed Name / Title: [[Server Name / Landlord / Agent]]

6. Landlord Signature

Landlord or Authorized Agent

Signature: ___________________________________________ Date: [[Date of Notice]]

Printed Name: [[Landlord or Agent Full Legal Name]]

Title: [[e.g., Landlord / Property Manager]]

I certify that the information in this notice is true and accurate, that any proposed increase is not unconscionable, and that this notice is not issued in retaliation for any protected tenant activity.

7. Additional Disclosures and Attachments

Attachments (check all that apply):
- [ ] Proposed new lease or renewal addendum
- [ ] Copy of current lease (excerpts)
- [ ] Local rent control registration certificate or compliance statement
- [ ] Calculation or justification of increase (if required locally)
- [ ] Acceptance form for Tenant to sign and return
- [ ] Other: [[Describe]]

Rent Control / Registration Note: If the Premises is in a rent-controlled municipality, Landlord must be properly registered and may be required to provide proof of registration with any increase notice. Tenants may contact the local rent control board for information on allowable increases, complaints, and hearings.

8. Important Disclaimers and Tenant Protections

• This notice is not an eviction notice. If Tenant does not vacate after proper non-renewal, Landlord must serve a separate notice to quit (where required) and file in court to obtain possession.
• Rent increases must comply with the Anti-Eviction Act (not unconscionable) and any local rent control laws. Tenants may challenge unlawful increases.
• Retaliatory increases or non-renewals are prohibited. Tenants who believe this notice is retaliatory should consult counsel or the court.
• Certain tenants (e.g., in subsidized housing, Section 8, or under other federal programs) may have additional notice rights or protections.
• Local ordinances in many New Jersey cities impose stricter rules than state minimums. Always verify with the specific municipality.

LANDLORD COPY, RETAIN WITH PROOF OF SERVICE

9. Detailed Instructions for Landlord

1. Determine whether the tenancy is fixed-term or month-to-month and calculate the minimum notice required (30 days for increases; at least 1 month for non-renewal, longer if lease or local law requires).
2. Confirm whether the property is subject to rent control and comply with registration, notice, and percentage limits.
3. State the increase amount, percentage, effective date, and justification clearly. Avoid rounding or ambiguous language.
4. Serve properly and keep proof (certified mail receipt, photos, affidavits). Serve all adult tenants named on the lease.
5. Provide an acceptance form or clear instructions for how Tenant may accept the renewal.
6. If Tenant does not accept or vacate, follow up with proper notice to quit and court filing under the Anti-Eviction Act.
7. Document all communications. Do not increase rent or refuse renewal in retaliation for protected activity.
8. Consult the New Jersey Courts website and local rent control board for current forms, rules, and any recent changes.

10. Tenant Rights Summary (Informational)

Tenants receiving this notice may:
- Accept or decline the renewal offer in writing.
- Challenge a rent increase as unconscionable or in violation of local rent control.
- Remain in possession during any proper notice period.
- Assert retaliation or other defenses in court if Landlord later seeks eviction.
- Contact Legal Services of New Jersey, local tenant organizations, or private counsel.
- Request proof of any registration required by local ordinance.

This summary is not legal advice., -

*Sample template for New Jersey, not legal advice. Minimum 30 days' written notice required for rent increases (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1 and related). Minimum 1 month's notice for non-renewal of most residential tenancies. No statewide rent cap, but many municipalities (Newark, Jersey City, Hoboken, etc.) have local rent control/levelling ordinances that limit increases and require registration. Increases must not be unconscionable. Anti-Eviction Act protects against retaliatory actions. Verify compliance with current statutes, all applicable local ordinances, and court rules before use. As of 2026-06. User-supplied values are shown only in [[merge fields]].*

Quick Reference Table, NJ Lease Renewal / Rent Increase

Confirm local rules with the municipal rent control board or clerk before issuing any increase or non-renewal.