Maplewood’s rent control ordinance limits how much rent can be increased each year for certain residential properties. This page provides a general overview for landlords, tenants, and real estate professionals.

---

Properties Covered by Rent Control

Rent control in Maplewood applies to certain multi-unit residential properties.

The ordinance covers “multiple dwellings,” which generally means:

• Buildings with three or more rental units (Including Mixed Use Buildings)

Properties Not Covered

The following are not subject to rent control:

• Owner-occupied buildings with three units or fewer
• Buildings with fewer than three units
• Hotels, motels, and other transient occupancies

Vacancy and Rent Control

A qualifying rent-controlled apartment does not lose its rent-controlled status simply because a tenant moves out.

Prior to October 7, 2025

Before October 7, 2025, Maplewood's Rent Control Ordinance included a vacancy decontrol provision. When a tenant permanently vacated a rent-controlled unit, the landlord could establish a new initial rent for the incoming tenant. Once the new tenancy began, the unit remained subject to the Township's Rent Control Ordinance, and future rent increases were limited in accordance with the ordinance then in effect. Vacancy decontrol did not permanently remove a housing unit from rent control.

After October 7, 2025

Maplewood eliminated vacancy decontrol, meaning eligible rental units remain subject to the Township's Rent Control Ordinance after a vacancy.

This means:

• A landlord cannot reset the rent to market rate solely because a tenant vacates the unit.
• The apartment remains subject to Maplewood's rent control regulations.
• Future rent increases must continue to comply with the Township's Rent Control Ordinance, including the annual allowable increase and any approved surcharges. 

 

Annual Rent Increase Limits

The maximum allowable rent increase is based on inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Specifically, the ordinance limits increases to:

The average increase in CPI over the previous three calendar years

This method helps stabilize rent changes by smoothing out year-to-year fluctuations in inflation.

---

📈 Recent Allowable Rent Increases

Note: These percentages represent the maximum allowable increase under Township ordinance. Increases apply at the end of a lease term or tenancy period, not on a fixed calendar date.

---

🔍 How the Increase is Calculated

Rent increases are not based on a single year of CPI.

Instead:

1. The CPI percentage change is calculated for each of the past three years
2. Those three percentages are averaged
3. The result is the maximum allowable increase

---

🧾 What This Means

For Tenants

• Your rent cannot be increased beyond the allowable percentage unless approved by the Rent Board
• You have the right to challenge improper increases

For Landlords

• You may increase rent up to the allowable percentage upon lease renewal
• Increases above this amount require approval from the Rent Leveling Board

For Realtors and Property Owners

• Rent-controlled properties are subject to annual increase limits
• These limits should be considered when evaluating rental income potential

Services and Amenities

Landlords are generally required to maintain the same standards of services, maintenance, furnishings, equipment, and amenities that were provided when a tenant's lease began or are otherwise required by law or the lease agreement.

Examples may include:

• Parking spaces
• Laundry facilities
• Appliances provided by the landlord
• Storage areas
• Common areas and shared facilities
• Other services or amenities included with the rental

If a required service or amenity is reduced or removed, a tenant may submit an application to the Rent Leveling Board to request appropriate relief.

---

📌 Additional Increases

In certain cases, additional increases may be permitted, including:

• Hardship increases (if operating costs exceed allowable returns)
• Capital improvement surcharges (for major building upgrades)
• Property tax surcharges based on actual tax increases

These typically require documentation and, in some cases, approval from the Rent Leveling Board.

---

⚠️ Important Information

• Not all properties are subject to rent control
• The ordinance applies primarily to buildings with three or more rental units, with certain exceptions
• This page is for general informational purposes only

---

📎 Questions or Assistance

For questions regarding rent increases, filings, or tenant rights, please contact the Township Clerk's Office or the Rent Leveling Board.