Rent Leveling
Mission & Purpose
RENT LEVELING DIVISION
This division assists landlords and tenants in understanding the impact the Municipal Code Chapter 218, Rent Control & Conversion General Ordinances may have on their properties and apartments. Technical assistance is provided on a wide variety of rental issues which cover such matters as: which apartments are subject to local rent control laws; what is legal base rent; what rent increases the law permits; capital improvement surcharges; hardship increases; vacancy decontrol; annual registration and rental increase requirements. Files on rent control residential properties are maintained for public inspection if owners and/or tenants have questions regarding a particular property.
RENT LEVELING BOARD
In conjunction with the Rent Control Office the Board review appeals and mediates tenant and landlord petitions primarily with respect to adjustment of rents, uphold City Ordinances, and pass resolutions under the City's rent leveling laws.
The Rent Leveling Board cannot arbitrate matters that are not part of Chapter 218, Rent Control & Conversion General Ordinances of the City of East Orange. The local law does not address many other aspects of landlord-tenant relationships. For example, we do not have jurisdiction to adjudicate alleged breaches of a rental agreement, which must be decided in the appropriate court. The Rent Leveling Board also cannot hear cases concerning issues of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, as such matters are outside of our jurisdiction. On the Rent Control web page listed resources there are listings of organization for help resolving these kinds of problems.
The Rent Leveling Board provides counseling information on subjects that are covered by the Rent Ordinance ONLY. Please understand that our staff CANNOT provide legal advice and have been directed to let you know when your question is one that should correctly be answered by counsel. Please note that you do not heed a lawyer to file a petition with the Rent Leveling Board.
The Rent Leveling Board cannot arbitrate matters that are not part of Chapter 218, Rent Control & Conversion General Ordinances of the City of East Orange. The local law does not address many other aspects of landlord-tenant relationships. For example, we do not have jurisdiction to adjudicate alleged breaches of a rental agreement, which must be decided in the appropriate court. The Rent Leveling Board also cannot hear cases concerning issues of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, as such matters are outside of our jurisdiction. On the Rent Control web page listed resources there are listings of organization for help resolving these kinds of problems.
The Rent Leveling Board provides counseling information on subjects that are covered by the Rent Ordinance ONLY. Please understand that our staff CANNOT provide legal advice and have been directed to let you know when your question is one that should correctly be answered by counsel. Please note that you do not heed a lawyer to file a petition with the Rent Leveling Board.
Submitting Applications (Click Here for Forms & Applications)
All applications must be submitted in person to the Department of Property Maintenance located at:
East Orange City Hall
44 City Hall Plaza, 3rd floor
East Orange, NJ 07018
Paying Application Fees
Any associated fees must be made payable to the City of East Orange by:
- Certified check
- Money order
Notice
No cash is accepted for the payment of associated fees.
IMPORTANT NOTICES:
The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Section 8 housing voucher statewide waiting list is open. The DCA will accept applications for this waiting list from January 17, 2023 9:00 AM until February 3, 2023 5:00 PM. For online application click here