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.

📊 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

Year Applied Allowed Increase CPI (Annual Average)
2020 1.84% 278.164
2021 1.76% 282.920
2022 2.23% 292.303
2023 3.71% 310.141
2024 4.41% 321.998
2025 4.57% 334.209
2026 3.67% 345.511

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

📌 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.