camden rent control has been law since March 12, 1981, when City Council adopted Ordinance No. MC-1719. Under camden rent control, the yearly allowed increase is tied to the Consumer Price Index for the Philadelphia metro area. As of September 28, 2026, the city’s rent control page does not post the current percent. As a result, you should confirm the exact figure for your renewal date with the Bureau of Rent Control.
Is Your Unit Covered by Camden Rent Control?
Start with one simple question: is your apartment covered? The city’s Rent Control page says the office helps renters learn “which apartments are subject to local rent control laws.” However, the page does not list which buildings are exempt. It does not give a cutoff by year built or by number of units.
That gap matters. Many New Jersey rent control towns exempt some buildings, such as newer construction or small owner-occupied homes. However, Camden’s exact exemptions must be confirmed with the Bureau of Rent Control. Do not assume you are covered or left out until you ask.
Here is the good news. The city keeps files on all residential properties for public inspection. For example, you can ask to see your building’s file. It can show whether your unit falls under camden rent control and what the legal base rent is. The table below sums up what the city’s own page says about camden rent control.
| Rule | What it says | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Local law | Ordinance No. MC-1719, adopted March 12, 1981 | City of Camden Rent Control page |
| Office powers | Set out in § 650-12 of the Code of the City of Camden | City of Camden Rent Control page |
| Which units are covered | Not listed online; must be confirmed with the Bureau of Rent Control | Bureau of Rent Control |
| Yearly increase | Based on the Consumer Price Index for the Philadelphia metro area, published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; current percent not posted as of September 28, 2026 | City of Camden Rent Control page |
| When rent can go up | Not during your lease; the lease must end first | City of Camden Rent Control page |
| Extra charges | Tax surcharges, water/sewer surcharges, major new improvement surcharges, and hardship increases | City of Camden Rent Control page |
| Landlord registration | The office handles annual landlord registration | City of Camden Rent Control page |
How Much Rent Can Go Up Under Camden Rent Control
Under camden rent control, the yearly raise follows the Consumer Price Index for the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania metro area. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes that index. Because the index changes, the allowed percent changes too. As of September 28, 2026, the city does not post the percent for the current period. As a result, call or visit the Bureau and ask for the figure that applies to your renewal date.
Timing matters just as much as the amount. The city says a landlord cannot raise your rent during your lease. For example, if you signed a one-year lease, the rent stays the same for that year. To raise it, the landlord must wait until the lease is about to end. Then the landlord must take steps to end the lease first. The city’s page does not list the required notice period, so confirm it with the Bureau.
Watch for add-on charges, too. Camden rent control allows some surcharges on top of the yearly raise. The city lists tax surcharges, water/sewer surcharges, major new improvement surcharges, and hardship increases. Ask the Bureau whether your landlord needs city approval before adding any of these. New Jersey has no statewide rent cap. As a result, the local ordinance is the rule that limits your raise.
Eviction Protections in This City
New Jersey’s Anti-Eviction Act protects most renters statewide. In most cases, a landlord needs a legal reason, called “good cause,” to evict you. The landlord also needs a court order. A landlord cannot lock you out, remove your things, or shut off utilities on their own. Camden rent control works alongside this state law. It does not replace it.
What about a raise you think breaks camden rent control? Typically, a landlord cannot evict you for refusing an increase that the law does not allow. However, you should still pay the legal part of your rent on time. Keep proof of every payment. The city’s page does not list any relocation payment amounts for no-fault evictions. Ask the Bureau of Rent Control or a legal-aid office whether any apply to you.
For an active eviction, get help fast. Legal Services of New Jersey and South Jersey Legal Services help many low-income renters in Camden County. You may be able to get free advice or a lawyer. Check with your court or a local legal-aid office about your options.
What to Do If Your Landlord Breaks the Rule
Your main stop is the Bureau of Rent Control. It is in City Hall, Room 101, 520 Market Street, Camden, NJ 08102. The city lists “Tenant Complaints” as one of its services. The office also acts as a mediator between landlords and tenants. For example, it can explain your legal base rent and what raises the law permits. The city’s main City Hall phone line is 856-757-7000.
Bring paperwork when you go. Take your lease and your rent receipts or bank records. Bring any written notice of a rent increase. Also bring texts or emails from your landlord about rent. In addition, ask to see your building’s file and registration record. That file can show whether the landlord followed camden rent control rules.
Keep a simple log of dates, calls, and who you spoke with. If the office finds an illegal raise, ask what happens to money you already overpaid. However, if you face eviction or a lockout, do not wait on the complaint. Call legal aid or a tenant attorney the same day. Camden rent control complaints and court cases can run on separate tracks.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the allowed rent increase in Camden for 2026?
The increase under camden rent control follows the Philadelphia-area Consumer Price Index. As of September 28, 2026, the city’s page does not post the current percent. Confirm the exact figure for your renewal date with the Bureau of Rent Control.
Can my landlord raise my rent in the middle of my lease?
No. The city says rent cannot go up during your lease. The landlord must wait until the lease is about to end and take steps to end it first.
How do I find out if my building is covered?
Visit the Bureau of Rent Control in City Hall, Room 101. The office keeps files on all residential properties for public inspection. Ask to see your building’s file and whether it falls under camden rent control.
Protect your stuff while you sort this out
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Find Your State’s Exact Rules
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Sources & How to Verify
The rules on this page are drawn from official government and legal-aid sources. Tenant law changes, so always confirm the exact rule with your state’s statute or a local legal-aid office.
- HUD: hud.gov — federal renter protections and fair housing
- Legal Services Corporation: lsc.gov — find free legal aid in your state
- Cornell Legal Information Institute: law.cornell.edu/wex — plain-English legal definitions
- Your state statute & court self-help portal: search “[your state] landlord tenant act” and “[your state] court self-help eviction” for the exact law and forms
Content last reviewed September 2026. If you notice outdated information, please contact us.
New Jersey Renter Guides
- New Jersey Eviction Process
- New Jersey Tenant Rights
- New Jersey Security Deposit Law
- New Jersey Rent Increase Laws
- New Jersey Repairs and Habitability
- Breaking a Lease in New Jersey
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Informational only — not legal advice. Tenant Rights Info is an independent educational resource, not a law firm, and this page does not provide legal advice. Landlord-tenant law varies by state and city and changes over time, so always verify the exact rule with your state’s statute, your local court’s self-help portal, or a legal-aid office. For urgent situations like an active eviction, contact a local legal-aid office or a licensed tenant attorney in your state right away.