Morristown rent control protects tenants in non-exempt rental units built before 1981, and the town’s Rent Leveling Department runs it. Under morristown rent control, yearly increases follow a CPI formula, but the town does not post the current percent.
Is Your Unit Covered by Morristown Rent Control?
Start with the year your building was built. The Rent Leveling Department says morristown rent control applies to rental units built before 1981. It covers non-exempt apartment buildings and multi-family homes. It also covers single-family homes and condo units rented out while the owner is away.
Some units are exempt. For example, the town has an “Application for Owner-Occupancy Exemption.” As a result, some owner-occupied homes may fall outside morristown rent control. However, the town’s web pages do not list every exemption. The full rules are in the Rent Control Ordinance, which is Chapter XIV of the Town Code. Based on how the town describes the program, units built in 1981 or later are not part of it.
To check a specific address, call Rent Leveling at (973) 292-6709. Every landlord with a covered unit must register it with the department every year. They must also register each time a new tenant moves in. Ask whether your unit is registered under morristown rent control. In most cases, the office can tell you quickly.
| Rule | What it says | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Which units | Non-exempt rental units built before 1981 | Morristown Rent Leveling Department |
| Types of housing | Apartment buildings, multi-family homes, and single-family homes or condos rented out while the owner is away | Morristown Rent Leveling Department |
| Registration | The owner registers every year and every time the tenancy changes | Morristown Rent Leveling Department |
| Yearly increase | Uses a CPI-based formula; Rent Leveling sets the amount each year | Rent Control Ordinance, Town Code Chapter XIV |
| Notice of increase | At least 60 days’ notice to the tenant and to Rent Leveling | Morristown Rent Leveling Department |
| Vacancy rule | Since 2005: after a voluntary move-out, the next rent can be set at market rate, and the new tenant is then protected | Decontrol/re-control provision of the ordinance |
| Capital improvements | The landlord needs permission first; routine maintenance never qualifies | Morristown Rent Leveling Department |
| New tenancy | The landlord needs a Certificate of Habitability before each new tenancy | Morristown Rent Leveling Department |
How Much Rent Can Go Up Under Morristown Rent Control
Morristown rent control does not use one fixed percent. Instead, the Rent Control Ordinance sets a formula based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Each year, the Rent Leveling Department works out the allowed increase. The town’s website does not post the current percent. As a result, call Rent Leveling at (973) 292-6709. Ask for the figure and the dates it covers for your renewal.
The notice rule matters just as much as the amount. Under morristown rent control, your landlord must notify you and the Division of Rent Leveling at least 60 days before an increase. If your landlord skipped that step, the increase may not be valid yet. Check with Rent Leveling before you pay the new amount.
A few extra charges are allowed only with approval. For example, a landlord who adds new amenities must get permission from Rent Leveling before adding a Capital Improvement Surcharge. Routine maintenance is never grounds for a surcharge, no matter how big or costly the work is. The town also posts sewer surcharge worksheets for 2026 and 2027. Ask the office whether a sewer surcharge applies to your unit.
Moving out changes things. Since 2005, the ordinance has had a decontrol/re-control rule. If a tenant moves out on their own, the landlord may charge the next tenant market rate. After that, the new tenant is protected by morristown rent control. New Jersey does not set one statewide rent cap, so this local ordinance is what protects you.
Eviction Protections in This City
Morristown rent control limits how much your rent can go up. However, the town’s rent leveling pages do not list reasons a landlord can evict. In New Jersey, eviction protection mainly comes from the state Anti-Eviction Act. Typically, that law means a landlord needs a legal reason, called “good cause,” to evict you. Only a court can order you to leave.
In most cases, a landlord cannot evict you for refusing a rent increase that breaks morristown rent control. For example, if you refused to pay an illegal increase, raise it with Rent Leveling and a lawyer right away. The town’s pages do not list any relocation payment amounts. If your landlord gives a no-fault reason, ask legal aid what notice and payments apply.
What to Do If Your Landlord Breaks the Rule
Your local office is the Rent Leveling Department. It is in Morristown Town Hall, 200 South Street, 3rd Floor, Senior Center, Morristown, NJ 07960. It is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. The phone number is (973) 292-6709. Call to set up a meeting with the Rent Leveling Officer.
To report a problem under morristown rent control, use the town’s Tenant Complaint Form. You can find it with the forms on the Morristown Rent Leveling page. Bring your lease and every rent increase notice. Bring proof of what you paid, like checks or bank records. Write down the date you got each notice. Keep copies of everything you hand in.
If you disagree with the Rent Leveling Manager’s decision, you can appeal. The Morristown Rent Leveling Board hears appeals about hardship increases, capital improvement surcharges, rent overcharges, and similar decisions. It has five members appointed by the Town Council, plus two alternates. It meets as needed, usually 1-2 times per year at Town Hall. Landlords can appeal too, so bring your records.
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If you are facing eviction, don’t wait for a morristown rent control decision. Call a local legal-aid office or a tenant attorney right away. Legal Services of New Jersey gives free help to many low-income renters. A lawyer can check whether your landlord followed the rules before your court date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does morristown rent control apply to my rented house or condo?
It can. The town says morristown rent control covers single-family homes and condo units rented out while the owner is away, if they were built before 1981 and are not exempt. Call Rent Leveling at (973) 292-6709 to check your address.
What is the allowed increase under morristown rent control right now?
The town sets it each year using a CPI-based formula. The current percent is not posted on the town’s website. Ask Rent Leveling for the figure and the dates it covers, and get the answer in writing if you can.
Can my landlord charge anything after I move out?
Only if you moved out on your own. Since 2005, the landlord can then set the next tenant’s rent at market rate. After that, the new tenant is protected again.
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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.