Rent Leveling Board Members:
Naomi Riley, President
Steven Lella, Vice President
Jim Manning, Member
Wendel Thomas, Member
Jim Webb, Member
Gene Anthony, Rent Leveling Board Attorney
Dainene Roberts, Rent Leveling Board Secretary
NEPTUNE TOWNSHIP’S RENT LEVELING BOARD/ PROTECTIVE TENANCY ORDINANCE WITH AMENDEMENTS
Rules and Regulations- Amended 11/02/2023
FORMS & APPLICATIONS
Letter to Landlords
Vacancy Decontrol Application Form
Landlord Notice of Rent Increase to Tenant Form
Tenant Complaint Form
Hardship Application
Capital Improvement
Rent Increase Calculator
For any assistance with the forms/ applications or general inquiries, please contact the Rent Leveling Board Secretary, Dainene Roberts, by email droberts@neptunetownship.org, or by phone 732-988-5200 x 235
Township of Neptune Rent Leveling Board
The Neptune Township Committee in August of 2013 created the Rent Leveling Board within the Township of Neptune and regulates apartment complexes with five or more units and mobile homes. A copy of the ordinance (with amendments) can be found at www.neptunetownship.org at the Rent Control Board page.
The powers granted to the Rent Leveling Board are advisory powers and its actions shall be subject to a review of the record of the board’s proceedings by the governing body of Neptune Township upon an appropriate appeal.
In the event a landlord fails to provide and maintain the same standards of service and maintenance in the rental space and common areas during the term of a lease, a tenant can file a complaint with the Rent Leveling Board to petition the Board for a rent reduction.
In addition, a tenant can file a complaint in the event a rent increase was implemented with less than sixty (60) days notice and/or the rent increase was higher than the allowable rent percentage increase.
To file a complaint or if you have any questions about filing a complaint please contact the Rent Leveling Board Secretary by email or phone
WHAT IS THE NEPTUNE TOWNSHIP RENT LEVELING BOARD?
The Neptune Township Rent Leveling Board is made up of volunteer citizens who hear complaints by tenants and requests for capital improvement surcharges and hardship increases by landlords. Any tenant who receives an illegal rent increase or reduced services can file a complaint with the Rent Leveling Board.
WHO IS PROTECTED?
Residents who live in a housing space or dwelling including condominiums and cooperative units (or in any particular complex), or an apartment where there are five (5) units are more, owned by the same the same owner. Residents who dwell in mobile homes are also protected.
Exempt: motels, hotels and similar type buildings; bed
and breakfast facilities, guesthouses; commercial buildings with regard to commercial
rentals; owner-occupied with four (4) units or less rental units; single-family structures
and housing structures in general with four (4) rental units or less.
Housing units newly constructed and rented for the first time are exempt, with regards to tenant’s first year rental. That is the initial rent may be determined by the landlord but all subsequent rents will be subject to the provisions of this section, subject further to any State Statute such as N.J.S.A. 2A:42-84.2, which may provide a temporary exemption fornewly constructed multiple dwellings
HOW ARE TENANTS PROTECTED?
· RENT: After a tenant moves into an apartment and receives his or her base rent, future rents cannot be increased by more than the Consumer Price Index (CPI), as calculated by the local Rent Control Ordinance. The CPI varies every month, but in recent months it has been between 0% to 2%.
· REDUCED SERVICES: A tenant who receives reduced services from what he or she is accustomed to, such as reduced air conditioning or heat, bad plumbing, etc., may file a complaint before the Neptune Township Rent Leveling Board and receive a rent reduction for those months in which there is a reduced service.
WHAT ARE THE RIGHTS OF LANDLORDS
A landlord can obtain a capital improvement surcharge for major capital improvements to the apartment complex or a hardship increase for major hardships; subject to review and approval by the Neptune Township Rent Leveling Board.
WHAT IS THE COMPLAINT PROCEDURE?
If a tenant is aggrieved or a landlord seeks an increase, please visit the Neptune Township Municipal Building at 25 Neptune Blvd., Neptune Township. The Rent Leveling Board Secretary is located at the Administrative Department. Please inquire to seek information about filing a complaint and/or filling out a complaint form with the Rent Leveling Board Secretary, who will then file the same with the Rent Leveling Board.
· Please be advised that the Rent Leveling Board Secretary or Attorney will help the tenant or landlord file a complaint, fill out all forms, and assist in the calculation for rental increase, but will not provide any legal advice.
HOW CAN I GET A COPY OF THE NEPTUNE TOWNSHIP RENT CONTROL ORDINANCE?
The ordinance is available with amendments on the Township of Neptune website at www.neptunetownship.org or by requesting a copy from the Township Clerk or Rent Leveling Board Secretary.
WHEN DOES THE NEPTUNE TOWNSHIP RENT LEVELING BOARD MEET?
The Neptune Township Rent Leveling Board meets the first Thursday of every month. Special meetings may be held as deemed necessary by the Board.
The Rent Leveling Board Secretary is located and/or can be contacted at:
Neptune Township, Municipal Building
25 Neptune Blvd
Neptune, New Jersey 07753
732-988-5200, Extension 235
