Introduction: The Fair Lawn Rent Leveling Board was created by the Mayor and Council and constituted under and regulated by N.J.S.A. 2A:42-74, et seq., N.J.S.A. 40:48-2 and 40:69A-30, Borough Code Chapter 177, Sections 177-1 to 177-20, the Open Public Meeting Act N.J.S.A.10:4-6, et seq. and the Senior Citizens and Disabled Tenants Protected Tenancy regulations of N.J.A.C. 5:24-1, et seq.

The Board consists of the following seven members: two landlord representatives; two tenant representatives and three homeowner representatives.  Additionally, three alternate members are appointed, one for each representative group.

The 2007 Meeting dates can be viewed through the online calendar or by downloading the meeting list.

Members:
Robert Hajinlian, Chairperson (Landlord representative)
Michael Aversa, (Landlord Representative)
Arlene Glassman, (Tenant representative)
Sheila Kornreich - (Tenant representative)
Saul Rochman, (Homeowner Representative)
Mark Singer, (Homeowner representative)
Robert Waxman, (Homeowner representative)

Alternate Members:
Anthony Lauro, (Alternate Landlord representative)
Leo Ciesielski - (Alternate Tenant representative)
Joeseph A. Scott, (Alternate Homeowner representative) 

Rent Leveling Board Attorney:    Steven H. Cohen, Esq.
Secretary to Board:    Marianne Pettineo

The Board meets at 8:00 p.m., on the third Tuesday of each month, excluding August and December,  in the Council Chambers of the Borough Hall providing there is business to be conducted.  The minimum number of Board members who must be present to conduct the business of the Fair Lawn Rent Leveling Board is a majority of four of the whole Board, (seven).  

The Rent Leveling Board has a specific agenda for each meeting which primarily consists of applications pending before the Board.  The public may attend any meeting.  There is a portion of the meeting at which public comments and questions may be presented to the Board, excluding, however, comments on hearing and adjudication of cases continued from prior hearings or of current cases.

General Information: All residential dwellings, other than owner-occupied two family houses, are under rent control.  Housing units newly constructed and rented for the first time are exempted and the initial rent may be determined by the landlord.  All subsequent rents are subject to the provisions of the Rent Leveling Ordinance. 

A tenant may institute a proceeding by completing and filing an approved complaint with the Secretary of the Rent Leveling Board.  A landlord may make application to the Board for an additional rental increase based upon pertinent sections of the ordinance, (for vacancy/decontrol or hardships).   All forms can be obtained from the office of the Rent Leveling Board in Room 209 of the Borough Hall.   Tenants  and landlords are advised to obtain a copy of the Rent Leveling Ordinance and a copy of the Bylaws of the Board.  There is a statutory charge of $8.50 for a copy of the ordinance and an  additional charge of $3.00 for a copy of the Bylaws.    These documents can be viewed between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.   Upon the filing of a complaint by a tenant or an application by a landlord, the matter is set down for a hearing before the Rent Leveling Board and the parties are notified of the date for the hearing at which their presence is required.   

Rent Increases: At the expiration of every 12 month period, following the first letting, whether or not the landlord has ever presented the tenant with a lease, the maximum rent that a landlord may request or receive as a rent increase shall be 4% of the current rent or the percentage increase of the Consumer Price Index, whichever is less, as established by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics for the New York, New York - northeastern New Jersey area. 

On vacancy of a housing unit, a landlord may request a new rental of 10% of the maximum rent last charged for said housing unit.  Said increase may only be charged once in any 12 month period no matter how often the housing unit becomes vacant.   Where a tenant moves from one apartment to another within the same complex, the landlord may charge the increase of rent permitted on vacancy both to the apartment vacated by the moving tenant and to the apartment to be occupied by the tenant.

Computation of Consumer Price Index -

Percentage of Allowable Annual Increases for Lease Renewals: For the purpose of arriving at the correct percentage of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for an annual increase when that percentage is less than 4%, the computation formula shall be based upon the CPI for all items for the NY-Northern NJ-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT area as published by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Washington, D.C., and shall be calculated 120 days prior to each anniversary renewal for each tenant.  This information is available monthly (generally released by the Dept. of Labor after the 18th day of the month), by either calling (212) 337-2404, Fax-On-Demand (212) 337-2412, Internet World Wide Web Home Page http://stats.bls.gov/ro2/cpinynj.htm  or contact the office of the Rent Leveling Board at (201)794-5345.

Rents Relating to Vacancy/Occupancy Decontrol -

Capital Improvement(s) for Vacant Dwellings: A landlord may obtain an increased rent for a vacant dwelling, bringing it up to market value, upon approval of application to the Rent Leveling Board, provided the following conditions are met: 

a.         The value of the dwelling shall be determined by the Borough Assessor upon certification.

b.         The landlord shall spend an amount equal to at least 15% of the value of the dwelling for capital improvements to that dwelling.  Capital improvements shall include but not be limited to new construction relating to the dwelling, new bath fixtures, kitchen cabinets, kitchen fixtures, air-conditioning installation, heating system installation, electrical re-wiring, electrical outlets, replacement of doors, windows or other fixtures.  Generally, a capital improvement shall be an expenditure that adds to the value or useful life of the dwelling and is not allowed as an expense deduction by the landlord.

Listing of Rents: All landlords of controlled dwelling units shall file with the Rent Leveling Board by January 31st in each year a list of rents charged by building and apartment number.  In addition, this list of rents shall be updated by July 31st in each year to reflect any change in the list of rents for the period between January 31st and July 31st.  Rent for a tenant’s garage shall be reflected separately on the  list.

All landlords of controlled dwelling units shall advise any new tenant as to the amount of rent paid for the apartment by the immediately preceding tenant.  Such notice shall be accomplished by providing the new tenant, prior to the execution of the new lease or agreement to rent, with a written certification signed by the landlord or his agent setting forth the amount of rent paid by the immediately preceding tenant.  All leases shall state in a conspicuous manner what the rent for the apartment covered by the lease had been for the immediately preceding tenant.