Q: Can landlords/management companies charge tenants a lease renewal fee?
I live in Hoboken in a rent-controlled building with 6 units. I have lived there for about 23 years and signed a 1-year lease for the initial year but have basically been month-to-month ever since. Every year the Landlord e-mails a lease and I maintain I will keep the month-to-month agreement. I'm a good tenant and cannot be evicted (no cause + the aforementioned 6 units). For the last couple of years the management company has requested a lease renewal fee. Last year I pushed back on it and it was waived.
A: Unless prevented by the provisions of Hoboken's rent-controlled law either directly prohibiting charging tenant for landlord's administrative costs or if considered to be additional rent and thus exceeding rental limits, changes in the rent and other lease provisions can be made each time the lease is renewed.
Tim Akpinar agrees with this answer
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