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Newark officials propose streamlining rent-control rules, expand certificate-of-habitability checks
Summary
City administration proposed folding landlord registration into the city’s rent-control ordinance, requiring certificates of habitability for rent-control units and expanding tenant legal services eligibility; council members pressed administration on inspection staffing, enforcement and owner impacts.
City officials told the Newark Municipal Council on May 5 they plan to fold landlord registration into the rent-control ordinance and to require certificates of habitability for units governed by rent control, changes the administration says will simplify compliance and allow more consistent inspections.
“All we’re asking to do is combine the work of the landlord registration to the rent control ordinance such that you only have to go to one place,” Deputy Mayor and director of economic and housing development Allison Lad told the council. She said the change also would allow the city to require certificates of habitability for units under rent control.
Council members raised implementation concerns: they asked who performs inspections, how quickly certificates can be issued and whether inspection backlogs could force owners to lose rental income. Acting administration officials said the rent-control office previously assigned a dedicated code officer but that vacancy has slowed processing; they said the administration will work with the engineering department to staff inspections. Officials also noted that penalties and per‑unit fees had been strengthened in prior amendments to improve compliance.
Separately, the administration told the council it plans to raise the federal‑poverty threshold used by the Office of Tenant Legal Services from 200% to 300% of the federal poverty level so more residents can access legal help for housing issues.
Council members asked for written backup on specifics and for an assessment of how the changes would affect small one‑to‑four‑unit owners; administration representatives said they would provide additional documentation and continue to review enforcement thresholds.
