Help the Bergen Grand Tenant

Association Enforce Rent Control, End Management's Illegal business practice, and Get real repairs!

Short on time? There’s a TL;DR at the bottom. If you live at 429 Bergen / 3 Clendenny,

please donate, share.

We’re reaching out to everyone who wants to support us winning legal, rent-controlled leases, end severe neglect of our building, and seek up to 3× recovery of rent overcharges under New Jersey’s Consumer Fraud Act (where the facts and law support it).

Why now?

On June 25, 2025, Jersey City’s Bureau of Rent Leveling issued a determination that our 72-unit building — 429 Bergen Ave / 3 Clendenny — is subject to rent control. The Bureau found the

owner did not meet the state “new construction” exemption requirements. The decision confirms:

● Base Rent = 2019.

● Annual increases are capped by CPI (≈3–4%) under Chapter 260.

● Late rent fees over $35 are not permitted.

● Credits/refunds for any overcharges must be calculated by both parties (tenants + landlord).

This is a huge win. But the City does not do the math or the follow-through. We have to organize, calculate, negotiate, and enforce—and that takes resources. What we’re dealing with:

Residents have reported serious maintenance issues (non-functional AC units, missing appliances, roaches, leaks from windows, mildew build-up from neglected washers, an unsafe parking garage, a constantly malfunctioning fire-system, and more. We deserve safe homes and legal rents—nothing more, nothing less.

What this fund pays for (no extras, just what we need)

1. Legal representation to work to enforce the City's rent control decision and negotiate building-wide relief.

2. Records and rent re-calculations: rent rolls, 2019 leases/registrations → lawful base rents → CPI

increases → credits/refunds.

3. Admin & filings: certified mail, printing, copies, and required fees for legal representation.

4. Organizing basics: building notices and simple meeting supplies so every household stays informed.

Remedies we will pursue: Along with rent credits/refunds required by the Rent Leveling Board's decision, we will evaluate and, where supported by evidence, bring New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act claims—which can allow treble (3×) damages for rent overpaid. Outcomes aren’t guaranteed, but we will pursue

the maximum lawful relief for every household.

Our demands:

● 2019 rent rolls and original leases

● Negotiations with the landlord on lawful rents, refunds/credits, and a repair timeline

● Repairs we will insist on (not comprehensive):

○ Fix/replace the garage and door

○ Reseal bathrooms and kitchens due to infestations and mold

○ Regular preventive maintenance (washer/dryer, AC wall units; water damage remediation throughout building)

○ Bring dog run up to sanitary code

○ Fix dog-run fence and gate latches

○ Regular fire-system maintenance

Our leverage:

We have a Rent Leveling Board determination in black and white stating our building is rent controlled. We have neighbors ready to stand together. When we act together, we win together.

What we need from you:

● Donate to power the legal work, calculations, and organizing it takes to turn this determination into real relief.

● Share this page with friends, family, and local allies.

● Tenants in the building: join the BGTA email list, add your unit issues to the master log, and be ready for coordinated actions if management refuses to comply.

Risks & reality (straight talk):

Pressure works, and management may push back (including threats of eviction or late-fee games. We will keep rent-control compliance front and center and follow lawful strategies (withholding rent if necessary) in coordination with our legal team to protect households while we enforce our rights.

Organization + documentation = our shield.

Accountability

Funds will be managed by the Bergen Grand Tenant Association. We’ll post monthly summaries and milestone updates.

Thank you for helping 72 families secure legal rents, real refunds, and safe homes. The law is the nail. We are the hammer.

— Bergen Grand Tenant Association (BGTA)

429 Bergen Ave / 3 Clendenny Ave, Jersey City

TL;DR:

● On June 25, 2025, Jersey City’s Rent Leveling Bureau ruled 429 Bergen / 3 Clendenny is rent-controlled; base rent = 2019, raises capped by CPI, late rent fees over $35 is not allowed.

● We’re raising funds to enforce the decision: get records, do the math (base rent + CPI),

and obtain credits/refunds and repairs.

● We will also evaluate bringing Consumer Fraud Act claims—may allow up to 3× damages + fees when supported. (Not guaranteed.)

● Use of funds: legal/compliance, calculations, admin/filings, basic organizing notices. Transparency: monthly spend summaries; any remainder supports ongoing

rent-control oversight.

● Ask: Please donate and share so 72 households can turn a City ruling into real relief—lawful rents, refunds, and safe homes.