After Rolling Back Rent Hikes, Landlords Of High-End Hoboken Apartments Cancel Shuttle

HOBOKEN, NJ — After the city of Hoboken told the owners of the Rivington apartment complex in July that they can't raise tenants' rents beyond rent control limits, the landlords have canceled a shuttle from the complex to the city's train station, tenants said.

The owners of the complex, Equity Residential, based in Chicago, confirmed last week that they recently canceled the shuttle to the Hoboken Train Terminal (as of Nov. 30), but cited low ridership.

Tenants of the building told Patch last week that they believe the shuttle — a longtime amenity offered at the complex, where units rent for $4,446 or more — was halted because of a recent determination by the city that the building was subject to rent control.

The Rivington, formerly known as the Curling Club, is located at the corner of 12th and Clinton streets, about 13 blocks north and 7 blocks west of the train station.

A letter from the Rivington to the tenants on Sept. 29 said, "As some of you are aware, The Rivington provided shuttle transportation between The Rivington and The PATH station. As there has been reduced ridership since the pandemic, we will not be renewing our agreement with the vendor as of Nov. 30, 2022. As an alternative, residents may utilize the Light Rail, or NJ Transit, both easily accessible from The Rivington."

A light rail train to the Hoboken Train Station from Ninth Street costs $2.25 each way; buses to the station, $1.60.

Marty McKenna, the first vice president of investor and public relations for Equity Residential, said last week, "The shuttle was not included in the amenity fee at Rivington. It has been discontinued as the contract was up for renewal and the ridership was low."

One tenant said that her neighbors have suggested that the landlords are hoping tenants will now leave, so they can get a vacancy decontrol and raise the rents.

In July, after a hard-fought battle, the tenants received a ruling from the city that rent increases there are subject to the provisions of the city's 1973 Rent Control Ordinance. READ MORE: Rivington Rent Hikes Reduced; Hoboken Says They're An 'Injustice'

Tenants had become concerned about having to uproot their families when they received increases of 20 percent or more this year. They were also confused by language in their leases saying they were exempt from rent control, but mentioning only Jersey City and West New York.

So they began looking into local laws — and found out that the building might not have filed necessary paperwork to be exempt from local controls.

Rent Control laws in New Jersey towns often limit increases to the Cost of Living Adjustment, often a few percent a year, but there are certain exceptions for landlords.

Last week, two current Rivington tenants said that besides the fact that the shuttle was just canceled, the Rivington increased the amenities fee this year from $500 to $550 annually, and has been passing along monthly surcharges besides the rent, including water, trash, sewer, and a small "billing fee."

Tenants also complained that the amenities, including the gym, package room, and WiFi lounge, are sub-par.

"Grills are broken," said a tenant last week, "and no one actually uses the 'WiFi lounge area.' "

"We would be the only uptown building without [train shuttle service]," said another tenant. "This comes after increasing our amenity fee 10 percent from $500 to $550."

Recently, Equity Residential was dealt a new blow when the city of Jersey City determined that one of their luxury Portside Towers on the Hudson River waterfront is subject to rent control as well (read the exclusive story on Patch).

The company has been sued in Washington, D.C. over rent control-related issues, and has spent money to fight rent control in California, according to news reports.

Hoboken and Jersey City have among the highest rents in the country, according to Rent.com.

A member of a statewide nonprofit said earlier this summer that she fears a "tidal wave" of homelessness in New Jersey if rents keep rising at the current rate.

Earlier this year, a case in Union City — also in Hudson County — set a precedent for other luxury property owners regarding rent control exemptions. READ MORE: Rents In Jersey City, Hoboken Highest In Country: Are They Legal?

Read the initial stories on this issue in Hoboken Patch below, and leave comments below.

• Hoboken Rent Increases Are Driving Tenants Up A Wall
• Luxury Building Tenants Find Out Rents May Be 3X Legal Limit
• Rivington Rent Hikes Reduced; Hoboken Says They're An 'Injustice'