A tenant or group of tenants may apply to the Borough Administrator, or his or her designee, for a reduction in the amount of rent charged by the landlord when the rent exceeds that permitted by this chapter.
The tenant or tenants shall bring a complaint to the attention of the Borough Administrator, or his or her designee. The application shall include both components of the current rent and the rent previously charged.
The tenant or tenants shall provide a copy of the application to the landlord at the time of the application.
A. 
Prior to making a decision, the Borough Administrator, or his or her designee, shall obtain from the landlord information about rents charged and any other pertinent information, in order to determine compliance with this chapter. The Borough Administrator, or his or her designee, shall make findings of fact based on the evidence presented and shall determine on the basis thereof the rent to be permitted under the terms of this chapter. The decision and findings of fact shall be in writing.
B. 
The Rent Control Board shall hear landlord appeals to the decision of the Borough Administrator, or his or her designee.
A. 
If the Borough Administrator, or his or her designee, finds that the landlord has been charging rent in excess of the rent permitted by this chapter, then he shall order him to return to the tenant any excess rent paid during the period commencing six months prior to the filing of the written complaint.
B. 
In rendering a decision requiring a landlord to make a refund, the Borough Administrator, or his or her designee, also may order the payment of interest if required in the interest of justice. Interest, if ordered, shall be computed at the rate allowed on judgments pursuant to New Jersey Court Rules from the date the landlord received each excess rent payment.