Raising rent - two year lease NJ

[Monica Hanratty]

Hello - I have two questions - writing from Hoboken, NJ

1) I have great tenants that live in a two family building. I occupy one unit and my tenants the other. They have been renting with me for one year and asked for a two year lease. They have been great and I am willing to go with a 2 year lease. I am thinking of raising the rent 2.5% each year for the next two years. How would I write that up in the lease? Or in a two year lease can I only increase the rent one time, at the signing of the lease?

2) My tenants have a 7 month old baby. They live on the 3rd and 4th floor (duplex apt). I asked if they would like window guards but they refused. I have the refusal in writing. Is it a legal requirement for me to put in the window guards? Should I disregard their refusal and just install them?