Raising Rent on a Tenant after change of ownership

[Matthew Brown]

Hey Everyone, 

I recently closed on my house in Elizabethport, NJ, and am in the process of having tenants sign the new lease. I inherited tenants in 2/3 units. Their lease ends at the end of the month from their previous landlord's lease agreement. They paid $1800 in the past, and I wanted to raise it to $2000. Market rent in the area for 2 bd 1 bth new construction is from $2100 - $2400 (giving the discount because less of a hassle finding new tenants, or so I thought). 

I spoke with the tenant unhappy with the rent increase, and she said a 3% rent increase is the maximum in Elizabeth. Does this still apply to the change in ownership? I have her security deposit but nothing about her lease. Where can I find out more information about this? NJ doesn't have any laws, but the city does. Am I screwed?