How much advance notice must my landlord give me before raising the rent?

If you have a month-to-month rental agreement, your landlord must give you 30 to 60 days' advance notice, depending on the state. If you have a fixed-term lease, they generally cannot raise the rent until the lease expires and is renewed. Check your contract and your state's laws to confirm the exact timeframe.

How do I know if my city or state has rent control that limits how much my rent can be increased?

Some jurisdictions such as California (maximum 5% + inflation, up to 10% under AB 1482), New York City, Oregon (maximum 7% + inflation), New Jersey, and Washington D.C. have laws that cap annual rent increases. Check your city's official website or contact your local tenant protection office to find out if your apartment is covered.

What can I do if I believe the rent increase is illegal or is retaliation for requesting repairs?

If you suspect the increase violates rent control laws or your current lease, do not pay the increase until you confirm its legality, and contact your city's tenant protection office or a free legal aid service. Retaliatory rent increases—used as punishment for requesting repairs or filing a complaint—are illegal in most states.

What to do if your landlord raises your rent? Your legal options

Rent increases: know your rights

Receiving a rent increase notice can cause a lot of stress, especially if you are already stretched thin with your budget. But before panicking, it is important to know that there are rules your landlord must follow.

When can your landlord raise the rent?

Fixed-term lease: generally CANNOT raise the rent during the lease. Only at renewal.

Month-to-month lease: can raise rent with proper advance notice (30-60 days depending on the state).

Rent-controlled apartment: increases are limited by law (only in some cities and states).

States and cities with rent control

Some jurisdictions limit how much rent can go up each year:

California: maximum 5% + inflation (up to 10%) under law AB 1482

New York City: rent-stabilized apartments have increases set by the Rent Guidelines Board

Oregon: maximum 7% + inflation statewide

New Jersey: several cities have rent control ordinances

Washington, D.C.: increase limits for registered apartments

What to do if you receive an increase notice

1. Check your lease: when does it expire? Does it have clauses about increases?

2. Check if your area has rent control: search your city’s website

3. Confirm the notice is legal: did they give you enough advance notice?

4. Research area prices: is the new price reasonable compared to similar apartments?

5. Negotiate with your landlord: your good tenant history is a powerful tool

How to negotiate a smaller increase

Remind them you are a good tenant who pays on time

Offer to sign a longer lease in exchange for a smaller increase

Show comparative prices from the area

Point out the costs they would have finding a new tenant (advertising, vacancy, cleaning)

If the increase is illegal

If you believe the increase violates rent control laws or your current lease:

Do not pay the increase until you confirm its legality

Contact your city’s tenant protection office

Consult a free legal aid service

File a formal complaint with the relevant housing authority

Retaliatory increases are illegal

If your landlord raises your rent as punishment for requesting repairs or filing a complaint, this is considered a retaliatory increase and is illegal in most states.

What to do if your landlord raises your rent? Your legal options

Rent increases: know your rights

When can your landlord raise the rent?

States and cities with rent control

What to do if you receive an increase notice

How to negotiate a smaller increase

If the increase is illegal

Retaliatory increases are illegal

Frequently Asked Questions

State guides

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