My apartment manager came by last night so I could sign my lease. I've lived there for five years and my rent has always been on time. This is the third owner of the property since I moved in. He has decided I should pay $600 a month instead of $505... that's HALF my monthly salary! Yes, I am looking for a new place to live and a new job.
2006-08-03 04:58:40 · 8 answers · asked by darthbouncy 4 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
Thanks for all the advice! You are all so helpful. If it helps, I also live in Salt Lake City, UT.
2006-08-03 05:18:37 · update #1
Unless there are rent controls or you can prove he is raising rent to try and get you to move out specifically, he can do what he did.
My advice is to speak to a lawyer and the best, most inexpensive ($17/mo in my state) way to do this is through Pre-Paid Legal Services. For more information visit the website below, and feel free to contact me through that site if you have further questions on how this service may be able to help you. I encourage you to find out what your rights and options are in this situation.
I wish you the best of luck.
http://www.getprotectedhere.com...
2006-08-04 05:58:18 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It could be, depending on local law. Some places have rent control and others don't.
You could try bargaining with him. If you move out, he will get zero until it is rented again. How high is the vacancy rate in your area?
And you could try challenging the amount by refusing to pay the increase but paying your regular rent amount and waiting until he takes you to court to let a Judge decide if the increase is unconscionable or not. It's a very effective way to do it here, but the law may be different in your area.
Also, there is most likely a period before the increase can take effect. Usually one calendar months notice is required.
If I were you, I would pay for a consultation with a Landlord/Tenant attorney in your area. He or she can tell you exactly how you should handle this. A lawyer who specializes in this area would have knowledge of case law that could affect your situation favorably.
2006-08-03 05:22:42 · answer #2 · answered by BoomChikkaBoom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, in Los Angeles, $505 or $600 is a steal. But also in LA, they can only raise your rent by 10% every 12 months. Search the Internet for the laws in your area but my hunch is that your landlord raised your rent because you've been a tenant for 5 years and he wants to kick you out so he can charge more for your unit.
Don't freak out yet because if he is acting unlawfully, you won't have to move out.
Also, I think he has to give you 60 days or 2 rent checks from now for it to take effect.
2006-08-03 05:05:16 · answer #3 · answered by vicvic* 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless the area where you live has rent controls, a landlord can increase the rent by any amount. Unless he is only increasing your rent in an effort to "passively evict" you. You should check with the other tenants if you live in an apartment building. And you can check with the city or county where you live to see if there are any type of rent controls in place where the landlord is not able to increase the rents.
2006-08-03 05:04:49 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is in the big category of "depends." In many cities there is rent control and that would not be legal (San Francisco, NY, Berkeley, CA, etc.) But that does not apply to condos you are leasing and in most parts of the country they can raise the rent a much as they want- if they really raise it too high, the price they pay is a lost tenant and the cost of having to find someone willing to pay the higher rent who might also be a pain to deal with (unlike you). But to be fair, they should be able to raise their rent if their costs are probably much higher now with oil prices, etc. going up.
2006-08-03 05:06:18 · answer #5 · answered by QandAGuy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure if it is legal where you are or not. You should contact your local public library and ask for help to find an association for renters and landlords that you can contact to find out the specifics in your area. My parents own apartments and they contact the group in our area before any decisions are made about the places they rent but perhaps your new landlord did not and is doing something that isn't legal in your area.
2006-08-03 05:08:41 · answer #6 · answered by Amy B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it's a legal for a landlord to increase the rent whenever he likes. Although, 20 percent is to much. So, it's up to the tennant if they either accept that or just move out.
2006-08-03 05:18:03 · answer #7 · answered by sh3rond06 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contact a local Real Estate Attorney to find out what the law says.
2006-08-03 05:11:12 · answer #8 · answered by drhomeloan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋