Is it possible for a landlord to raise our rent?

Question

I just recently recieved a notice on my door saying that our water is going to be shut off. I am renting this place by the way. I fear that our rent is too low for my landlord to pay the water bill. Is it possible for him to raise our rent due to his lack of money?

I am not on a lease and I live in Cali. I am also in a duplex. would that make a difference?

Answer 1

"It would be courteous of him to give you some notice so that you may be prepared, but he doesn't really have to."

A landlord's whims do not override state or local law. I don't know of any place that does not have statutory laws in place that govern notices for rent increases.

If your landlord wants to raise your rent, he can't do it until the end of your lease. If you are a month to month tenant, he probably can but you must be served with proper notice, and proper notice is defined by state law ... not your landlord.

Many places have laws the spell out how often your rent can be raised (where I live, it's once a year, lease or no lease), the amount or percentage, what that amount can be based on (like the CPI or operating expenses, market rate, etc) and a whole lot of other things. You ned to find out the law in your area.

You also need to find out if it is legal to pay the bill yourself and deduct it from your rent. How much could a water bill possibly be? Mine is about $40 every two months.

Answer 2

Did you agree that he would pay the utilities?

If so, he has to pay them. First you should call the water company and explain the situation. Ask them to extend the cutoff date so you have time to work something out with the landlord.

He could choose to raise the rent, but he has to give you notice. He can't just show up and say he needs $200 extra so pay up. It would be at least a month before he could demand more money. If you have a lease, though, he can't randomly raise the rent.

If the water does get shut off, you can leave without any penalty. It's called "constructive eviction". He has 72 hours, counting from the time the water was shut off, to get it turned back on. You're "constructively evicted" when living conditions are unsafe or unsanitary. If he doesn't get it turned back on, move out, send him a note to let him know you're leaving and why (you have to notify him), and don't worry about it anymore.

If there's no agreement that utilities are included in the rent, you're supposed to pay them. If that's the case you need to pay the water company before they shut it off. I have heard of cases when the utility company doesn't know the landlord is paying for the renter, and they credit his account instead of paying your bill. So ask about that when you call the company, too.

Good luck. That's an awful situation.

Answer 3

Yes it is. If you pay your rent month to month & have no lease agreement, the landlord has every right to raise the rent from one month to the next. It would be courteous of him to give you some notice so that you may be prepared, but he doesn't really have to. It is very possible that he can't afford the water bill - I am a "landlord" & due to the fact that my mortgage payment went up a few months ago & I am having great difficulty meeting the expenses for the property. Remember, there are always two sides to this whole rental thing so your landlord is not just being mean and insensitive by raising the rent. If he/she doesn't pay the bills, then they can't keep the property & you won't be able to live there anymore. Hope it works out for you.

Answer 4

what type of lease do you have? if fixed term lease say a year, then landlord can not raise the rent until the year term is up

if a month to month lease then with a month notice landlord can raise the rent

though another problem if your water is turned off because of the landlord fault, and the water is turned off, that is a self-eviction on part of landlord and can get in trouble

Answer 5

Do you have a lease? If you do, the landlord technically has to wait until the lease is expiring to raise your rent. On the other hand, landlords can raise the rent for extraordinary circumstances. You had better talk to them about the water thing.

Answer 6

Yes. A renter is subject to a raise in rent at any time because it is a month to month committment...no long term obligation. Under a lease you have the protection of the lease which usually has a fixed payment for a period of time.

I write a blog on the subject of credit management, mortgages, real estate trends, etc. Check it out for more information that may be helpful.

Answer 7

properly for starters the recent proprietor has a sparkling mortage. He has the belongings taxes. An i`m particular that's a whooper. Then he has coverage. Then there is the water bill. Trash bill. electric powered bill. Repairing the roofs. besides each and every of the traditional restoration artwork necessary. you need to bypass up and thank him for no longer elevating it better. attempt searching round at abode homes on your section and shop the present rents accessible. when you're chuffed the position you stay stay. If no longer chuffed then possibly you may want to be happier some position else.

Answer 8

before you get to worried he might have forgot to pay the bill also the tenants can pay the water bill and have it deducted from the rent. but yes the landlord has the right to raise the rent at any time but they have to give you notice.

Answer 9

In Calif they can't shut your water off. My girlfriend's rent went up $500. The new owner is turning the building into luxury apartments.
The owner can charge whatever the market will bear.

Answer 10

Not in the middle of a lease term. I'm assuming you do have a lease agreement. However, if he runs out of money, the bank can foreclose on him and kick you out. Maybe you can help him out with the water bill...