Can my landlord raise my rent once my fiancee' moves in?

Question

I am getting married, March 30. After a long distance relationship / engagement, I am ready for him to move in. It was hard only having him with me 2 -3 days out of the week. Once I legally add my fiancee' / (by then husband), can my rent go up? It is a 2bdr/1bath, and I live in California.

my lease is up for renewal in July, and it is a property manager, not the owner.

Answer 1

Congratulations! No, your rent cannot go up. Your marriage is a change in familial status, and raising your rent in response to that change would be considered discriminatory against a federally protected class. Your landlord could set reasonable occupancy restrictions (e.g. 2 people per bedroom maximum occupancy), but they cannot change your rent based on the addition of a family member.

Answer 2

I can't speak for California law, but for Texas (which can't be toooooo far off the mark), rent can ONLY be changed legally when you are renewing a contract. If you add a roommate, they are subject to application fees and possibly an additional deposit if their credit is poor (and can be declined with a criminal history, bad credit or refusal to remove large or aggressive dogs).

The only terms that change in the contract are the residents- they can limit the amount of people (2 per bedroom with a closet) but unless your contract is being renewed at the time of adding a roommate, it is a simple one page addendum that adds them as a person of financial responsibility.

Answer 3

Read your lease, if it states that anyone who moves in will cost $100 or whatever the amount may be, then the landlord can raise the rent. But he/she can only raise the rent if it says so in the lease.

Answer 4

If the lease specifies the number of people allowed
to live in the apartment and you need to change
that number, then you are essentially renegotiating
the lease.

When you renegotiate, ALL things are up for
renegotiation, including the amount of rent.

Answer 5

You should be on a contract with the landlord. He/she owns the building, they can do what they want. Sometimes contracts state that only one (or more) person(s) can live in the residence. Check the contract-the landlord can raise the rent on his/her own building any time they want.

Answer 6

legally, yes landlords can raise rent when occupancy changes. You'll want to check the specific city housing codes in your area.

Answer 7

Sometimes there's laws for that depending on the size of the complex. If you're in a large apartment block then no he can't and if you'r in a duplex or a house then maybe yes he can.

Doesn't CA have a rentalsman?

Answer 8

NO It can not go up, legally!!!. Your L.L. might want to do a credit/ criminal check on him to make sure he fits their criteria. L.L. can only raise rent when your lease is up and give you (most states) 30 day written notice. If you are on MTM your L.L. can raise your rent when ever he/she wishes again (most states) with a 30 day written notice.

Answer 9

I would check your lease. Most likely they will not increase the rent, but the initial lease was for you. If you change the terms of the lease, they may choose to do so, also.

Answer 10

You'll have to read your lease. You will also have to have him added to the lease, but I would think they won't be able to raise the rent unless it says they can in your lease.