Can a landlord legally put a clause in a lease that says they will increase the rent 40% if another tenant moves into the apartment? I understand that a new tenant must be added to the lease, but I've never heard of the price of an apartment changing depending on how many people live there.
So if I get married, or if I have a child, the landlord has the right to increase my rent? That doesn't seem right....
Edited to add: Yes, I have a fixed-term lease: one year.
2007-06-30 08:23:23 · 4 answers · asked by Jessica A 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
Please note: I have not signed the lease yet. I am debating if I should. I've rented many apartments and have never been faced with this clause-- my realtor thinks it may violate the Fair Housing Act, so I am trying to figure this out before I commit to anything.
2007-06-30 08:40:33 · update #1
yes it is legal, if it is in the lease then they can do it, a lot of leases will increase the rent by a certain dollar amount but, if you signed the lease you agreed to that.
2007-06-30 08:31:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't agree to it if you don't like it. If you aren't married or pregnant when you move in you won't have many months to pay the extra before your lease is up and you move out.
I looked at one apartment once that wouldn't rent a 1 bedroom to a couple since they expected more people to require more parking spaces even if we didn't own two cars.
2007-06-30 15:31:34 · answer #2 · answered by shipwreck 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it was there in the lease, the landlord has acted properly and there is nothing you can do. If you did not agree with this clause, you should not have taken the apartment
2007-06-30 15:26:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Goz1111 has it right. Your landlord CAN NOT increase your rent if you marry and your spouse move in with you. This also applies to children you have.
However if unrelated people move in, the rent can be raised if it is in the lease.
2007-06-30 18:11:30 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
under the state/federal family status protection if you where to marry or gain custody of a child then i would doubt the landlord would be able to enforce the provision, on the other hand if you more in your girlfriend/boyfriend or a friend then it would be allowed
2007-06-30 16:05:58 · answer #5 · answered by goz1111 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋