My rent has been raised! What can I do?

Question

My girlfriend and I's 9 month lease at our apartment (approx 1300 sq. ft.) recently ran out, and we switched to a month to month lease because we were planning on buying a home soon. The first month to month bill came and it was an "in between" bill, letting us know that the rent would increase. Our old rate was 850/mo and the first bill said 950/mo. I went to the leasing office and asked what the mo 2 mo rate would be and they said 1050/mo. We decided to pursue a 9 mo lease and have went to the office 3 or 4 times in the past 2 weeks to see if anything has developed. No luck. The rent bill for this mo came a couple of days ago and it says 2000/mo (yes, you read that right). I went to the office to tell them of their "error" and I was promptly informed that the mo 2 mo rent was 2050 instead of 1050. It's quite frustrating and I would like some advice as to what to do. Thanks for your help! :)

Answer 1

bring them your original offer for renewal you received in writing. See if there is an expiration date at the rate.

they probably are in DESPERATE need of your apartment and thats why they are doing that to you.

it will state in your lease agreement your month to month terms. Typically...your rent would increase to market rate (which is what your apartment is leasing for to someone brand new off of the street) + a month to month fee. usually $50-$100

they have to abide by whats in the lease agreement.

*** also to the first answerer*** they can only offer whats in the lease agreement.....it has nothing to do with high turnover costs, or people not paying rent. apartment communities have "BUDGETS" set up for turnover costs and non payers EVERY MONTH.....they also wont give a rats behind if hes a good tenant, so dont use that route. They have to abide by fair housing rules and regulations and offer him the same they are offering EVERYONE..or they will have an ENORMOUS federal lawsuit.

Answer 2

First, find another place that you will be willing to move if all else fails, get their pricing and use in later if needed.
Second, find the manager of the complex that has the power to make decisions.
Explain to that person what a good tenant you have been and plan to be. Explain to them why you would prefer to be a month to month renter because you are currently looking for a home to buy. They have month to month pricing set that high because of the expenses of turning the units over, and the high non payment rate. Neither of which applies to you.
Usually they will give you a break.
If they cannot give you a good rate, then that is their way of saying they do not want you as a tenant, and they would rather take the risk renting to Joe Schmoe off the street, or leaving the unit empty.
Don't threaten to move out unless you are ready to do so. Most managers are reasonable, but if they aren't move.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

Once your original lease is up they can change the rent to whatever they want. Most landlords are willing to work with existing renters.
That said it also depends on where you are renting. If the area suddenly became a very desirable place to live the rent might jump that drastically.

I would consult a lawyer tho. They may at least know whether you can do anything about the rates or not.

Good luck on purchasing your own home soon. My Hubby and I just this past summer purchased our first home. It's a fixer-upper :)

Answer 4

There is likely not much you can do (depends on what state you live in). Landlords have the right to charge whatever rent they want. If they are charging you more than everyone else at the apartments you live in (not counting people still on an old lease) then you may have a case for discrimination. If that is the case call an attorney who offers free consultation to see what they say.

However, the landlord may have realized that he could get $2,000/month for the apartment and wants to find a tenant who will pay it. That is within his rights as the landlord since your lease is up.

Answer 5

Wait a second.

First google your states 'tenant landlord rights" handbook. They arent that big in my experience.

In Calilfornia a landord must give 30 days notice to raise rent more than 10%.
If raising more that 10% than they have to give 60 days notice.
You do have rights just as landlords have responsibilities.
Whats going on here doesn't sound legal to raise rent monthly by $1,000.

But it renters dont know that , i guess managers will try and get away with anything.
Maybe this manager is doing this without landlords knowledge.

Sounds very bizarre to me.

Answer 6

First off if you have a lease agreement thathas been signed by both you and the leasing company they can not raise your monthly rent.. However I think if htey are going to pull this stuff you may want to consult an attorney and find a new place to live.. that is crazy..

Answer 7

Yikes, that's quite an increase! Since you don't have a longer-term lease and are just on month to month, they can raise your rent. Your option is to move - and it sounds like that would be a real good idea!

Answer 8

Scoot dude, you're at the mercy of the landlord because of the month to month lease you have, however you might want to check your state's landlord tenant laws to see if there is a time notice requirement to a tenant before a substantial rental increase like that. Don't forget to give notice.

Answer 9

If I were in your shoes, I'd find another place fast. If they're hosing you on the rent like you say they are, it's not unlikely they'll hose you on the deposit return when you do move. They sound like diks.

Answer 10

Time to start looking for a new place to live.

Sounds like they want you gone from the place for whatever reason.

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