renters rights and laws?

Question

my land load decided to raise our rent last year and in turn include the heat now this year has decided we need to pay for our own heat and is still keeping the increase in rent is this legal by the way he is really one of those slum lords anyway

Answer 1

If you're in the middle of a lease, no he can't do that. However if your lease is expiring or if you are month-to-month without a written lease he can raise the rent and change the terms all he wants to. If you're month-to-month, he can raise the rent every month if he wants. And there is no requirement anywhere that states that he has to make improvements in order to raise the rent. Costs increase all the time and landlords have to make a living too.

The only requirement is that he gives you the statutory notice that is required in your jurisdiction. That's normally 30 days but it varies from as little as 15 days to as much as 60 days in a few locations.

You don't necessarily have to accept his offer, by the way. You can counter his offer with something midway between and see what he says. There is no law that states that his first request has to be take-it-or-leave it. See if he's willing to negotiate.

Your comment about him being a "slum lord" without providing any evidence to back your claim leads me to believe that you might be better off just moving on to new digs. He may feel the same way...

Good luck.

Answer 2

Your lease is subject to change at each renewal. My rent just went up too, and my water, trash and sewer used to be included and now it's not anymore. Some states do have limits though, in NC where I live they are only allowed to go up 5% on the rent you paid the previous lease term as long as you stay in the same apartment. You could check that out.

Answer 3

He really didnt need to ever pay for the heat. He's perfectly within his rights to ask for it now. If he truly is a slum lord-you need to call Renter's Rights and report him.

Answer 4

Unless you live in a rent control apartment they can raise your rent every 6 months if they'd like as long as they give you notice. However, you should look up your local laws. Renters law are different from state to state... Good luck.

Answer 5

actually no- at least not if he has not given you a heads up and he can not change anything if its in the middle of your lease. Contact an attorney that deals with tenets. Also your landlord can not increase your rent if he hasnt made any improvements to the apartment- well at lease not in ct anyway. What state are you in ill do some research for ya

NO STARRR YOU ARE NEVER ALLOWED TO ACTUALLY WITH HOLD YOUR RENT!!! THAT IS LIKE AN AUTOMATIC EVICTION AND RENTAL COURT WOULD NOT SIDE WITH YOU!!

here check this site- its for ct but if u tell me what state u are in i can find your states as well http://www.larcc.org/pamphlets/housing/tr_rent_increases.htm#can%20landlord%20raise%20my%20rent?

Answer 6

Laws regarding renters and landlords not only vary from state to state but from city to city. Boston, MA has laws that are very favorable to tenants. See if there is a tenant's organization in your town - other than that, you'll need to consult a lawyer. You can also put your rent in an escrow account while you petition a judge in small claims court to review the case.

Answer 7

It sounds like you should take your landlord to Landlord Tenant Court. Landlord aren't always right and depending upon the conditions you are sometimes allowed to with-hold your rent. (If the conditions are really that bad) and/or sometimes when you take your landlord to court, the court might have you pay your rent to the Court Registry, until a decision has been made and sometimes the court will even reduce your rent. But once again that is depending upon the living conditions. I hope this will help you out.

Answer 8

None. I am a renter and you can fight all you want in the courts.But the slum-lords get richer and we still are just Renter's. Almost a bad word to some. Some-day we'll all hit the lotto and live in our paid for mansions.ha ha