Can the landlord raise the rent for tenants of XYZ Apartments?

Full question:

The tenants of XYZ Apartments just received notice that Landlord will be increasing the rent in 30 days. Tenant A is a month-to-month tenant who is outraged by the rent increase and thinks that it is unlawful and refuses to pay it. Tenant B has a lease agreement with Landlord, and assumes that the rent increase must be complied with. Can Landlord raise the rent on XYZ Apartments? Who is correct Tenent A or Tenant B?

Answer:

Landlords can raise rent differently for month-to-month tenants and those with lease agreements. Tenant A, who is month-to-month, can have their rent increased with 30 days' notice, which is typically lawful. Therefore, Tenant A must pay the increased rent.

In contrast, Tenant B, who has a lease agreement, is correct in assuming that the rent increase cannot be enforced until the lease period ends. A lease generally protects tenants from rent increases until the lease expires.

In summary, Tenant A must comply with the rent increase, while Tenant B does not.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

To argue against a rent increase, tenants should first review their lease agreement for any clauses regarding rent adjustments. They can gather evidence of market rates for similar properties to show that the increase is excessive. Additionally, tenants may want to communicate directly with the landlord to discuss their concerns and negotiate the increase. If necessary, they can seek legal advice or assistance from local tenant advocacy groups.