What is used to determine how much a tenants rent can be raised at one time?

Full question:

On 12/05/08 I purchased a small building in Pennsylvania. The two tenants have been living there for one year; I need to increase their rent. They are paying $600.00 a month for a six room apartment and I don't know how much to increase the rent. The oil prices are killing me.

Answer:

Pennsylvania state has no rent control law, although you may wish to check to see if there's a local rent control ordinance. Notice of the rent increase should be provided prior to the expiration of the lease term, or in accord with the terms of the lease for notice of a rent increase. I suggest checking local listings in the newspaper or online, such as www.rent.com, to compare rental rates for comparable properties.

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

In Pennsylvania, there is no statewide rent control, so landlords can generally increase rent as they see fit. However, they must provide proper notice to tenants as specified in the lease agreement or according to local laws. It's advisable to check local ordinances that may impose limits on rent increases.