As a tenant, rent increases are not welcome at all. And although many Palatine property managers endeavor to raise rent occasionally and reasonably, others will do so suddenly and dramatically, leaving you with few viable options. Renters sometimes feel trapped and powerless as a result of competitive rental markets and a shortage of affordable homes, which has only made the issue worse.
So what choices do tenants who are facing a rent hike have? Are there regulations that your landlord must abide by? And what does the law say about rent increases? The first step to easily deal with any rent increase is to know the answers to these questions.
Are there regulations on how much a landlord can increase the rent?
In the majority of states, landlords are permitted to raise the rent at the end of a lease by any amount as long as they give the required notice. However, there are rent control laws in some states and towns that place restrictions on how frequently and how much a landlord can raise the rent. For instance, a landlord is only entitled to raise the rent by a maximum of 10% plus any local rent control adjustments in California. Also, proper notice must be given before the increased rent is due. Rent control regulations exist in several other places, including New York City, Oregon, Washington D.C., and parts of New Jersey.
What does the law say regarding rent increases?
There is no federal statute that currently regulates rent hikes. Many renters may view this as terrible news, especially if they reside in an already costly housing market. However, discriminatory or retaliatory rent increases are forbidden under federal fair housing laws. This means that they cannot increase the rent for a tenant based on their color, religion, gender, disability, or national origin, nor can they do so if you have made late payments.
What choices do tenants who will soon be paying more rent have? You have rights as a renter even though the law might not forbid rent hikes. It’s crucial to first review your lease or rental agreement to see whether there are any restrictions on rent increases. Occasionally, a lease will specify how much notice a landlord must provide for a rent increase and the maximum amount they can increase the rent by. Because a lease is a legally binding contract, your landlord must abide by the terms that were agreed upon. Knowing your state landlord/tenant laws is also recommended; this topic is regularly covered here.
Occasionally, your landlord may be compelled to justify rent increases. If the landlord cannot provide a solid justification for the increase, such as property renovations or market value changes, they may not be able to legally increase the rent.
You might want to attempt negotiating with your landlord if your lease does not address rent increases. This can entail negotiating a longer lease in exchange for maintaining the present rent or recommending different payment plans if the increase is too significant. However, keep in mind that the landlord is not required to bargain with you.
However, you could consider filing a complaint with your state or local housing agency if you believe your landlord’s rent increase violates the terms of your lease, state or local law, or other rules. They might be in a position to conduct an investigation, assist in negotiating a settlement, or offer legal support.
If the increase is lawful, negotiation fails, and you cannot pay the higher rent, you may have to locate a new rental or sublease the space (make sure to check your lease to ensure this is allowable). A smart approach to assist you to stay in your house, if your landlord is willing, is to locate a roommate or sublet your rental.
Some tenants may also feel offended or furious and want to take action to protest the rent rise if they have no other alternatives. While such a response is logical, it would be unwise to take it. For instance, it is not advised to withhold rent out of resentment over a rent rise as this could result in eviction proceedings. The same goes for your obligation to keep the rental property tidy and in good working order. Before making any decisions, make sure to carefully explore your rights and options because breaching any of the terms of your lease may have negative effects.
It’s critical to understand your options and rights as a tenant in the event of a rise in rent. Finding the appropriate course of action for your particular situation may also be helped by consulting a legal expert.
If you’re looking to rent a home that’s managed professionally and fairly, check out what Real Property Management Northwest Chicago Suburbs has to offer. You can call our office or view our listings online.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
