hello i have question ? im renting a house and i pay $1200 per month, i want to know what is the min or max that a landlord can rise the rent?
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hello i have question ? im renting a house and i pay $1200 per month, i want to know what is the min or max that a landlord can rise the rent?
The landlord rise it to another $250 on top of the original price, 1200+250=1450.is it fair?
Asked on June 13, 2009 under Real Estate Law, California
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 14 years ago | Contributor
Is the housing in low-income housing or some other type of housing where there are laws governing how much the landlord can raise the rent? If so, he/she is limited to the legal increase, and your cities housing department can help you figure out what that maximum is and also enforce it.
If not, then generally speaking, a landlord may ask anything he/she wants for rent; the question becomes whether anyone will pay it. Landlords are free to charge ridiculous amounts and let their property stand empty if they like.
Whether the increase is fair is a very context or case specific question. What do similar homes rent for you in area? That's the best gauge of "fair." But remember: a landlord does not need to be fair.
Note that if you think the landlord is trying to drive you out because he/she doesn't like your race, gender, religion, etc., then you might be able to have a housing discrimination claim, but that can be tough to prove--basically, you'd need to show that they raised the rent to drive you out, then let someone of a different race, gender, etc. rent for less. Also, if the landlord also lives in the home (such as in a separate apartment within it) then it's almost impossible to make a discrmination claim agains them.
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