Q: Owner wants to increase my rent another $100 a month after I just signed a lease to fix my unit. Is that legal?
I told him I have been needing repairs such as getting my kitchen and bathroom cabinets fixes because they do not shut anymore because they're so old. A repair guy came in my unit today to see the cabinets and he agrees that they can't be fixed, they need to be replaced. The owner was made aware and said he's willing to replace all my cabinets with new ones as well as new tiles for my kitchen and bathroom floors but he would increase my rent by $100 more a month because he says doing that will cost a lot.
I just signed a lease a month ago for a rent increase and now he wants to do it again because of his costly repairs? Is this fair?
A: There are legal requirements which the landlord must follow regarding increasing your rent, some of which depend on how long you have been residing there and what kind of rental agreement you have. But is he abides by the law and gives you proper notice, he can certainly increase the rent. You have to determine whether the rent is reasonable for you and whether you can get a comparable rental at a lower price. Perhaps you could negotiate a postponement of the increase, or a smaller one, or a split with two increases several months apart. Bear in mind he wants you unit rented. So be courteous, negotiate!
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
