Q: Is it legal for a landlord to require increased renter's insurance for lease renewal?
In my original lease, the renter's insurance required was $100,000 per year. My landlord has sent a letter stating that before I can renew my lease, I need to increase my renter's insurance to $300,000 per year. They mentioned this is to make sure I'm covered in case I do something to the apartment. Is it legal for my landlord to require this change?
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A:
A landlord can ask for a change in renter's insurance coverage, especially during lease renewal, as long as the request is reasonable and outlined in the lease agreement. If your original lease specified $100,000 in coverage, the landlord can ask for an increase, but it must be a fair and justifiable request. Landlords often require renters to carry insurance to cover potential damages to the property, but they cannot demand excessive coverage that is unreasonable for your situation.
However, this change must be communicated clearly and in accordance with the terms of your lease. If the original lease did not include a provision for the landlord to alter the insurance requirements, they may not have the legal right to unilaterally raise the coverage without your consent.
You can review your lease and, if necessary, discuss the change with the landlord to determine if it is something you can reasonably accommodate. If you feel the increase is unfair, you may want to seek legal advice to understand your options and how the insurance change might affect your lease renewal.
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