rent increase legal?

Question

I am the only tenant getting a rent increase. Is this allowed?  2 weeks ago, the landlord told me I better move out because he was tired of fixing the toilet. It keeps getting loose from the floor and he said I (a disabled senior) move the toilet myself just to make him pay for a plumber.

Alan Pederson · Answer

Talk to your landlord. He wouldn't need to give you an entirely new lease (up to him of course), he could simply fill out a form that lets him add to your lease. An addendum. In this case, the new rent amount. The refusal is kind of implied. If he wants to raise your rent, in most instances, he probably can and charge whatever he wants. You can either agree to pay the new amount or not. If not, you need to either find a new place to live or try to negotiate the amount of the rent increase so both of you come to an agreement. He doesn't have to negotiate but it doesn't hurt to try. I'm no lawyer and I don't know the laws where you live. Communication is very important, if you can work things out great. If not, it's time to pack.

Alan Pederson · Answer

He gave you notice of a rent increase which he can do if you're on a month to month. You may have had a one year lease to start with but does it change to a month to month after that first year? If so, then he can increase your rent anytime he wants if he gives you the proper notice. You do not have to agree to the new amount. Your options would be to move or try to negotiate what the rent increase will be. If you refuse, he can evict.

Steven Foster Wilson · Answer

@Caroline Chaudhary this guy doesn't sound too good, but here are the rules and laws

"Therefore, rent is fixed during the lease term. In month-to-month tenancies, however, landlords can change the rules of tenancy more easily. In fact, the landlord is only required to give tenants 30 days written notice to change a term of the tenancy, including a rent increase (RCW 59.18.140)."

Caroline Chaudhary · Answer

ok ty for your help.  I will speak with him.

Caroline Chaudhary · Answer

Nothing in the lease states about rent increases, only about automatic renewal. So if a rent increase, does he have to give me a new lease to sign? Because the rent increase letter doesn't give me an option to refuse or accept it.

Caroline Chaudhary · Answer

no my lease automatically renews unless I give a 60 day notice that I plan to move out OR the landlord gives a 60 day notice that he wants me to move out.  He hand delivered me the rent increase letter that starts on 4/1 the new rent but isn't giving me a new lease. So my lease when it automatically renews on 4/1 will still have the old rent on it.

Caroline Chaudhary · Answer

ok i guess nobody has an answer.  So, I'll change it.  He hand delivered me a rent increase letter. But my lease has the old rent on it.  If I don't pay the rent increase, can he still evict me.

rent increase legal?

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