About to renew my lease and landlord raises rent without notice?

Question

In my lease, it states that I HAVE to give my landlord 3 months notice that I'm vacating. So, I'm about to renew the lease this week when he calls and says he's raising the rent a hundred dollars.

It's not a big deal except he didn't say anything about this 3 months ago when I could have chosen not to renew, but decides to tell me when I don't have a choice and have to renew the lease.

Anything I can do? Not looking to vacate, but is there any way I can use this as a little leverage against him, as he's so strict about other things like when people from out of town stay over, etc..

I'm in NYC, by the way.

Answer 1

The only time he gets to raise the rent is when you renew. Next time don't be "quiet" about this.  Ask if the rent is changing.

Answer 2

Really it depends on the lease, I'll bet it says when the lease is up he can raise rent at his discretion. Most leases go into a month to month at the end, with it being terminable with 30 day notice by either party, it sounds like you signed a bad lease. Good luck.

Answer 3

He knows the law, and he is using it to his advantage to get more money out of you.  He has not done anything illegal.

Don't sign anything.  Tell him you can't afford it and you're moving.  Give him 30 days notice.  He might lower it to $50 increase..

Answer 4

do some research on line on NY lease laws see if there is anything either in laws or your lease regarding them giving you notice for rent raising

Also If you have Not yet signed the lease than in reality you can give him notice and leave and If i am not mistaken can only sign the lease for Month to month at which he has to only charge the original rent

i am Almost certain on this

there are some great legal forums for this.

Is your rental unit rent controlled or subsidized??

If not how is he able to tell you that you can not have over night guests??

Is that in the lease?

All that sounds awfully strange

i would get busy and do some digging on NY tenant laws.

http://www.google.com/search?q=NY+rental...

this link is really helpful

http://www.housingnyc.com/html/resources...

if you need more help email me through my profile i would be happy to help you i fought my landlord myself due to discrimination and i won all with the help of the internet

Answer 5

I believe that he HAS to notify you of the rent increase at the time of the lease renewal ....

So; what does your lease say your rent is .... He is NOT allowed to make the rent Higher than stated in your written agreement..... UNLESS it says he can raise the rent without notice ....