Can the landlord raise the rent before the lease is up?

Question

Just received a note from the "Annual Apartment Registration". The legal rent is apparently $1282 and the rent that I have been paying so far every month, the preferential rent, is $1250. The lease is up on 12/31/08. Can the landlord try to charge us the $1282 before the lease is up? Why did we receive this note/form? Thanks.

Answer 1

Judging only by the million episodes of judge judy I've seen, I'd say no he cannot do it because a lease is a contract. You would also have to agree to this payment before it legally stands.

Answer 2

First of all, ask your Landlord why the lease increased. They can tell you the reason and then back this up with the lease agreement by reading it. If you can't find in the lease agreement ask the Landlord to point out where it says that they can increase it.  

Answer 3

NOPE, generally that's the whole point of a lease, to set rental amount for lease term

Are you under rent control?  It may be that is what they can charge at renewal

Call your LL or management and ask what it means

Answer 4

Has anything changed?  Do you now have a pet?  Look at your lease & see if you had a reduced rate for the first 6 months.  They cannot raise your rent in the middle of the lease without justification...which would be explained in your lease.

Answer 5

Read your lease - that is what prevails.

Answer 6

You need to read your lease.   It sounds like the rent has always been 1282 and you had some sort of discount.  The discount could expire before the lease in whole does, you need to read your original paperwork.

Answer 7

What does your lease say? Maybe you were given a lesser amount for a certain period of time and now it is time to go up to the actual amount? If this is not addressed in the lease then the answer is NO, there is no legal way to raise the rent while a lease is in effect. I have never heard of the Annual Apartment Registration. Maybe this is notice to let you know that the rent will go up to $1282 on January 1 if you choose to renew the lease? Sounds like a lot of notice!