Differences in rent increase?

Question

We moved into a duplex unit 1 year ago. Recently, our 12 month lease agreement expired and the landlord sent us a letter notifying us of a rent increase. We checked with the tenant in the other duplex unit who told us that he did not have a rent increase since he moved in 3 years ago.

We are dismayed at this as we have always been prompt in paying the rent. What are the possible reasons for the discrepancy? How do we negotiate with the landlord not to increase the rent? We live in CA.

Answer 1

.   The landlord is taking a chance when she does this. She may lose you.  I want you to treat this like she is running a business.  Shop around and see what you can get before you negotiate. So when she says "I am the cheapest in town" you will know if that is true or not.  Sometimes a landlord wants you to move out. They want to put a son in your rental.  They get you out by raising the rent a lot.

Answer 2

I live in California.

You cant do anything about the landlord raising the rent reguardless of the amount or if the other side of the duplex's was raised.

Unless it states in your lease agreement about a cut off in rent increase amount then there is absolutely nothing that can be done. If your rent was lets say $900 and he raises it $500, theres nothing you can do about it. You either have to come up with the rent, or move. I know it isnt fair, I rent myself and have dealt with enough slumlords and know CA rental law well.

Answer 3

I know that here in NY most of the leases I deal with have a yearly CPI increase, that can be anywhere from 3 -10% yearly.I suggest that you talk to the landlord and see if you can negotiate with him on the increase.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

I know this is disappointing, but it is not the sign of a slum lord, as previously pointed out.  You shouldn't think that.  

A landlord may increase rents on any unit he or she wishes at his discretion when a lease is up.  The landlord has to deal with "inflation" (which is ACTUALLY the de-valuation of our dollar) so they raise rent.  A landlord can also use this method to get rid of a tenant he or she doesn't want.  Maybe he wants to rehab that unit and get you out first so he can charge even MORE rent.  Maybe what you are renting it at now isn't comparable to other units of like size in that area, or it would be if it was rehabbed.  You really just don't know these things as a tenant, nor would you bother to think about them, but your landlord does.

There's nothing you can do, and I seriously doubt you can negotiate.  I don't negotiate with my tenants!  My price is based on the things I mentioned above, plus my expenses to hold the property (heating oil, driveway maintenance, common repairs, insurance, mortgage, etc), and my tenants have NO IDEA how to even begin to do the math on those things.  They don't know what's involved, or they'd own their own apartment building!  Rent is not negotiable.  There is nothing that says that all units must be charged at the same rate.  In fact, go online to ANY large apartment complex's website, and you will see them give a range for rents on units that are the same size and offer the same floor plan.  

You are not being treated un fairly, you are simply un educated on how this whole thing works as a landlord.

Answer 5

If the law is like it is here then they are alowed to increas the rent every twelve months...maybe this is a recent decision to hike up the rents and the other tenant 12 month cycle hasn't come around yet and when it does they will also get a rent increase.  Also, here, there is a max percent of the current rent that they can increase the rent by.  Check into the rental laws in California.

Answer 6

It is normal to expect a rent increase at the end of your lease. The landlord's costs (property taxes, insurance, maintenance) increase over time and they need the increase to maintain the same profit. You can avoid a rent increase by signing a longer lease. It might be better to shop around. Many landlords offer discounts to attract tenants with the idea that they will recover the discount by increasing rent at renewals. They know that people do not like to move once they settle in.