Landlord guide

How to raise the rent: a rent increase notice checklist

Raising rent is routine, but a late or sloppy notice can delay the increase or cost you a good tenant. Here is the order to do it in, what the notice should say, and what to keep on file.

The short version

Check the lease, check your state and city rules, choose a fair number and an effective date that respects the notice period, put it in writing, deliver it the way the law allows, and keep proof.

1. Check the lease first

  • Fixed-term lease: rent is usually locked until the term ends unless the lease itself allows a mid-term increase.
  • Month-to-month: increases are generally allowed with proper written notice.
  • Read any renewal, notice, or rent-change clause before you pick a number.

2. Check your state and city rules

  • Required notice period (it can depend on the size of the increase or how long the tenant has lived there).
  • Any rent control, rent stabilization, or cap on annual increases.
  • Rules on how notice must be delivered (mail, in person, posting, email).
  • Limits on how often rent can be raised.

3. Pick the number and the date

  • Compare current rent to similar nearby rentals.
  • Weigh the increase against what a turnover would cost you: vacant weeks, cleaning, paint, and re-listing.
  • Set the effective date on the first day of a rental period, after the notice period has fully run.

4. Write the notice

  • Tenant names and property address (including unit number).
  • Current rent, new rent, and the date the new rent starts.
  • What stays the same (the rest of the lease terms).
  • How and where to pay the new amount.
  • Your name, contact information, the date, and your signature.

5. Deliver it and keep proof

  • Use the delivery method your lease and local law allow.
  • Keep a copy of the notice and proof of delivery (mailing receipt, signed acknowledgment, or a dated photo if posted).
  • Put the effective date on your calendar and update your rent records.

Sample notice wording

“Dear [tenant names], this is written notice that the monthly rent for [address, unit] will change from $[current] to $[new], effective [date]. All other terms of your lease remain the same. Please pay the new amount by [method] starting with the [month] payment. Questions? Contact me at [phone/email]. [Your name, signature, date].”

Adjust the wording to fit your lease and your state’s requirements.

Keeping a good tenant

Before you send the notice, compare the increase to the cost of an empty unit. A modest raise with plenty of notice, and maybe a repair the tenant has been asking for, often keeps a reliable tenant in place. Raising rent at renewal fits naturally with the lease renewal checklist.

Treat every tenant the same way

Use the same process and similar reasoning for every unit. Never raise rent in response to a tenant’s repair request or complaint, or based on a protected characteristic. Retaliation and discrimination rules apply to rent increases.

Related guides

See the tenant screening checklist, security deposit deductions, and the free rent-ready checklist.

Frequently asked questions

How much notice do I have to give before raising the rent?

It depends on your state, sometimes your city, and your lease. Many places require written notice for month-to-month tenancies, and some require longer notice for larger increases or longer tenancies. Check your current state and local law before you send a notice.

Can I raise the rent in the middle of a lease?

Usually not during a fixed-term lease unless the lease specifically allows it. Most landlords raise rent at renewal or, for month-to-month tenants, with proper written notice.

Do I have to explain why I am raising the rent?

In most places you do not have to give a reason, though some rent-controlled areas have specific rules. A short, honest explanation, such as higher taxes or insurance, often helps keep a good tenant.

Can a rent increase be illegal?

Yes. An increase can be unlawful if it breaks rent control or notice rules, or if it is used to retaliate against a tenant or to discriminate. Apply the same approach to every tenant and document your reasons.

Is this legal advice?

No. This is general education. Landlord-tenant rules vary by state and city; check your local law or consult a licensed attorney.

General educational information only, not legal advice. Landlord-tenant law varies by state and city; check your local law or consult a licensed attorney.