A rent increase notice gives the tenant an official letter stating the rent will be increasing within a given time period. If the tenant accepts the increase, they will pay rent under the same instructions but in the new amount. If the tenant does not accept the increase, they are given the right to vacate the property and seek alternative housing. It’s recommended a rent increase notice is sent by Certified Mail with a return receipt that acknowledges the tenant received the letter.
A rent increase notice is for month-to-month tenancy only.
Table of Contents
- By Type (4)
- How to Give a Rent Increase Notice? (5 steps)
- Required Notice (By State)
- Sample – Rent Increase Notice
By Types (4)
Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word, Rich Text Format
iPropertyManagement.com Version
Download: Adobe PDF
How to Give a Rent Increase Notice (5 steps)
- Step 1 – Find the Original Lease
- Step 2 – Write the Letter
- Step 3 – Send the Notice
- Step 4 – Communicate with the Tenant
- Step 5 – Tenant Stays or Vacates
Step 1 – Find the Original Lease
Find the original lease and review its details. Find the clause related to the required notice period for increasing the monthly rent. If it’s not listed in the lease, the landlord may use their State’s Required Notice Period. To reference the lease in the notice, the lease start date is also required to be entered.
Step 2 – Write the Letter
The landlord should write the notice using any required details from the lease. After the form has been completed it should be signed by the landlord.
Step 3 – Send the Notice
For any official notice, the recommended sending option is Certified Mail with return receipt. After the letter is delivered, the landlord will receive a receipt from the USPS that will include the signature of the person who received the notice.
Step 4 – Communicate with the Tenant
After the tenant has received notice, the landlord is advised to speak with the tenant. The main objective is to find out if the tenant will accept the new rent amount or choose to terminate the agreement. The tenant also has the right to say nothing and move out of the property.
The landlord should find out in order to market and advertise the property as soon as possible.
Step 5 – Tenant Stays or Vacates
On the date the new rent amount is due, the landlord will know whether the tenant accepted the lease’s new terms. If the tenant pays the rent, the lease will continue as before at a higher amount. If the tenant vacates, the landlord will have repossession of the property and be able to lease to someone else.
Some States require the landlord give a minimum required notice period such as 30 days before the tenant is forced to pay the increased rent. Use the table below to figure the required time period under the property’s jurisdiction.
State Required Limits
Use the table below to find the rent increase limits in each State.
| State | Minimum Required Time-Limit | Statutes |
| Alabama | No statute | No statute |
| Alaska | 30 days | PUB-30 Page 17 |
| Arizona | ||
| Arkansas | ||
| California | ||
| Colorado | ||
| Connecticut | ||
| Delaware | ||
| Florida | ||
| Georgia | ||
| Hawaii | ||
| Idaho | ||
| Illinois | ||
| Indiana | ||
| Iowa | ||
| Kansas | ||
| Kentucky | ||
| Louisiana | ||
| Maine | ||
| Maryland | ||
| Massachusetts | ||
| Michigan | ||
| Minnesota | ||
| Mississippi | ||
| Missouri | ||
| Montana | ||
| Nebraska | ||
| Nevada | ||
| New Hampshire | ||
| New Jersey | ||
| New Mexico | ||
| New York | ||
| North Carolina | ||
| North Dakota | ||
| Ohio | ||
| Oklahoma | ||
| Oregon | ||
| Pennsylvania | ||
| Rhode Island | ||
| South Carolina | ||
| South Dakota | ||
| Tennessee | ||
| Texas | ||
| Utah | ||
| Vermont | ||
| Virginia | ||
| Washington | ||
| Washington D.C. | ||
| West Virginia | ||
| Wisconsin | ||
| Wyoming |
Sample – Rent Increase Notice
Download: Adobe PDF, MS Word, Rich Text Format
