Rent increase checker
Know if it's legal before you pay it
I rent in .
Rent goes from $ to $.
Your increase
+16.7%
+$300 a month · $3,600 a year
Pick your state to check it
The email comes on a Tuesday. Your rent is going up, from $1,800 to $2,100.
That's $3,600 more a year.
It reads final. Official. So most people just pay it.
But in some states that raise is capped. In most, it needs enough written notice. Miss either and it may not hold.
You don't need a lawyer to check. You need two numbers and your state.
Three steps
- 1
Work out the increase
New rent minus old, as a percent.
$300÷$1,800=16.7% - 2
Check the cap
A few states cap yearly raises. Most don't.
16.7%vs10% cap→Over - 3
Check the notice
Bigger raises often need more notice.
30 daysvs90 needed→Too short
How much, and how soon
The cap
Only a few states limit how much rent can rise each year. Many cities have their own limits.
The notice
Usually 30 days in writing. Often more for big raises. Short notice can void it.
Where rent is capped
| State | Yearly cap | Notice |
|---|---|---|
| California | ~10% | 30–90 days |
| Oregon | ~10% | 90 days |
| Washington | ~10% | 90 days |
Everywhere else: no statewide cap. More on rent caps →
Good to know
How much can my landlord raise rent?+
In most states, there's no limit. A few, like California and Oregon, cap yearly raises. Many cities have their own rules.
How much notice do I need?+
Usually 30 days in writing. Big raises often need more. California requires 90 for raises over 10%.
Can rent go up mid-lease?+
Usually not. A fixed-term lease locks your rent unless it says otherwise.
What if I didn't get proper notice?+
The raise may not hold. Ask for it in writing and keep the notice.