Rent Increase Letter Template (Email + PDF) - 2025 Guide
Raising rent requires proper notice and documentation. This guide provides templates and explains the legal requirements for rent increases in different states and situations.
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
When Can You Raise Rent?
The timing of rent increases depends on your lease type and local regulations.
- Fixed-term lease: Only at lease renewal, not during the term
- Month-to-month: With proper advance notice (30-90 days)
- Rent control areas: May have specific increase limits
- During initial lease term: Usually not allowed
- After lease expires (holdover): Varies by state
- Check for local ordinances that may restrict increases
Required Notice Periods
States require different amounts of advance notice before a rent increase takes effect.
- 30 days: Common for month-to-month leases
- 60 days: California (increase over 10%), Oregon
- 90 days: Required for large increases in some states
- Longer notice for subsidized housing
- Notice must be written (not verbal)
- Check if your state requires certified mail
- Count notice period from delivery, not mailing
Elements of a Valid Rent Increase Notice
A proper rent increase notice must contain specific information to be legally valid.
- Property address and unit number
- Current rent amount
- New rent amount
- Effective date of increase
- Landlord signature
- Date of notice
- Reference to lease terms allowing increase
- Payment instructions if changed
Rent Increase Limits
Some areas limit how much and how often rent can be increased.
- California: 10% max per year (plus inflation) for many units
- Oregon: 7% + CPI max per year statewide
- New York City: Rent stabilized units have specific limits
- San Francisco: Rent board sets annual limit
- No limits in most states without rent control
- Subsidized housing has its own rules
- Check local ordinances in addition to state law
Best Practices for Landlords
Follow these practices to maintain good tenant relationships while protecting your interests.
- Research comparable rents in your area
- Explain the reason for the increase (optional but helpful)
- Give more notice than legally required when possible
- Consider tenant history and reliability
- Keep increases reasonable to avoid turnover
- Time increases strategically (avoid holiday season)
- Document delivery of the notice
Frequently Asked Questions
Most states require 30 days notice for month-to-month tenants. Some states require 60-90 days for larger increases. For fixed-term leases, rent typically cannot be increased until renewal unless the lease specifically allows it.
In most areas without rent control, yes - landlords can raise rent by any amount with proper notice. However, California limits increases to 10% + CPI, and Oregon limits increases to 7% + CPI. Local rent control laws may have additional restrictions.
You can refuse, but that typically means you must move out when your lease ends or when the notice period expires for month-to-month tenancies. In rent-controlled areas, you may have additional rights to challenge improper increases.
This depends on your state and lease terms. Some states accept email if the lease allows electronic communication. Many landlords use email as a courtesy but also send written notice by mail or in person to ensure legal compliance.
Yes, as long as the reason is not discriminatory (based on race, religion, family status, etc.). Different tenants may have different lease terms, market conditions when they signed, or other legitimate reasons for different rent amounts.
Create Your Rent Increase Notice
Use our guided form to generate a professional, compliant rent increase letter.
Create Rent Increase Notice