With 11 days left in the month, my landlord tells me my rent is going up

[KurtNYC]

or else get out.

His taxes and costs have gone up, blah blah blah... But there is nothing in my lease that says he can raise rent any time he wants. And then he reminds me in the same email that I need to give HIM 30 days notice if I am terminating. WTF?

He just lost a tenant on the 3rd floor who was paying $750 -- he offered me that apartment at $1000. Now he can't rent that so he is trying to raise my rent. Just ranting I guess... One of my pet peeves is people who just pretend that they can change a deal without renegotiating. The market is crappy and rents are falling. Plus my deal doesn't include heat so it is a great time to find one that does. But here comes a fight. Ugh.

[charlie and algernon]

1. does your contract have anything about paying utilities?

As in, you pay a certain percentage of whatever the utilities are?

I split the utilities bill with my roommate and while the core "rent" isn't changing, my rent bill for October may be as much as $200 more because the city doubled the water bill. Luckily that increased bill is only coming every 3 months (the rest will be the normal amount). But it forced me to find a second job, which I have an interview for on thursday. Hopefully I'll get it and will see that check before the rest is due on the 15th.

[KurtNYC]

10. water here is $103 every 3 months

and you really shouldn't drink the tap water. But $200 ?! -- dang.

[Ohio Joe]

2. Can he do that?

Laws vary from state to state but you should check it out as that does not sound like something he can do.

[Callalily]

3. As stated above, check the laws.

If you are renting month-to-month, he HAS to give you 30 days notice in writing.

Good luck! :hug:

[Gormy Cuss]

4. What an idiot.

It takes real chutzpah to try to change the rent in less than a month and then expect the tenant to abide by a 30 day notice.

It sounds hinky that you have a lease and he's trying to change the terms before the renewal period -- if you have a rental agreement instead of a lease the general rule is that landlords must notify tenants one full rent cycle in advance of increases. IOW, if you pay the rent weekly, it's a one week notice; monthly, a 30 day notice.

You really need to talk to someone or access a website spelling out the tenant laws where you are. I seriously doubt that what he's attempting to do is legal, but someone versed in the laws of your locality can give you a definitive answer.

[rbnyc]

5. Are you actually in NYC?

First, your landlord is an asshole and you do have rights. I'm sure there are pro-bono legal services or free resources for tenants. That's total BS.

Or, as you said, maybe it's time to get out anyway. If I were you, I'd pay my agreed upon rent and look for another place. Eviction takes a while.

That said, I can't believe there are apartments in NYC for only $750 - $1000. I used to rent 3 tiny rooms on Ave. B for $1,3000 - that was rent controlled and more than 15 years ago. About 13 years ago, I had a railroad in Brooklyn for $800 - that was a total find. It was $1,200 when I left it 4 years ago and then went on the market for $2500. We bought a house on Long Island because when we were looking for a true 2-bedroom in our neighborhood in Brooklyn, they were going for $2500 - $4500. It was WAY cheaper to buy a house out here.

[KurtNYC]

11. I'm up the river 90 miles

near Catskill NY. 1500 sf plus a garage for $850 plus utils. My last place in the City was 210 SF for $1150. When I left it went to $1600. It is like 2 different countries -- Manhattan rents versus normal ($1 per SF) rates.

[AtomicKitten]

6. Here are tenant's rights for NY --

http://www.oag.state.ny.us/bureaus/real_estate_finance/pdfs/tenants_rights_guide.pdf

Good luck.

[Xithras]

7. I'd be shocked if NY law didn't protect you.

Here in California, the law requires 30 days notice for increases up to 10%, and 60 days notice for increases over 10%.

[KurtNYC]

12. this is a 15% increase

hadn't thought about the percentage increase triggering a different minimum notice period. Thanks for that.

[zanana1]

8. As a landord...

I wouldn't dream of doing that, and I doubt that NH law would allow me to. It's only fair that he allow you at least 30 days notice, if not more. Up from $750 to $1000; now that's quite a shock. Do you think it's worth it and do you have time to look for something else?

[elleng]

9. As to your question about 'time,' interfering here,

but I sincerely doubt that NY or any other jurisdiction would take action to evict in so short a time. So yes, there's time to look for something else.

[haele]

13. Check with a tenant's rights lawyer -

Many of them have free consultations - if you don't think you need a lawyer, check the local library for renter's guides and tenent legal assistance books, then hie thee to a courthouse if you need to.

One thing I'm pretty sure of, though - if he can legally kick you out, he doesn't need the 30 day notice from you.

Honestly, sounds as if he's in need of a lot of money, and is in a panic. If your deposit was more than your current rent, he might be thinking he can re-rent quickly at the higher rate, get that deposit and still pocket your deposit money (because of excessive damages, or breaking of a lease, yadda, yadda)so he can pay off whatever he is coming to the deadline of. These apartments are his "ATM".
He doesn't seem to be thinking very straight.
Sorry this is happening. But a lawyer is your best bet at this point.

Haele