What to Do If You Think Your Rent Increase May Be Unlawful
A step-by-step playbook for tenants facing a rent hike that may exceed their state's rules — without lawyering up on day one.
Step 1: Get everything in writing
Email is your friend. Reply to your landlord asking them to confirm the new rent amount, the effective date, and the legal basis for the increase. Don't accuse — just ask.
Keep your old lease, the new lease offer, the notice you received, and any text or email exchange. You'll want every date and dollar figure documented.
Step 2: Verify against the actual rule
Use the tool on the homepage to see how the increase compares to your state's published benchmark, and check our state guide for the specific statute.
If you're rent stabilized or rent controlled, look up the current Allowable Rent Increase published by your local rent board.
Step 3: Send a polite but firm response
Use the in-tool message generator to produce a written response that: (a) acknowledges you received the notice, (b) references the published rule that may be relevant, and (c) asks them to either justify or revise the increase.
Send it via email so you have a timestamp.
Step 4: Escalate if needed
If the landlord won't engage, contact your local rent board (in stabilized cities) or your state attorney general's housing division.
Tenant-rights organizations like Tenants Together (CA), Met Council on Housing (NYC), or your local Legal Aid office offer free counseling and can write a stronger letter at no cost. For your specific situation, a licensed attorney is the right person to advise you.
Most tenant attorneys recommend continuing to pay the previous rent amount in full while a question is being resolved — but consult a licensed attorney before changing what you pay or stopping payments.