Free Rent Increase Notice Templates (U.S.) | Word – PDF

Rent Increase Notice is a letter sent to your tenants informing them of an upcoming rise in their rent payment. A rent increase notice template, on the other hand, is a generic form with fill-in-the-blank sections, allowing landlords to customize the form with rental unit information, tenant’s data, new rental rates, and other personalized information.

This type of notification occurs when a tenant’s lease is about to expire and needs renewal or when a tenant is on a month-to-month rental agreement. A rent increase helps landlords keep their properties competitive with the current rental market and help ensure the landlord is receiving the optimal rental rate for their properties. After deciding to raise the rent, a rent increase notice offers the tenant proper notification of the increase and gives them the option to renew their lease or vacate the premises.

Alternate names for a rent increase notice include Notice to Increase Rent, Rent Change Notice, and Letter to Increase Rent.

You can generate a rent increase notice template for your state using this:

What is a Rent Increase Notice Template?

Following are rent increase notice templates:

Rent Increase Notice Template - Editable Sample

Free Rent Increase Notice Example - Printable Form

Customizable Rent Increase Notice Template - Word Format

Printable Rent Increase Notice Form - Free Sample

    When is it Time for a Rent Increase?

    There are two circumstances when landlords issue rent increase notices – month-to-month rental agreements and at the end of a lease agreement. In most states, landlords must give tenants 30 days’ notice of a rent increase when their lease is up for renewal. However, depending upon local and state laws and the terms in your lease, notice may have to be delivered earlier, such as 60 or 90 days before their lease expires.

    Consult with an attorney to ensure proper notification because violating any rent increase notification laws could invalidate the increase.

    For month-to-month lease agreements, landlords may consider raising the rent to cover standard inflation, property upgrades, or meet the rental market’s increased demand.

    These are:

    Standard inflation

    Every year, the cost of goods and services increases, including the cost of housing. A rental rate increase is in response to standard inflation, which causes the rental market to respond to multiple long-term economic trends, the maintenance of the property, and other financial factors affected by inflation.

    Property upgrades

    If a rental unit or community amenities need significant upgrades, an increase in rent passes the costs on to the tenant. Upgrades help make rental properties more desirable and offer current renters access to new amenities or benefits to living in the rental unit. Recoup property upgrade costs by raising your tenant’s rent when it is time for renewal.

    Increased demand

    When the rental market experiences an increase in demand for rental units, the demand can lead to a rise in rental rates. Increased demand can arise from various factors, including a decline in comparable rental properties, natural disasters, new employment opportunities bringing in new residents, economic factors, a decrease in homeownership, and a result of more effective marketing. When the demand for rental properties increases, landlords can raise the rent to stay competitive with current economic trends.

    How to Write the Rent Increase Notice

    A rent increase letter has different components ensuring everything is legally covered when notifying your tenant of the upcoming rate increase. The sections include the header, concerning the lease, proposed increase, and a closing. A friendly yet-to-the-point letter can make all the difference when alerting tenants to the rise in their rent.

    Following are the important components of a rent increase notice:

    Rent increase header

    The rent increase header essentially serves as a greeting and introduction to what the tenant can expect from reading the letter. Items you must include in the header are the tenant’s name (all those who reside at the location), the property address, return address, landlord’s name, landlord’s contact information, the date the document was drafted/sent, and a greeting. In the greeting, address every tenant who signed the original lease agreement by name.

    The concerned lease

    The concerned lease section of the notice must include the original date of the existing lease when signed by both the landlord and tenants. Additionally, the type of lease, such as month-to-month, 6-month, or 12-month, should be included in this section. Finally, it is essential to reference the section of the existing lease agreement that indicates the terms surrounding rent increases and lease renewal details.

    The proposed increase

    The proposed increase section of the form may detail a variety of options that the tenant has for accepting the continued leasing of their property. In some cases, landlords offer only one option (usually a yearly lease), but many have different terms for different lengths of the lease. 

    Some of these terms are:

    • Rent increase amount – A straightforward explanation of the proposed increase in rent from what the tenant is currently paying
    • Current rent amount – This will show the amount that the tenant is currently paying, but you may also want to include some relevant information about the rental prices for similar properties in the area nearby. The reason for doing this is to help show the tenant that they may, in fact, have a fairly good deal set up with you at this time. They may not want to move so quickly to leave if they know that they are getting a reasonable offer as it stands. 
    • Payment due date – The specific day of each month that the rent is due. Make sure to include any information about late penalties or fees that can be added on if the tenant pays late. 
    • Notice period – Describe again the amount of time you are giving the tenant as notice of the rent increase. This allows the tenant enough time to decide what they want to do. 

    This section may also include information on different payment forms accepted and where tenants can pay their rent, such as online, in person, or by mail. At the end of the notice, describe your willingness to respond to the tenant’s queries.

    Closing

    The closing of the rent increase notice should include the signature of the landlord, property manager, or property owner and the date.

    Speak with your attorney to ensure property notification and response processes are within local laws and customs guidelines. The attorney can guide you through the timeline process and advise how long to keep digital copies of rent increase notifications and tenant responses.

    Rent Increase Notice Template

    Christine Chloe

    15TH Street Avenue

    House No. 13.

    Dear tenant,

    This notice letter sent on [Date], marks the official notice for our intention to raise the monthly rent for the house you currently occupy [House Address]. The landlord, Mr. Steve Branson, will affect the increment from the current [Current Rent] $359 to [New Rent] $400. The rental payment will be due before the seventh day of every month.

    Kindly note that the new increment will affect as from the [Date] 1st of February 20XX. If at all you don’t accept the increase in rent under the terms of this notice, you can notify us through email latest by [Date] 31st December 20XX. After the deadline, no comments, views, or concerns will be heard. Also, be informed that all the initial tenancy agreements will continue to remain valid even after the increment.

    Thank you very much for being a responsible tenant. We would wish you to continue with your tenancy.

    Sincerely

    Landlord’s signature

    Date

    How to Deliver a Rent Increase Notice

    How a rent increase notice is delivered is just as crucial as what to include in the notice because if the notice is not appropriately delivered with documentation, it can be disputed that the notice was ever received. Therefore, it is imperative to prove that the notice about the rent increase was given and received by the tenant. Additionally, sending a follow-up email helps provide a second layer of notification and response from your tenant.

    Different states require different methods to be used to deliver a rent increase notice. Check local and state laws or consult with an attorney for the best way to provide a rent increase notice to your tenants.

    Different methods for delivery include:

    Certified mail

    Delivering a rent increase notice by certified mail with a return receipt is a preferred delivery method because there is proof that the tenant received the notice. Upon delivery, the tenant signs the receipt, and the receipt is returned to the sender stamped with the delivery date. Keep this receipt for evidence that your tenant received the notification forms.

    Email

    Email is another method to deliver a rent increase notice in some states – only if the lease allows it. Email is a convenient way to send the notice, but it is difficult to 100 percent prove the tenant received the notification without specific email programs.

    In-person delivery

    Delivering the rent increase notice in person allows for confirmation that the tenant received the notice; however, this can put much pressure on the tenant. In addition, though it may not be your intent, delivering in person may intimate the tenant, which is not helpful when notifying them of a rent increase.

    How to Raise the Rent (For Landlord)

    Consider the following when determining how to raise the rent:

    Determine if the property eligible for a rent increase

    It is essential to stay informed about local and state limits on rent increase amounts and notification timelines. Confer with your attorney to determine how much of a rent increase the property is eligible for and other laws and restrictions regarding rent increase notifications. Additionally, there may be limitations on how much you can raise the rent if your tenant has a disability, or the increase is considered discriminatory under the Fair Housing Act.

    If your property qualifies for Section 8, you must submit for approval before increasing the rental rate. You cannot raise the rent to punish an unruly tenant. Additionally, an increase cannot occur during the terms of an existing lease agreement.

    Decide the new rent amount

    When deciding on a new rent amount, the first thing to consider is what other comparable units are charging. Several online resources can help determine the current market rate for your rental unit’s size, location, and amenities. These websites include Rentometer.com, Zillow.com, and Craigslist, all offering a way to see current monthly rental amounts based on the address of your rental property. Base your decision on the facts about your property compared to other properties and not what you think the rent should be.

    Check current lease agreement

    The lease agreement determines if and when a rent increase can occur. Most leases get signed for one year, and the rent amount remains at a fixed rate until it is up for renewal. However, month-to-month lease agreements may not have a specific end date but require the landlord to read thoroughly to determine if a rent increase is allowed.

    Check for state specific notice periods

    As mentioned above, it is vital to check with your local municipal and state laws to see if there are any prohibiting raising the rent by a specific amount. Next, check with the laws to see the requirements regarding rent increase notice periods before the new rate goes into effect. For example, states like Arkansas and Washington require 30-day notification, while states like Georgia, Maine, and New York do not have any statutes regarding notice periods. Additionally, states such as Vermont and Delaware require 60-day notification of a rental rate increase.

    Write and send rent increase notice

    Once you set the new rate, it is time to write the letter informing your tenant of the increase. The letter must be sent via certified mail with a return receipt to ensure the tenant receives the notice. Once delivered, the postal service returns the receipt to you and should be kept in your records. Other methods used to send a rent increase notice may include via email or in-person delivery.

    Now it is up to your tenant to make an informed decision if they plan to renew their lease and pay the new rent rate, counteroffer, or move out.

    How to Calculate the Rent Increase (For Tenant)

    On average, most landlords increase rent by one or two percent each lease renewal to match inflation rates. Several factors can help you calculate how much of a rent increase to implement for your rental properties. First, check with local laws to ensure you abide by any rent stabilization regulations. Second, check the existing lease to see if any terms set how much of a rent increase is allowed. Make sure the laws and the lease have been verified.

    Then consider the following factors to determine how much of a rent increase to implement:

    • Current market prices for comparable rentals in the community
    • How often do other rentals implement rent increases in the community
    • Rate of inflation

    Related: 9+ Sample rent increase letters

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How much can the landlord increase the rent?

    In most circumstances, there is no set maximum cap for rent increases. The only exceptions will be if the existing lease states a limit, or the rental is in a municipality with a rent increase cap set.

    How to collect the new monthly rent?

    Include how you intend to collect the new monthly rent in the rent increase notice and the new lease. Different methods to collect the new rent include online rent collection websites using credit or debit cards and in-person or mail using checks or money orders.

    When is it time for rent to decrease?

    Unfortunately, as a landlord, there may be times when you have to decrease the rental rate for your properties. For example, it may be time to reduce rent if the current local market is oversaturated or a severe decline in property values.

    When should you keep the rent the same?

    Sometimes the market does not justify an increase, nor does it indicate there should be a decrease in rental rates. In situations where you want to retain your tenant, or there is an economic downturn, you may want to consider keeping the rent the same for one more lease term.

    How to encourage a response to the rent increase notice from your tenant?

    To encourage your tenant to respond to the rent increase notice in writing, consider including a self-addressed, stamped envelope along with a response letter the tenant can quickly fill out, sign, and date. If completing the form digitally, use a program that allows the tenant to fill in the information and sign the online document quickly.

    About This Article

    David Waterman
    Authored by:
    Legal Writing, Tax Law, Real Estate, Technology Start-ups | Graduate in Tax Law BA in History
    David Waterman, an accomplished legal writer and expert in tax law, real estate, and technology start-ups, hails from Rutland, Vermont. He completed his undergraduate studies with a BA in History in 2010 before graduating from Georgetown University Law Center in 2014. During his time at Georgetown, David actively contributed to the Tax Journal and dedicated his efforts to the immigration clinic as a volunteer. Since graduating, he has honed his expertise in tax law, showcasing his passion for the subject matter. Alongside tax law, David's professional interests also extend to the realms of real estate and technology start-ups, reflecting his diverse and dynamic approach to the legal field.

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