A notice of rent increase is a document designed for notifying tenants about an increase in property rent within a specific period of time. Since rent control exists only in a few jurisdictions, landlords are generally allowed to raise the rent without any limits on the amount. However, it is recommended to let tenants know about such a decision within specific time frames. Use our rent increase notice template to inform your tenant, and our steps to prepare a rental agreement too.
Last Updated: October 2026. This guide is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect current law. If you notice an error or outdated information, please contact us.
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Although there are usually no limitations for landlords in a desirable amount of lease changes, you should always use a common-sense approach and consider that such financial changes can deprive you of a diligent tenant. Therefore, the new rent amount should be justified and have a reasonable explanation, such as:
There can be a range of reasonable explanations to change the rental terms of use. Nevertheless, landlords may face some important restrictions on this issue. Check the following limits before you decide on a new amount:
Frequently, landlords raise costs by 3–5% percent. If rent increases, a tenant can decide to change the apartment to a more affordable one. For this reason, when deciding to raise rent costs, landlords must do careful research, which includes:
Rent increase notice rules vary by location, so confirm the rule that applies to your rental before you send anything. FormsPal's verified state data covers 49 jurisdictions, which are 48 states and DC. In 11 of the 49 jurisdictions covered, the law sets a rent increase notice rule. In 9 of those 11 states, the rule counts the notice in days, from 30 to 90 days depending on the state.
| STATES | MIN. NOTICE PERIOD |
| Alabama | No Statute |
| Alaska | 30 Days |
| Arizona | No Statute |
| Arkansas | No Statute |
| California | 30 OR 60 Days |
| Colorado | No Statute |
| Connecticut | No Statute |
| Delaware | 60 Days |
| Florida | No Statute |
| Georgia | No Statute |
| Hawaii | 45 Days |
| Idaho | 15 Days |
| Illinois | No Statute |
| Indiana | 30 Days |
| Iowa | 30 Days |
| Kansas | As Stated in the Rental Agreement |
| Kentucky | No Statute |
| Louisiana | No Statute |
| Maine | 45 Days |
| Maryland | No Statute |
| Massachusetts | 30 Days |
| Michigan | No Statute |
| Minnesota | Period of Rent plus 1 Day |
| Mississippi | No Statute |
| Missouri | No Statute |
| Montana | 15 Days |
| Nebraska | As Stated in the Rental Agreement |
| Nevada | 45 Days |
| New Hampshire | 30 Days |
| New Jersey | 30 Days |
| New Mexico | 30 Days |
| New York | No Statute |
| North Carolina | No Statute |
| North Dakota | 30 Days |
| Ohio | No Statute |
| Oklahoma | No Statute |
| Oregon | 30 Days |
| Pennsylvania | No Statute |
| Rhode Island | 30 Days |
| South Carolina | No Statute |
| South Dakota | 30 Days |
| Tennessee | No Statute |
| Texas | No Statute |
| Utah | No Statute |
| Vermont | 60 Days |
| Virginia | No Statute |
| Washington | 30 Days |
| West Virginia | No Statute |
| Wisconsin | 28 Days |
| Wyoming | No Statute |
If your decision to raise the rent is final and justified, follow these four steps to do it correctly. Start with the lease, set a fair amount, check the rules where your property is located, and then write and send the notice.
Unless lease stabilization laws apply, as a landlord or property manager, you are allowed to periodically increase your rent. However, make sure to inform your tenant about such changes with a rent increase letter containing a written notice. Not sending such a letter can lead to unpleasant consequences for both the landlord and the tenant.
If a landlord does not send a rent increase letter or notifies the tenant about the future changes only verbally, the rent increase may not be qualified as legal. Therefore, a landlord risks being subjected to a lawsuit for a possible retaliation or discrimination against the tenant and having to pay a law firm to settle a dispute. In addition, the landlord loses an opportunity to sign a new lease agreement with a loyal tenant and get a higher rental income.
If tenants do not receive a rent increase letter, they can decide to file a lawsuit against the landlord. Consequently, they also risk paying expensive fees to a law firm to sue the landlord for a possible retaliation or discrimination act. Apart from legal actions, tenants can lose time to find a more suitable place to live in.
A simple paper trail helps both sides show what was sent and when. Keep these records:
A notice of rent increase provides a landlord with legal grounds for increasing their rental payment. Gather the lease, the tenants' names, and the new rent amount before you start, so the notice is complete on the first try. The main steps to prepare such notice are the following:
Step 1. Enter the contact information
At the top of your document, you should enter the date of the rent increase notice. Then you have to name the landlord, tenant(s), lease guarantor (if any), and indicate the property address, including the unit number. If you downloaded the PDF, you can fill it in with our online PDF editor.
Step 2. Indicate the new rent amount
Make sure to enter the previous and increased amounts of rent, specifying the reasons for the increase. You should also indicate under which rental agreement the notice is constituted as well as its effective date.
Step 3. Sign, print, and send the notice
After preparing the document, you should sign and print it. You can deliver the notice to your tenant in one of these ways:
Make sure to deliver a hard copy of the letter because it creates reliable records of the documentation. In some states, it is obligatory to send the notice specifically via certified or registered mail to ensure that the document is delivered to the tenant.
Rent increase is not a very pleasant event for tenants, so you should inform them as smoothly as possible. Clearly, the letter should be formal, but we advise you to write it in a friendly manner, especially if you have a positive relationship with your tenants. Feel free to use the letter sample below when writing your rent increase notice.
A good rent increase letter covers the same points every time:
Anna Baker
123 Main Street, Apt 4B
Anytown, ST 00000
RE: Rent Increase Notice
Date: January 5, 2027
Dear Ms. Baker,
I am writing to inform you that the rent for the unit located at 123 Main Street, Apt 4B, Anytown (property address) will be increased due to recent capital improvements to the home’s exterior (reasons for increasing rent).
I really appreciate you being my tenant and hope you will understand the decision.
Let me remind you that your current lease will be over on April 30, 2027 (date). The new monthly rent will raise from $750 to $825 (amount) after that date. Please note that the other terms of our agreement will not change (including the amount of security deposit).
Whether you want to continue the current month-to-month lease or would like to sign a new agreement, this new amount is required in either case. Please, let me know about your decision by responding to this letter within 30 days.
If you would like to discuss the new terms of the rental agreement, please call me at 555-0100 (phone number) or write to landlord@example.com.
Sincerely,
John Douglas
Property Owner
It depends on where the rental is located. In 11 of the 49 jurisdictions FormsPal's verified state data covers, the law sets a rent increase notice rule. In 9 of those 11 states, the rule counts the notice in days, from 30 to 90 days depending on the state. Check your lease as well. Use our deadline calculator to count the days of a notice period.
A tenant who does not want to pay the new rent may decide to move out instead. In 33 of the 49 jurisdictions FormsPal's verified state data covers, the law sets the notice a tenant gives to end a periodic tenancy. In 25 of those jurisdictions, the rule counts the notice in days, from 5 to 60 days depending on the state.
Give your tenant a printed copy. You can send it by regular mail, send it by certified mail with a mailing receipt, or hand it over in person. If you also send the notice by email, keep a printed copy as a backup.
A clear notice names the people involved and shows exactly what changes. Include these details:
Yes. Create a free rent increase notice online with FormsPal, or download the PDF template and fill in the details of your tenancy.
General information, not legal or tax advice.
