Next Step

Your landlord can raise your rent if he experiences an increase in the cost of doing business. It could be that there were changes in the housing market that have directly affected your neighborhood. There are a lot of other valid and legal reasons for a landlord to raise your rent. But he cannot raise your rent just because of discrimination. If he does raise your rent without a lease agreement, he would need to inform you of the rent increase 30 days prior to the effective date. There will also be a new lease agreement that you will need to sign. From what you’ve written, it looks like your landlord already has everything in place.

If you do not want to accept the new rate, do not sign the lease agreement and move out. You also do not need to make any rent payment with the new rate, even if you didn’t sign the lease agreement. This is because paying the rent will already be equivalent to an agreement to it.

If you are unsure of the validity of the rent increase, you can ask other landlords in your neighborhood as to how much they are charging for rent. You also need to look and compare your apartment with theirs. Do your own research to determine if you should stay with the new rate or not. If you feel discriminated or that your landlord is trying to unjustly evict you, file a complaint with the RPA.