Rent Increase

[knowthyself.livejournal.com]

On a standard lease, does anyone know how much notice the tenants are supposed to be given if they are renewing their lease if the landlord wants to increase the rent?

Short version: our lease is up at the end of this month. Last night was the first we'd heard of a possible increase in our rent after making it clear at least two weeks ago that we wanted to renew for another year. Our last month deposit has not been used. Can the landlord do this? Or are they required to have given us more notice than this?

Thanks very much for any help or advice in advance!

(an apartment in Somerville/Davis Square area)

EDIT: Thanks for everyone's help, we've come to an agreement with the landlord on the issue.

Comments

[chenoameg.livejournal.com]

According to http://www.lectlaw.com/files/lat07.htm

"Rent for a Tenant with a Lease can be increased only when the lease term expires. "

I don't know what 10% thing you're talking about; there are only caps in increases in very specific cases.

Don't forget that the landlord is required to pay you interest on the last month's rent & security deposits, and that's due on the anniversary date of your tenancy.

This is another good online resource about tenant's rights -- http://www.lawlib.state.ma.us/landlord.html

And the city of Somerville publishes a document all about renter's rights:
http://www.ci.somerville.ma.us/CoS_Content/documents/Tenant%20Helper%20-%206th%20Edition.pdf

Good luck!