Rent Increase Letter: Free Template, 3 Samples and Notice Rules by State
A rent increase letter (also called a rent increase notice or notice of rent increase) is a written notice that tells your tenant the new rent, the date it starts and how much notice you are giving. Send it before the lease renews, or for a month to month tenant, at least 30 days ahead in most states. Some states require 60 or 90 days, and a few cap how much the rent can go up. Below you’ll find a free rent increase letter template, 3 sample letters and the notice rules for California, New York, Texas, Florida, Washington and Oregon.
Free fillable rent increase letter template. Fill in the blanks, sign it and keep a copy. It has a delivery record at the bottom so you can prove when you sent it.
What should a rent increase letter include?
A clear letter answers every question your tenant could ask, so there is nothing to argue about later. Include:
- The date of the letter
- The tenant names and the rental address, including the unit number
- The current rent and the new rent, in dollars
- The date the new rent starts
- Whether the lease renews, or the month to month agreement simply continues
- Anything else that changes, such as pet rent, parking or utilities, or a line saying all other terms stay the same
- How to reach you with questions, and by when you need an answer for a renewal
- Your signature, plus how and when you delivered it
You do not have to give a reason in most places, but a short, honest one (higher property taxes, insurance or repairs) keeps good tenants on your side.
Rent increase letter template
Copy this text, or download the fillable PDF or the Word file and type straight into it, or print it. If you copy the text, replace everything in brackets.
RENT INCREASE NOTICE Date: [date] To: [tenant names] Property: [address, unit] This letter is written notice that the monthly rent for the property above will change. Current monthly rent: $[amount] New monthly rent: $[amount] New rent starts on: [date] All other terms of your [lease / rental agreement] stay the same. [Optional: The increase covers higher property taxes and insurance.] If you have questions, please contact me by [date] at [phone or email]. Sincerely, [landlord name] [phone] [email] Delivered by [hand / first class mail / certified mail] on [date]
3 sample rent increase letters
Each example uses made up names and addresses. Change the details to match your lease and your state.
Sample 1: Month to month tenant, small increase
RENT INCREASE NOTICE Date: 11/15/2026 To: Maria Lopez Property: 418 Oak St, Unit 2, Tampa, FL 33604 This letter is written notice that your monthly rent will change. Current monthly rent: $1,350.00 New monthly rent: $1,400.00 New rent starts on: 01/01/2027 All other terms of your month to month rental agreement stay the same. The increase covers higher property insurance for the building this year. Thank you for being a great tenant. If you have questions, please call me at (555) 010 2244. Sincerely, James Carter Delivered by hand on 11/15/2026
Why it works: the tenant gets about 47 days of notice, more than the 30 days Florida requires to end a month to month tenancy, and the $50 increase (3.7%) is easy to understand.
Sample 2: Lease renewal with a 5% increase (New York)
LEASE RENEWAL AND RENT INCREASE NOTICE Date: 01/15/2027 To: David and Anna Kim Property: 27 Maple Ave, Apt 1, Albany, NY 12203 Your lease ends on 03/31/2027. I would like to renew it for another 12 months, starting 04/01/2027, with these changes: Current monthly rent: $2,000.00 New monthly rent: $2,100.00 (a 5% increase) New rent starts on: 04/01/2027 All other lease terms stay the same. Please let me know by 02/15/2027 if you would like to renew, and I will send the new lease to sign. If you plan to move out, please tell me in writing by the same date. Sincerely, Rachel Moore (555) 010 7781 rachel.moore@example.com Sent by certified mail on 01/15/2027
Why it works: the Kims have lived there about 18 months on 1 year leases, and the increase is 5% or more, so New York requires at least 60 days of written notice. This letter gives 76. The notice period depends on how long the tenant has lived there (Real Property Law 226-c).
Sample 3: California month to month, under 10%
NOTICE OF CHANGE IN TERMS OF TENANCY (RENT INCREASE) Date: 11/02/2026 To: Luis Ortega Property: 1520 Pine St, Unit B, Sacramento, CA 95814 Under California Civil Code 827, your monthly rent will change. Current monthly rent: $2,400.00 New monthly rent: $2,520.00 (a 5% increase) New rent starts on: 01/01/2027 All other terms of your rental agreement stay the same. Sincerely, Nina Patel (555) 010 4410 Delivered by hand on 11/02/2026
Why it works: an increase of 10% or less in 12 months needs at least 30 days of notice in California, and this letter gives 60. Before you send a California letter, check whether the unit falls under the statewide rent cap (Civil Code 1947.12) or a stricter city rent control law.
How much notice for a rent increase?
These are the detailed rules in six states where many small landlords rent out homes. For every state, see the 50-state table below. Cities can have stricter rules, so always check your city too.
| State | Notice before the new rent starts | Rent cap | Law |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | Month to month: 30 days if the increase is 10% or less in 12 months, 90 days if it is more | Most units: 5% plus local inflation, never more than 10% a year. Exempt: units built in the last 15 years, and single family homes or condos owned by individuals who gave the tenant the required written notice. Many cities have stricter rent control | Civ. Code 827, 1947.12 |
| New York | Increases of 5% or more: 30 days (tenant there under 1 year), 60 days (1 to 2 years), 90 days (2 years or more, or a 2 year lease) | No statewide cap for most 1 to 4 unit rentals. Rent stabilized units have their own rules | Real Prop. Law 226-c |
| Texas | No statute sets a rent increase notice. Follow your lease. For month to month, give at least 1 month, the notice Texas requires to end the tenancy | None. Texas cities cannot pass rent control | Prop. Code 91.001, Local Gov. Code 214.902 |
| Florida | No statute sets a rent increase notice. Follow your lease. For month to month, give at least 30 days before the end of a monthly period, the notice Florida requires to end the tenancy | None. State law blocks local rent control | Fla. Stat. 83.57, 83.425 |
| Washington | At least 90 days, in writing. No increase in the first 12 months of a tenancy | 7% plus inflation or 10%, whichever is less. The 2026 maximum is 9.683%; 2027 is 10% | WA Attorney General |
| Oregon | At least 90 days, in writing. No increase in the first year of a tenancy | 9.5% for 2026, 10% for 2027. Units whose first certificate of occupancy is less than 15 years old are exempt from the cap | ORS 90.323, Oregon DAS |
Missed the notice period? In New York, the tenant keeps the old rent and terms until the full notice period runs from the day you gave written notice. In most states, the safest fix is to send a new letter with a later start date.
For every rule in one place, see our California, Texas, Florida and New York landlord guides.
Rent increase notice in all 50 states and DC
This table covers statewide rules for month to month rentals. In a fixed-term lease, you generally cannot raise the rent until the lease ends, unless the lease itself allows it. Many states have no law just for rent increases. There, you change the rent by giving the notice the state requires to end a month to month tenancy, with the new rent in it. Giving more notice than the minimum is always fine. And in most states, raising the rent to punish a tenant for a complaint is illegal retaliation.
Last checked: November 2026, against the law linked in each row. Cities and counties can add rules (for example New York City, Chicago, Montgomery County MD and many New Jersey towns).
| State | Notice before the new rent starts | Statewide rent cap | Law |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No rent increase notice law. To end month to month: 30 days written before a rent date. | None | Ala. Code 35-9A-441(b) |
| Alaska | No rent increase notice law. To end month to month: 30 days written before a rent due date. | None | AS 34.03.290(b) |
| Arizona | No rent increase notice law. To end month to month: 30 days written before a rent date. | None. Cities cannot pass rent control | A.R.S. 33-1375(B), 33-1329 |
| Arkansas | No rent increase notice law. To end month to month: 30 days written. | None | Ark. Code 18-17-704(b) |
| California | 30 days if the increase is 10% or less in 12 months; 90 days if more | Most units: 5% plus local inflation, max 10% (exemptions apply) | Civ. Code 827, 1947.12 |
| Colorado | 60 days written (no written lease). Only 1 increase in 12 months | None | C.R.S. 38-12-701, 38-12-702 |
| Connecticut | 45 days written (leases made or renewed since Oct 1, 2024) | None (town fair rent commissions can review) | C.G.S. 47a-4e |
| Delaware | 60 days written before the lease ends | None | 25 Del. C. 5107 |
| District of Columbia | New rent starts only after more than 60 days’ notice | Rent stabilization: 4.1% (2.1% elderly or disabled) May 2026 to April 2027. Some small owners exempt | D.C. Code 42-3509.04 |
| Florida | No rent increase notice law. To end month to month: 30 days written before the end of a monthly period. | None. Cities cannot pass rent control | Fla. Stat. 83.57(3), 83.425 |
| Georgia | No rent increase notice law. To end a month to month (tenancy at will), the landlord gives 60 days. | None. Cities cannot pass rent control | O.C.G.A. 44-7-7, 44-7-19 |
| Hawaii | 45 days written (month to month); 15 days for shorter periods | None | HRS 521-21(d), (e) |
| Idaho | 30 days written | None. Cities cannot pass rent control | Idaho Code 55-304(2), 55-306 |
| Illinois | No rent increase notice law. To end month to month: 30 days written. | None statewide. Cities cannot pass rent control | 735 ILCS 5/9-207(b); 50 ILCS 825 |
| Indiana | No rent increase notice law. To end month to month: 1 month (one rental period). | None. Rent rules are for the state only | IC 32-31-1-4, 32-31-1-20 |
| Iowa | 30 days written, and not before the lease term ends | None | Iowa Code 562A.13(5) |
| Kansas | No rent increase notice law. To end month to month: 30 days written, ending on a rent date. | None | K.S.A. 58-2570(b) |
| Kentucky | No rent increase notice law. To end month to month: 30 days before a rent date where the state landlord tenant act was adopted locally; 1 month written elsewhere. | None | KRS 383.695(2), 383.195 |
| Louisiana | No rent increase notice law. To end month to month: 10 days before the end of the month. | None | La. Civ. Code art. 2728 |
| Maine | 45 days written; 75 days if the increase is 10% or more in 12 months. Also covers mandatory recurring fees | None | 14 M.R.S. 6015 |
| Maryland | 60 days (month to month); 90 days (terms over 1 month). Sent by first class mail with a certificate of mailing, or by email if the tenant agreed | None statewide (Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties have local limits) | Real Prop. 8-209 |
| Massachusetts | No rent increase notice law. To end month to month (tenancy at will): the rent period or 30 days, whichever is longer. | None. Cities cannot pass rent control | G.L. c.186 §12 |
| Michigan | No rent increase notice law. To end month to month: 1 month (one rent period). | None. Cities cannot pass rent control | MCL 554.134(1), 123.411 |
| Minnesota | No fixed number. To end month to month: 1 month written. If the lease gives the tenant a longer notice period, your increase notice must be at least that long | None statewide (St. Paul and Minneapolis have local rules) | Minn. Stat. 504B.135, 504B.147 |
| Mississippi | No rent increase notice law. To end month to month: 30 days written. | None | Miss. Code 89-8-19(3) |
| Missouri | No rent increase notice law. To end month to month: 1 month written. | None | RSMo 441.060(3) |
| Montana | No rent increase notice law. To end month to month: 30 days written (any day, rent split by the day). | None | MCA 70-24-441 |
| Nebraska | No rent increase notice law. To end month to month: 30 days written before a rent date. | None | Neb. Rev. Stat. 76-1437(2) |
| Nevada | 60 days written; 30 days for rent periods shorter than a month | None | NRS 118A.300 |
| New Hampshire | 30 days written notice of the new amount and start date (needed before a tenant’s refusal can be a reason to evict) | None | RSA 540:2 |
| New Jersey | A notice of the increase plus a valid notice to quit (state guidance: 30 days, served on a rent due date). The increase must not be unconscionable | None statewide. Many cities have rent control | N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1(f) |
| New Mexico | 30 days written before a rent date | None | NMSA 47-8-15(F) |
| New York | Increases of 5% or more: 30, 60 or 90 days, based on how long the tenant has lived there | No statewide cap (Good Cause law in NYC and towns that opt in) | Real Prop. Law 226-c |
| North Carolina | No rent increase notice law. To end month to month: 7 days. | None. Cities cannot pass rent control | G.S. 42-14, 42-14.1 |
| North Dakota | 30 days written before the end of the month (change of terms) | None. Cities cannot pass rent control | N.D.C.C. 47-16-07 |
| Ohio | No rent increase notice law. To end month to month: 30 days before a rent date. | None. Cities cannot pass rent control | R.C. 5321.17(B), 5321.19 |
| Oklahoma | No rent increase notice law. To end month to month: 30 days written. | None | 41 O.S. 111 |
| Oregon | 90 days written. No increase in the first year. Only 1 increase in 12 months | 2026: 9.5%. 2027: 10%. Units under 15 years old exempt | ORS 90.323 |
| Pennsylvania | No rent increase notice law. To end month to month: 15 days notice to quit. | None statewide | 68 P.S. 250.501 |
| Rhode Island | 60 days written; 120 days for month to month tenants over 62 | None | R.I. Gen. Laws 34-18-16.1 |
| South Carolina | No rent increase notice law. To end month to month: 30 days written. | None | S.C. Code 27-40-770(b) |
| South Dakota | 30 days written before the end of the month (change of terms). The tenant may then end the lease | None | SDCL 43-32-13 |
| Tennessee | No rent increase notice law. To end month to month: 30 days before a rent date (counties under the state landlord tenant act). | None. Cities cannot pass rent control | T.C.A. 66-28-512, 66-35-102 |
| Texas | No rent increase notice law. Follow the lease. Month to month: 1 month, unless a signed lease says otherwise. | None (only in a governor-approved disaster emergency) | Prop. Code 91.001; Loc. Gov’t Code 214.902 |
| Utah | No rent increase notice law. To end month to month: 15 days before the end of the month. | None | Utah Code 78B-6-802 |
| Vermont | 60 days actual notice; starts on the first day of a rent period | None | 9 V.S.A. 4455(b) |
| Virginia | Month to month: the new rent cannot start before the next rent date at least 30 days after notice. Landlords with more than 4 units: 60 days before a renewing lease ends (90 days from 07/01/2027, 55.1-1204(K)) | None | Va. Code 55.1-1253(D) |
| Washington | 90 days written. No increase in the first 12 months | 2026: 9.683%. 2027: 10%. Some owner-occupied 1 to 4 unit homes exempt | RCW 59.18.140 |
| West Virginia | No rent increase notice law. To end month to month: one full rent period, written. | None | W. Va. Code 37-6-5 |
| Wisconsin | No rent increase notice law. To end month to month: 28 days written, at the end of a rent period. | None | Wis. Stat. 704.19 |
| Wyoming | No state law found on rent increase notice or ending month to month. Check your lease; 30 days written is common | None | None found |
Can you raise the rent during a lease?
Usually not. A fixed term lease locks in the rent until it ends, unless the lease itself says the rent can change and how. Plan the increase for the renewal date and send the letter early enough to meet your state’s notice rule. For month to month tenants, you can raise the rent at any time, as long as you give the required notice.
Two more limits apply almost everywhere: an increase cannot be a punishment because a tenant asked for repairs or complained to an agency, and it cannot treat tenants differently because of race, religion, disability, family status or another protected class.
How to deliver the letter
- Hand delivery is the simplest. Write the date on your copy.
- Mail works too. Certified mail with a return receipt gives you proof of the date. In California, a notice sent by mail generally needs 5 extra days.
- Email or a tenant portal only if your lease allows notices that way. When in doubt, send a paper copy as well.
- Keep a copy of every letter with the delivery date. The template has a delivery record at the bottom for this.
Record the new rent in your ledger
Once the letter goes out, update your records the same day so the new rent shows up on the right month:
- Write the new rent amount on the start month in the tenant’s ledger, and keep the old amount for the months before it.
- Add a note with the letter date and how you delivered it.
- Save a copy of the letter with the lease.
Our free rent ledger template handles a rent change in the middle of the year, and the tenant ledger guide shows a filled in example.
Ending a month to month tenancy instead? See our 30 day notice to vacate with notice periods for all 50 states.
Offering a new lease term along with the new rent? Use our free lease renewal letter to set out the new dates, rent and deposit, with a reply section for the tenant.
Watch: how to raise the rent the right way
Simple Rent LedgerFree landlord tutorials on YouTubeFrequently asked questions
How much notice do I need to give for a rent increase?
It depends on your state and the type of tenancy. Many states expect at least 30 days for a month to month tenant. California requires 90 days for increases over 10%, New York requires up to 90 days based on how long the tenant has lived there, and Washington and Oregon require 90 days.
Can I raise the rent in the middle of a lease?
Usually not. A fixed term lease keeps the same rent until it ends, unless the lease says the rent can change. Raise the rent at renewal and send the letter early.
How much can I raise the rent?
In most states there is no limit for small landlords. California, Oregon and Washington have statewide caps, and some cities have rent control. Check your state and city before you send the letter.
Do I need a reason to raise the rent?
In most places, no. But the increase cannot be retaliation for a repair request or complaint, and it cannot be discrimination. A short, honest reason often helps keep a good tenant.
Can I send a rent increase letter by email?
Only if your lease allows notices by email. Hand delivery or certified mail gives you the clearest proof of the date.
Sources
- California Civil Code 827
- California Civil Code 1947.12 (Tenant Protection Act)
- New York Real Property Law 226-c
- Texas Property Code 91.001
- Texas Local Government Code 214.902
- Florida Statutes 83.57
- Washington State Attorney General: landlord and tenant
- Oregon Revised Statutes 90.323
- Oregon DAS: rent stabilization
