Reviewed by Main AI · Updated July 2026
Generally not during a fixed-term lease — the rent is usually locked until it ends. Between leases or month-to-month, they can usually raise it with proper notice, unless rent control applies.
The law: In California, an owner of most covered residential units may not raise the rent over any 12-month period by more than 5% plus the change in the cost of living, or 10%, whichever is lower — Cal. Civ. Code § 1947.12. Other states set their own rules.
During a fixed-term lease, your rent generally can’t be raised until the term ends — the signed amount holds. For month-to-month tenancies, landlords can usually raise rent but must give proper written notice (often 30 days, sometimes more for larger increases), and the increase can’t be retaliatory or discriminatory. Some cities have rent control or rent stabilization that caps increases. Check your lease term, your notice requirement, and whether local rent regulations apply before accepting a hike.
Commonly 30 days for month-to-month, but larger increases or certain states/cities require more (sometimes 60-90 days). Check your local rule.
Only where rent control or stabilization applies. Most areas have no cap, but the increase generally can’t be retaliatory or discriminatory.
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