Rent Increase Letter at Lease Renewal — Free Template
A rent increase letter at lease renewal tells a tenant what the rent will be if they renew for another term. Because a fixed-term lease usually locks the rent until it ends, renewal is the natural time to adjust it. Send the letter early, give the tenant time to decide, and check your state and city rules on rent limits and notice before you do.
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Free to preview[Landlord or property manager name]
[Your address and phone or email]
October 15, 2026
To: [Tenant name(s)]
[Rental property address]
Re: Notice of rent increase — [Rental property address]
Dear [Tenant name(s)],
This letter is written notice that the monthly rent for [Rental property address] will change as described below.
Type of tenancy: Fixed-term lease that is up for renewal.
Current monthly rent: [Current monthly rent ($)]
New monthly rent: [New monthly rent ($)]
Increase: [New monthly rent ($)] per month
Effective date: [Date the new rent takes effect]
The new rent will be due beginning [Date the new rent takes effect]. This notice is being given at least [How many days' notice you're giving] days before the new rent takes effect.
All other terms of your rental agreement remain the same unless we agree otherwise in writing.
If you have any questions about this notice, please contact me at the address or phone number above. Thank you for being a tenant at [Rental property address].
Sincerely,
[Landlord or property manager name]
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Send it well before the lease ends
Check your lease's renewal clause. Many leases require notice of changed terms 30 to 60 days or more before the end date, and some renew automatically on the same terms if no one gives notice. Some states and cities set their own notice periods for increases. Sending the letter two to three months ahead gives the tenant time to decide and gives you time to find a new tenant if they don't renew.
Rent-control and rent-stabilization rules, where they exist, apply at renewal too.
Make the renewal offer clear
State the current rent, the new rent, when it starts and the length of the new term. Give a date to respond, and explain what happens if the tenant doesn't, such as moving to month-to-month at a different rent, if your lease and local rules allow it. Mention any other changes to the lease terms.
If you want to keep a good tenant, consider offering a lower increase for a longer term.
Close the loop in writing
If the tenant agrees, have them sign a renewal or a new lease with the new rent. If they decline, confirm their move-out date in writing and arrange the inspection and deposit. If they don't respond, follow up before the response date rather than assuming.
What to do, step by step
Check whether the increase is allowed
Read the lease: a fixed-term lease usually locks the rent until it ends unless it says otherwise. Then check state and city rules, including any rent-control or rent-stabilization limits on how much and how often rent can rise.
Find the notice period
Many states require at least 30 days' notice for month-to-month tenancies, and some require more for larger increases or longer tenancies. Use the longest period that applies.
Fill in the notice
Answer the questions above with the current rent, new rent and effective date. The letter shows the monthly increase automatically.
Deliver it properly
Serve the notice the way your state and lease require, such as hand delivery or mail, and allow extra days if you mail it.
Keep a record
Keep a copy and note the date and method of delivery, and update your rent records and any payment systems before the effective date.
What if the tenant doesn't accept the rent increase?
For a month-to-month tenancy, a properly given rent increase notice usually takes effect on its date whether or not the tenant signs or replies. The tenant's choice is generally to pay the new rent or give their own notice to move out before it takes effect.
If the tenant keeps paying the old amount after the effective date, talk to them and follow up in writing. Treat any shortfall carefully: the rules on serving a notice for unpaid rent, and on accepting partial payments, vary by state. If the increase wasn't properly noticed or exceeds a local limit, the tenant may not owe it.
Rent increases that are retaliatory, such as one that follows a repair complaint, or discriminatory are illegal in most places. Many cities with rent control also have a rent board that hears tenant complaints, so keep records of how you calculated the increase.
Example rent increase letter at lease renewal
A filled-in sample with made-up details, so you can see the finished result.
Northfield Property Group
PO Box 518, Columbus, OH 43216 · (555) 274-9031
October 5, 2026
To: Marisol Vega and Daniel Vega
312 Birch St, Unit 4, Columbus, OH 43206
Re: Notice of rent increase — 312 Birch St, Unit 4, Columbus, OH 43206
Dear Marisol Vega and Daniel Vega,
This letter is written notice that the monthly rent for 312 Birch St, Unit 4, Columbus, OH 43206 will change as described below.
Type of tenancy: Fixed-term lease that is up for renewal.
Current monthly rent: $1,350.00
New monthly rent: $1,425.00
Increase: $75.00 per month
Effective date: January 1, 2027
The new rent will be due beginning January 1, 2027. This notice is being given at least 60 days before the new rent takes effect.
Your current lease ends on December 31, 2026. We would be glad to renew it for another 12 months at the new rent shown above. Please let us know by November 15, 2026 whether you would like to renew, and we will send the renewal lease for signature.
All other terms of your rental agreement remain the same unless we agree otherwise in writing.
If you have any questions about this notice, please contact me at the address or phone number above. Thank you for being a tenant at 312 Birch St, Unit 4, Columbus, OH 43206.
Sincerely,
Northfield Property Group
Frequently asked questions
Can I raise the rent at renewal by any amount?
In areas without rent control, generally yes, as long as the increase isn't retaliatory or discriminatory and you give proper notice. Rent-controlled areas cap renewal increases, so check your local rules.
What if the tenant doesn't respond to the renewal letter?
It depends on your lease and local rules. The tenancy may end at the term's end, convert to month-to-month, or renew automatically. Follow up in writing before the deadline to avoid confusion.
Is this letter the same as a renewal lease?
No. This letter tells the tenant the new rent and invites them to renew. The new rent normally becomes binding for the new term through a signed renewal or new lease.
How much notice do I need to give for a rent increase?
It depends on the state, sometimes the city, the type of tenancy and the lease. Thirty days is common for month-to-month tenancies, but some places require 60 or 90 days, especially for larger increases. Check your local rules before choosing a date.
How much can I raise the rent?
In many places there is no cap on increases for market-rate units, but some states and many cities have rent-control or rent-stabilization rules that cap increases or limit how often rent can rise. Subsidized housing has its own rules. Check what applies to your property.
FairLetter is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Letters are templates you customize and send yourself.