Rent Increase Calculator — is my rent increase legal?
Short answer: most states don't cap rent increases — but California, Oregon, Washington, and Washington, D.C. limit them statewide, New York limits them for covered units, and dozens of cities have their own rent control. Enter your rent below to see the rule for your state, the maximum legal increase in dollars, and the written notice your landlord owes you — with the statute behind each answer.
Last updated
Check Your Rent Increase
Enter your state and rent — add the proposed new rent to get a verdict
Which states cap rent increases?
Only a handful of jurisdictions limit how much rent can go up each year. Everywhere else, the protection is a notice period — not a cap.
California
5% + local CPI or 10%, whichever is lower
CA Civil Code § 1947.12 (AB 1482, expires 2030)
Oregon
7% + CPI or 10%, whichever is lower
ORS 90.323 (SB 608)
District of Columbia
CPI + 2% or 10%, whichever is less (elderly/disabled: CPI, SS COLA, or 5%, whichever is least)
DC Code § 42-3502.08
New YorkCovered units only
CPI + 5% or 10%, whichever is lower (Good Cause 'local rent standard'; 2026 NYC region: ~8.79%)
NY RPL Art. 6-A §§ 214, 216 (Good Cause Eviction local rent standard); notice: RPL § 226-c
Washington
7% + CPI or 10%, whichever is lower (2026 cap: 9.683%; manufactured/mobile-home lots capped at 5%)
RCW 59.18.700 (HB 1217, effective 2025); manufactured/mobile homes: RCW 59.18.710
New JerseyLocal only
No statewide cap; many municipalities have local rent control — including Newark, Jersey City, Hoboken, Trenton, 100+ municipalities
N.J.S.A. 2A:42-84.1
MinnesotaLocal only
No statewide cap; local option enabled — including St. Paul (3% annual cap)
MN Stat § 471.9996
ConnecticutLocal only
No statewide cap; unreasonable increases may be challenged
CT Gen Stat § 7-148b
MaineLocal only
No statewide cap — including Portland (rent control ordinance, ~CPI-based cap)
ME Rev Stat Title 14 § 6015
No cap doesn't mean no rules
Even without a cap, nearly every state requires advance written notice before a rent increase takes effect — commonly 30 to 90 days, and longer in some cities. An increase can also be unlawful if it's retaliatory or discriminatory. See rent-control & rent-increase limits by state, or check your full state tenant rights →
Got a rent increase notice? Do this next
Respond in writing
Free rent increase response letter template that cites your state's law.
Get the templateScan your lease
Honestkey™ checks every clause, fee, and deposit against the law at your address.
Scan freeKnow your state's rights
Deposits, late fees, entry, repairs, and eviction rules for all 50 states.
Pick your stateFrequently asked questions
Is there a legal limit on how much my landlord can raise my rent?
In most states, no — landlords can raise rent by any amount once the lease term ends, as long as they give proper written notice and the increase isn't retaliatory or discriminatory. Only California (AB 1482: 5% + local CPI or 10%, whichever is lower), Oregon (ORS 90.323: 7% + CPI or 10%), Washington (RCW 59.18.700: 7% + CPI or 10%), and Washington, D.C. cap increases statewide, and New York's Good Cause Eviction law sets a presumptive limit for covered units. Elsewhere, caps exist only at the city or county level — for example Newark, Jersey City, and Hoboken (NJ), St. Paul (MN), Portland (ME), and Takoma Park and Montgomery County (MD).
How much notice does a landlord have to give before raising rent?
Nearly every state requires advance written notice before a rent increase takes effect — most commonly 30 to 90 days. Some states scale the notice with the size of the increase (California, for example, requires 90 days when an increase exceeds 10%), and some cities require far more (Seattle requires 180 days). The calculator above shows the notice period our data lists for your state.
Can my landlord raise my rent in the middle of a lease?
Generally no. With a fixed-term lease, the rent is locked in for the term unless the lease itself contains a clause allowing mid-term increases. On a month-to-month tenancy, the landlord can raise rent going forward, but must first give the written notice your state requires. If a mid-lease increase shows up with no supporting lease clause, that's worth challenging in writing.
What should I do if my rent increase exceeds the legal cap?
Don't pay the difference silently. Respond in writing citing your state's statute — our free rent increase response letter template does this for you — and keep a copy of the increase notice and your lease. Check whether your unit is exempt before assuming the cap applies. If the landlord won't correct it, your state or local rent board, a tenant-rights organization, or legal aid can help, and overcharges in capped jurisdictions can often be recovered.
Does rent control apply to every rental in states that have it?
No. Statewide caps come with significant exemptions — for example, California exempts most single-family homes and buildings less than 15 years old, Washington exempts buildings less than 12 years old and the first 12 months of a tenancy, and Oregon exempts new construction and the first year of any tenancy. New York's Good Cause law exempts small landlords and buildings with a certificate of occupancy on or after January 1, 2009. Always check the exemption list before assuming your unit is covered.