Ordinances on Rent Control

Posted under General by Michael

Ordinances have been passed in many cities to restrict the amount by which a landlord can increase the rent. In the face of contrary state law, the local laws are generally held valid. The idea of these legal provisions is to protect the tenants’ rights.

If the premises become vacant, the landlord in some cities can increase the rent and can charge the next tenant a higher rent, but the rent remains the same as long as the same tenant lives there, he cannot increase the rent in a haphazard manner.

Such provisions are made to help out low-income group tenants. Many cities have witnessed increasing property values over the years (notwithstanding the recent fall. Increasing the rent randomly by individual landlords would create trouble for the prospective tenants. This may also cause property owners to suffer and in the end, worsen housing problems.

Considering the gravity of the issue, Ordinances on Rent Control are important. Landlord cannot simply increase the rent of a low-income tenant and cannot refuse to renew a lease without a good cause.

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