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Rent Increase Calculator

Calculates if a proposed rent increase is legal in your state and city, and determines the required notice period.

Your details

Select the state where the rental property is located. This determines the applicable rent control laws and notice periods.

Select your city if it has stricter local rent control ordinances. If your city is not listed or does not apply, select 'None'.

Enter the current monthly rent amount, in USD.

Specify whether you are entering a dollar amount or a percentage for the proposed increase.

Enter the proposed rent increase. If you selected 'Percentage', enter a number like '5' for 5%. If you selected 'Dollar Amount', enter the dollar increase.

Enter the date the last rent increase took effect. This is used to check minimum intervals between increases in some jurisdictions.

For states like Washington and Oregon, the maximum allowable increase is tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Enter the official annual CPI percentage for your region. You can find this data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The default is a reasonable estimate.

Result

Earliest Legal Effective Date 25 November 2026

The earliest date the rent increase can legally take effect, based on today's date and the required notice period.

How it is calculated

Proposed Dollar Increase The dollar amount of the proposed rent increase.
US$120.00
Proposed New Monthly Rent The new monthly rent if the proposed increase is applied.
US$2,120.00
Proposed Percentage Increase The percentage increase of the proposed rent.
6 %
Applicable Local Rent Cap (%) The maximum percentage increase allowed by local ordinance, if any. A value of -1 means the local cap is based on CPI.
4 %
State-Based Maximum Increase (%) The maximum percentage increase allowed by state law. For California: min(10%, 5% + CPI). Oregon: min(10%, 7% + CPI). Washington: min(7%, CPI + 1%). New York: NYC uses RGB; rest of state uses min(10%, 5% + CPI) under Good Cause Eviction.
8.5 %
Effective Legal Cap (%) The legal cap that applies to your property. For San Francisco (-1), it's 60% of CPI. If no specific cap is found, a very high number is used to indicate no legal limit.
4 %
Maximum Legal Dollar Increase The maximum dollar increase allowed by law.
US$80.00
Is the Proposed Increase Legal? True if the proposed dollar increase is less than or equal to the legal maximum.
No
Months Since Last Increase Number of full months since the last rent increase. Used to check minimum interval rules.
16
Required Interval Between Increases (Months) The minimum number of months required between rent increases in your state. 0 means no specific interval rule.
12
Minimum Interval Rule Met? True if enough time has passed since the last increase.
Yes
Required Notice Period (Days) The number of days advance notice required by state law before a rent increase can take effect. In California, 90 days if increase > 10%, otherwise 30 days.
30 days
Overall Legal Compliance True if the proposed increase meets both the cap and the timing interval rules.
No
Keep in mind
  • This calculator provides estimates based on state and local rent control laws as of 2026. Laws change frequently; always verify with local housing authorities or legal counsel.
  • For San Francisco, the allowable increase is 60% of the annual CPI percentage published by the Rent Board. The calculator uses the user-provided CPI rate as a proxy; for precise calculation, obtain the official SF Rent Board CPI figure.
  • Some local ordinances have exemptions for new construction, single-family homes, or owner-occupied buildings. This calculator does not apply those exemptions automatically.
  • The 'Earliest Legal Effective Date' is calculated from the day you use the calculator. In practice, the notice period is counted from the date the tenant receives the written notice.
  • The CPI rate input is used for states with CPI-tied caps (CA, OR, WA, NY outside NYC) and for San Francisco. If you don't know the exact rate, the default 3.5% is a reasonable estimate for 2026.

Indicative result, calculated from the details and the rules listed below. It does not replace an official calculation or advice from a professional.

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Rent Increase Letter
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Rent Increase Calculator: Understanding Your Rights

Rent increases are a common part of renting, but they are regulated by a complex web of state and local laws. This calculator helps landlords and tenants in the United States determine if a proposed rent increase is legal and calculates the required notice period.

How Rent Control Works in the U.S.

Rent control, or rent stabilization, limits how much a landlord can raise the rent and how often. These laws exist at both the state and city level.

  • State Laws: States like California, Oregon, and Washington have enacted statewide caps. California's AB 1482 generally caps increases at 5% + local CPI, with an absolute maximum of 10%. Oregon's SB 608 sets a cap of 7% + CPI (max 10%). Washington's law caps increases at the lower of 7% or (CPI + 1%). New York's Good Cause Eviction law (outside NYC) caps increases at 5% + CPI or 10%, whichever is lower.
  • Local Ordinances: Cities often have stricter rules. New York City's Rent Guidelines Board sets annual percentages for rent-stabilized units. Los Angeles' Rent Stabilization Ordinance (RSO) sets a fixed annual percentage. San Francisco's increase is 60% of the CPI.

How the Calculation Works

The calculator follows a logical sequence:

  1. Determine the Proposed Increase: It converts a percentage increase into a dollar amount, or uses the entered dollar amount directly.
  2. Identify the Legal Cap: It first checks for a local city cap (e.g., Los Angeles: 4%). For San Francisco, it calculates 60% of the CPI. If no local cap applies, it uses the state cap formula for your jurisdiction. If no specific cap is found, it assumes no legal limit for the calculation.
  3. Check the Minimum Interval: Laws in California, Oregon, and New York typically require at least 12 months between increases. The calculator checks if enough time has passed since the last increase.
  4. Calculate the Notice Period: State laws mandate a minimum advance notice before an increase takes effect. This ranges from 30 days (most states) to 90 days (Oregon). In California, if the increase exceeds 10%, 90 days' notice is required. The earliest legal effective date is today's date plus this notice period.
  5. Provide a Compliance Verdict: The final result shows if the increase is under the legal cap AND meets the timing rule.

Example Walkthrough

Imagine a tenant in a Los Angeles, California apartment paying $2,000 monthly rent. The landlord wants to raise the rent by我们发现一个错误。请提供正确的信息。

  • Local (LA RSO) cap for 2026: 4%.
  • Maximum legal dollar increase: 4% of $2,000 = $80.
  • If the proposed increase is $120 (6%), it exceeds $80, so it is not legal under local law.
  • The required notice period in California for an increase under 10% is 30 days. If notice is given on October 20, 2026, the earliest it could take effect is November 19, 2026.

Common Scenarios and Exceptions

New Construction: Most rent control laws exempt buildings built within the last 15 years. Check your local ordinance for the specific cutoff date.

Single-Family Homes & Condos: Statewide laws in California (AB 1482) and Oregon (SB 608) generally cover these properties. However, some local city ordinances may not.

Substantial Rehabilitation or Capital Improvements: Landlords may sometimes petition for an additional increase beyond the cap to recover the cost of major improvements. This calculator does not handle these petition-based increases.

Next Steps: Preparing the Rent Increase Notice

If your increase is legal, the next step is to provide proper written notice to your tenant. A Rent Increase Letter is the standard document for this. It should clearly state:

  • The current rent and the new rent amount.
  • The dollar and percentage increase.
  • The effective date, which must be at least the minimum notice period in the future.
  • The property address and names of both parties.

Using a formal document helps ensure compliance, avoids disputes, and creates a clear record for both landlord and tenant.

Frequently asked questions

How much can a landlord raise rent in California?

Under California's AB 1482 (statewide rent cap), the maximum increase is 5% + the local Consumer Price Index (CPI) percentage, with an absolute maximum of 10%. Some cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco have stricter local caps.

What is the rent increase notice period in my state?

Notice periods vary: 30 days in California (90 days if the increase exceeds 10%), 60 days in Washington, and 90 days in Oregon. Always check your specific city's rules, as they may require longer notice.

Are there any properties exempt from rent control?

Yes. Common exemptions include new construction (e.g., buildings less than 15 years old in CA), single-family homes where the landlord is not a corporation (in some local laws), condominiums, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs). State laws often have fewer exemptions than local ones.

Can my rent be increased every 6 months?

In states with rent control like California, Oregon, and New York, increases are typically only allowed once every 12 months. In states without specific controls, the lease agreement dictates frequency, but state notice period laws still apply.

Where do I find the official CPI rate for my area?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) publishes CPI data for metropolitan areas. For San Francisco, the Rent Board publishes its own official CPI figure annually. Your local housing department website is the best source for the exact percentage to use.

What happens if my landlord raises rent illegally?

If you receive an illegal rent increase notice, you should first communicate with your landlord in writing, citing the applicable law. If unresolved, you may file a complaint with your local housing authority or seek legal advice. You may not be obligated to pay the illegal portion.

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