Basic Rent Charges
Landlords are allowed to charge a monthly rent amount that is agreed upon with the tenant and specified in the lease agreement. This rent covers the basic use of the property. When first renting a place, the landlord and tenant can generally agree on any rent amount, as long as both parties accept it.
Rent Increases
In most cases, landlords must wait at least a year before raising the rent, and must provide 90 days written notice of any increase. Many jurisdictions also limit how much the rent can be increased each year.
What Can Be Included in Rent
Rent may include utilities like electricity, water, heating, parking, etc. The lease should clearly specify what is included in the rent payment. Landlords cannot hide extra fees by calling them “rent.”
Security Deposits
Landlords can charge a security deposit, but there are usually legal limits on the maximum amount. For example, it may be capped at 1-2 months’ rent.
Prohibited Fees
Most jurisdictions now prohibit landlords from charging certain fees, such as:
- Application fees
- Credit check fees
- Administrative fees
- Cleaning fees (beyond normal wear and tear)
- Pet fees (beyond a refundable deposit)
Late Fees
Landlords can typically charge late fees for overdue rent, but there are often restrictions on when these can be applied (e.g. only after rent is 14+ days late) and caps on the maximum amount.
Utilities and Services
If utilities are not included in rent, tenants are usually responsible for setting up and paying for their own utility accounts.The key takeaway is that while landlords can charge rent, there are many regulations around what and how much they can charge. Tenants should carefully review their lease agreement and be aware of their local tenancy laws to understand their rights and responsibilities regarding rent payments.