How much can your landlord increase the rent per year? (Chicago: apartment, rental market)

[EastBoundandDownChick]

I am wondering how much my landlord can increase my rent per year. I signed a one year lease this September. When discussing terms my landlord let me know that if I would like to go month-to-month once the lease expires I am free to do so (granted it isn't in winter months). I found that rather suspect, as typically landlords do not like making such arrangements. Then I started to think about it- is it true that my landlord could charge any price increase she wants should I go month-to-month at the expiration of the lease? Or would it (and this is my hunch) make more sense to simply renew the lease? Does anyone know if there are laws pertaining to how much of a percentage increase they can charge? I'm trying to find information but it seems to be conflicting. Thanks!

[Vlajos]

I'm almost certain a landlord can increase the rent to whatever they want when the lease is up.

[FAReastcoast]

City of Chicago does not have rent control like many other cities, the landlord can raise the rent however much they want once the lease is up.

[soulful]

The above is correct. The landlord holds the cards in terms of how much to raise the rent.

The only possible protections would be in the event of discrimination against a protected class of people if they were being treated substantially differently from others in terms of the amount of a rent increase. There are some fair housing laws/presidential acts that might cover such discrimination. Doesn't sound like this is the case with your situation per your post.

[williepotatoes]

She's free to charge whatever she wants, period. Her not forcing you to sign a 2nd lease is not that uncommon. Sometimes landlords who own small apartment buildings or two/three flats will do this as a friendly gesture to reward and keep a good tenant. If you've had a good first year there, then this is probably the case.

[Donna L Teague]

How much can a landlord charge in addition to your rent when another moves in temporarily and you are under a lease. does the rent double?

[emathias]

Originally Posted by Donna L Teague

How much can a landlord charge in addition to your rent when another moves in temporarily and you are under a lease. does the rent double?

What are you asking? Do terms change if you get a roommate? Most leases specifically do not allow non-leaseholders to reside in the apartment - if I remember right, that's how the "Chicago standard lease" that most landlords use is written. If you have a friend visiting for a few days, even a couple weeks, it's probably fine. But if they're staying longer and getting mail and sharing rent with you, you may be in violation of the lease. To add someone to a lease usually isn't a big deal, usually a matter of paying a credit check fee (which should be under $50, and certainly no more than $100). if there's some sort of move-in-fee, the roommate may or may not have to pay that depending on the landlord. Most small-time landlords don't have move-in/move-out fees, that's usually a high-rise thing. Normally, the monthly lease rate will not change when adding a roommate.

Basically, start by reading your lease.

[rparz]

I'm not aware of any limits. It's all supply and demand. Chicago is a hot rental market now, there's probably people lined up to move into your place paying the new lease rate.

[conrad1]

I don't know about limits either... But from personal experience, I signed a 1 year lease on my place four years ago, and haven't signed anything since. He doens't ask for a new lease and I keep paying on time every month. So at least some landlords don't seem to care...

[rparz]

If it's a small time landlord, you take care of the place, pay rent on time and don't cause problems, you have a good shot at not having your rent raised.
Property management companies, not so much.