Rent Increase Laws for Landlords in Anne Arundel County

Rent increases are never fun. As a landlord, it is hard to determine if you should do a rental increase and what that amount should be. From a law perspective, however, there are certain rules and regulations you must always follow. So today with Innovative Properties, property management in Annapolis, Maryland, we will look over the different rent increase laws for landlords in Anne Arundel County.

How Often Can You Raise Rent?

Landlords can’t just raise your rent whenever they feel like it; they have to wait until whatever contract you’ve signed expires. That means that with a lease, you can’t raise rent until it is over.

For example, if you’ve signed a one-year contract, it’ll be a year before rent can go up, or two years if you’ve signed a two-year lease (which is why signing a lease for two years or longer is wise, to keep the rent down).

Meanwhile, if you’re renting month-to-month, the rent can’t increase until the end of any month. Simple rules. But actual rules.

How Much Notice is Needed for Rent Increases?

In most states, renters must be granted at least 30 days’ notice before a rent increase is enforced, although that can vary based on how much the rent will actually go up.

These rules are also typically true for a “tenant at will” (i.e., you do not have a lease) and, more a tenant in a rooming house, where you are likely to pay rent weekly.

Can a Landlord Raise Rent Retroactively?

The quick answer is no. In most cases, if a landlord has implemented a retroactive rent increase, he was negligent in letting the tenant know about the increase at the time. The renter can’t be held responsible for a rent increase he or she genuinely didn’t know about.

About Innovative Properties

Innovative Properties is a property management company in Anne Arundel County focused on helping residential, commercial, & HOA property clients. With over 30 years of experience in property management and leasing, we can help you rent, sell, or buy your next property in Anne Arundel County.