Rent increase letter that is clear, fair and on time
Raising rent is part of being a landlord, but a vague or sudden notice can lose a good tenant. This prompt has your todo.is agent write a polite rent increase letter with the current and new rent, the date it starts, the notice given, a short reason, and how to ask questions, plus a list of local rules to check first.
The prompt
- Write a rent increase letter to my tenant [TENANT NAME] at [PROPERTY ADDRESS]. Current rent: [CURRENT RENT]. New rent: [NEW RENT]. New rent starts on [EFFECTIVE DATE]. I am sending the notice on [DATE YOU SEND IT]. Brief reason: [REASON, E.G. HIGHER TAXES OR INSURANCE]. Lease type: [FIXED-TERM OR MONTH-TO-MONTH]. Show the increase in dollars and as a percentage. Keep it friendly, factual and under 250 words, thank them for being a good tenant, and give my contact for questions. Add a separate checklist of local rules to check (notice period, caps, rent control, form required). Give me a Word file and a PDF.
What to change
- [TENANT NAME]: The tenant's full name(s).
- [PROPERTY ADDRESS]: The rental's full address.
- [CURRENT RENT]: E.g. "$1,400 per month".
- [NEW RENT]: E.g. "$1,470 per month".
- [EFFECTIVE DATE]: The date the new rent applies, often the first day of a rental month.
- [DATE YOU SEND IT]: The day the tenant will receive the notice.
- [REASON, E.G. HIGHER TAXES OR INSURANCE]: One honest line. A reason is optional in many places, but it helps.
- [FIXED-TERM OR MONTH-TO-MONTH]: Choose one. Fixed-term leases usually can't be raised until renewal.
Example result
- Rent increase letter
- Laura Kim
- Kim Properties, 12 Oak Street, Portland, OR
- laura@kimproperties.example | (503) 555 0110
- 1 November 2026
- Dear Sam and Jess Rivera,
- Re: Rent increase for 220 Birch Avenue, Unit 4
- Thank you for being such reliable tenants over the past two years. I am writing to let you know about a change to your rent.
- • Current rent: $1,400 per month
- • New rent: $1,470 per month
- • Increase: $70 per month (5%)
- • Starts: 1 January 2027
- This gives you 60 days notice. The increase is due to higher property taxes and insurance costs this year, which went up for the whole building.
- All other terms of your lease stay the same. Your payment method and due date do not change.
- If you have any questions, or would like to talk about a longer lease, please call or email me. I value having you as tenants and hope you will stay for a long time.
- Kind regards,
- Laura Kim
- Check before sending
- • Notice period: many areas require 30, 60 or 90 days, sometimes more for larger increases
- • Caps and rent control: some cities and states limit how much and how often rent can rise
- • Lease terms: fixed-term leases usually can't be changed until they end
- • Required forms: some places require a specific notice form or delivery method
- Good practice
- • Keep increases predictable, once a year at renewal
- • Offer a short call if the tenant has concerns
How to do it with todo.is
- Copy the prompt and fill in the rent, dates and lease type.
- Paste it into todo.is, or send it to your agent on WhatsApp or Telegram.
- Your agent calculates the increase and writes the letter, plus a local rules checklist.
- Check the rules where your property is, then send it the way your lease or law requires.
Tips for a better result
- Ask your agent to search the rent rules for your city and state, with links to official sources, before you send anything.
- Compare with similar rentals nearby. A modest increase is often cheaper than a month of vacancy and cleaning.
- Give more notice than the minimum when you can. Tenants who have time to plan are more likely to stay.
- Set a yearly to-do: "every October, remind me to review rents and draft renewal letters".
rent increase letter: FAQ
- How much notice is required for a rent increase? It depends on where the property is. 30 to 90 days is common, and some places require more for large increases. Check your local rules.
- Can a landlord raise rent during a fixed-term lease? Usually not, unless the lease allows it. Increases normally take effect at renewal or on a month-to-month tenancy.
- How much can a landlord raise the rent? In many places there is no limit, but some cities and states have rent caps or rent control. Your agent can find the rules for your area with sources.
- Do I need to give a reason for a rent increase? Often not, but a short, honest reason makes the letter easier to accept.
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