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Free rent increase letter template for landlords
Raise the rent clearly, on time and on the record, without losing a good tenant. The kit shows the current rent, the new rent and exactly what changes, gives your tenant renewal options to sign, and helps you price the increase before you send it.
The Word file opens in Microsoft Word, Google Docs and Pages. The printable PDF has blank lines to fill in by hand.
What's inside
- Notice of rent increase: for month-to-month tenants, or whenever your lease allows a change. Current rent, new rent, the change in dollars and percent, and the date it starts.
- Lease renewal offer: for a lease that's ending. Up to three options with their rents, a reply-by date and a response your tenant signs.
- Rent increase worksheet: for you, not your tenant. Compare local rents, add up what one vacant month would cost, and see how long the increase takes to pay that back.
- Delivery log: when and how each notice went out, and how many days of notice it gave.
How much notice do you need to raise the rent?
It depends on your state, your city and sometimes how long your tenant has lived there. A few current examples (September 2026):
- Chicago: 60 days' written notice if the tenant has lived there six months to three years, and 120 days after three years, under the city's Fair Notice Ordinance. It applies to year-long and month-to-month leases. There's no rent cap.
- Illinois: at least 30 days' written notice for month-to-month tenants. State law bars cities from capping rent.
- California: 30 days' notice, or 90 days for increases over 10%. Many units have an annual cap.
- Oregon and Washington: 90 days' notice (180 in Seattle), no increase in the first year, and an annual cap.
Rules change, so check the current rules where your property is. A fixed-term lease usually can't change until it ends unless the lease says otherwise. In Chicago? Read our plain-English guide to Chicago's rent increase rules.
Raise the rent without losing a good tenant
- Check the market first. Look at three or four similar homes nearby and note what they rent for.
- Price in a vacancy. One empty month plus cleaning, paint and listing time can cost more than a year of a small increase. The worksheet does the math.
- Send it early and in writing. More notice than the minimum gives your tenant time to plan and makes a renewal more likely.
- Show the numbers and keep it consistent. State the old rent, the new rent and the date. Use the same approach with every tenant, and never raise rent in response to a complaint or repair request.
More free tools: the rent ledger kit, the late rent notice kit and the security deposit return kit.
Want renewals handled on time, every time?
Landlord's Desk keeps every lease end date in view and handles renewals in the same place as rent, leases and e-signatures. You approve every change before it goes out. Founding members get up to 60 days free, then 30% off their first year.
These templates and examples are provided as-is and are not legal advice. Notice periods, rent caps and other rules change and vary by state and city. Check the rules where your property is, or talk to a local attorney.