Help! Crazy Rent Increase

Maybe he WANTS you to move out and rather than refusing to renew, he wants you to make that move?

If your apartment isn't under Rent Stabilization, there's nothing you can do. I agree with 30yrs - sounds like the LL just wants you to move. Maybe try calling him?

There's no reason for it. We pay a high rent for the area, always pay on time, it's a large management co... doesn't make sense.

maybe he thinks that if he combines your unit with another then together those units will rent for a premium - but, if you're willing to pay a huge number then there's no need for him to do all of the construction.

Perhaps it's a clerical error - If he didn't want you there he would just chose to not renew.

Moving is a pain, but when you're done it's nice to have a new place, new neighborhood - etc - I've liked the fact that I've lived in many neighborhoods - now is a great time to be looking for a new rental.

30 is right - LL wants you gone - but jazz makes a good point -cld be a typo. make a call.

jeliz, yup get on the phone. Way too much of an increase. Good Luck.

I'm surprised you haven't called already. That definitely sounds like a mistake.

Do not get on the phone just yet! Do yourself a favor and google; "The door in the face sales technique"
which the landlord just might be pulling on you here. It's a stretch but perhaps your fellow neighbors were pleased to learn after talking to the landord that the increase is not $1,000 a month but "only $200". Whereas, if the rent increase was only $200 from the get-go they would have been displeased and moved.

I got a similar letter about a year ago - increasing rent from 2100 to 3000 with renewal of lease - reason was to bring rent up to "market value". I wrote a very polite letter back saying that we would negotiate an increase after the apartment was brought up to market standard and gave a long list of items such as replacing kitchen appliances, retiling bathroom, finishing floors etc. and that we would continue paying our current rent on a monthly basis until this was done. I never heard back and am happy living on a month to month right now (as we're thinking of buying). My guess is they were just hoping we'd agree and are too lazy to pursue further. It worked out for me as I dont care if I have to leave on a months notice but a monthly situation might not be good for you?