Rent Increase Calculator — State Rent
Control Rules

How much a landlord can raise rent depends entirely on state law — there's no federal limit. California limits most rent increases to 5% plus local CPI, capped at 10% total under AB 1482. Oregon caps increases at 7% above CPI statewide. New York City apartments under rent stabilization are limited to 1–3% annually as set by the Rent Guidelines Board. Most other states have no cap — landlords can raise rent to market rate as long as proper notice is given. Notice requirements are typically 30 days for increases under 10% and 90 days for larger increases in regulated states.

As of 2026, states with statewide rent control or rent stabilization laws include: California (AB 1482 — 5% + CPI, max 10%), Oregon (7% + CPI above 3%, exempt buildings under 15 years old), New Jersey (local ordinances authorized statewide), New York (NYC rent stabilization and rent control plus some local programs), Maine (Portland, South Portland local ordinances), Minnesota (Minneapolis, Saint Paul), Illinois (Chicago Woodlawn pilot), and Washington D.C. Most other states preempt local rent control entirely — meaning cities cannot pass their own ordinances. Florida, Arizona, Wisconsin, and about 30 other states have preemption laws.

Notice requirements vary by state. California requires 30 days notice for increases 10% or less and 90 days for increases over 10%. New York requires 30, 60, or 90 days depending on tenancy length (under 1 year: 30 days; 1–2 years: 60 days; over 2 years: 90 days). Most states without rent control require 30 days notice. Some states require notice to be in writing delivered by certified mail. Mid-lease rent increases are generally prohibited — increases typically take effect at lease renewal. Raising rent in retaliation for a tenant complaint is illegal in virtually every state.

No. Every state requires some form of advance notice before a rent increase takes effect, even in states without rent control. The minimum notice period is typically 30 days, though many states require more. Some states (California, New York) require 90 days for large increases. Notice must be in writing in most states. A rent increase that doesn't comply with notice requirements is unenforceable. Landlords cannot raise rent in the middle of a fixed-term lease — increases only apply at lease renewal unless the lease explicitly allows mid-term increases.

Rent control typically refers to stricter programs — often applying to older housing stock — that set maximum rents and strictly limit increases. Rent stabilization is a softer form that allows annual percentage increases tied to a cost-of-living index or set by a local board. New York City has both: rent control applies to pre-1974 buildings with continuous tenancy, while rent stabilization applies to the larger pool of regulated apartments and permits small annual increases. California's AB 1482 is technically a form of rent stabilization — it allows 5% + CPI but not strict rent control. The practical distinction matters: rent control can freeze rents below market rate, while rent stabilization allows slow market-rate adjustments.