Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Massachusetts

What percent of your rent is allowed to be raised?
I have paid 650 a month for rent for 5 years. That includes heat. My landlord wants to raise my rent to 850. Is there any law in this state as to how much a landlord can raise your rent at a time? Is there a percentage amount that they can or can't raise it?

Asked on 6/15/99, 9:57 am

2 Answers from Attorneys

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Re: What percent of your rent .. raised?

By the way, 30+% in one swoop seems pretty high, but then 5 years before without an increase seems WAY low, and even looking at the total of 30% over 5 years ... that's quite low. You've been getting away with murder, so to speak, and it seems as if the music is grinding slowly to a halt.

To answer your question, the first answer is no, there is no limit to the raise in rent, without rent control. But I can think of two exceptions, one of which I don't want to tell you in writing but would first have you more fully answer some questions of mine. The other exception goes to your lease, if you ever had one, and what it may say about rent escalation; there are few residential leases which limit the raise in rent possible, but there are some.

So, on the off-chance that the other exception may apply to you, please call me on the telephone: (617) 527-0050. By the way, what city are you in? (You can write to me directly at

[email protected] if you like.)

Answered on 6/28/99, 5:26 pm

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