Landlord Question and Answer Forum

I'm going to increase the rent on a home that's on a month to month. Should I also request a years lease.

If you do a rent increase then yes lock them in for a year, other wise if they are good tenants on a mont to month just keep them as long as you can. This usually works to your benefit. I usually never increase rent for good tenants. I can always make up for it when I look for new tenants.

Posted by Richard W, PA on Tuesday, May 3, 2016

No, since you are in California. Leases are optimal when the market is slow or when you first get the tenants in so that that you don't have a fast turn over. When the rental market is doing well, especially in California, Month to month is better on a renewal. I was an owner and landlord for 12 years in CA before we moved to Washington State a year ago. California is a very different market compared to the rest of the US.

Posted by Matthew H, WA on Thursday, May 5, 2016

Didn't you mention about the increase in rent in the lease agreement? When I was renting a home, my agent at Could Real Estate included all such clauses in the contract to avoid any problems.

Posted by Laura H, on Friday, May 27, 2016

If you’re renting the property out on a month-to-month basis you can increase the rent basically any time he feels like it. But remember, that you has to give your tenant a notice, usually 30 days.

Posted by Ross A, NY on Friday, December 9, 2016