Q.      I moved into a new apartment three months ago. My neighbors are all telling me that the complex has been regularly raising the rent.  They believe that the rent increases are excessive for what is given to us in return.  Management did not inform me of any rent increase there may be. 

I didn’t know, nor was I informed that the management could raise my rent without doing anything around the complex to explain an increase. Don’t they have to justify an increase?  J.B., Morrisville

A.      Yes and No.

Management may raise the rent as they see fit, unless you are in the middle of a year’s lease. So, in your case, management may not raise your rent until your one year is up. In addition, the landlord must send a 30-day notice stating the amount of the increase. 

However, the increase in your rent does not have to coincide with any upgrades or repairs done to your apartment or the complex.  If you feel your apartment needs serious repairs, you should state this in writing to management; making sure that you keep a copy for your records.  Be sure to state what the problems are in your apartment, what you would like to see done to fix the problems, and a time frame to do the repairs. 

If you, the tenant, do not get a response in the way of repairs or are not satisfied, then you can call Bucks County Office of Consumer Protection at 1-800-942-2669 and we will attempt to get a resolution between you and the landlord through mediation.

You may also visit the website at www.buckscounty.org and click “Consumer Protection” to obtain a free copy of the Landlord/Tenant booklet which contains an outline of the law pertaining to both landlord and tenant rights and obligations.