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Leases

WHEN CAN A LANDLORD INCREASE RENT OR CHANGE THE TERMS OF MY LEASE AGREEMENT?

If a rule is adopted after a tenant enters into a rental agreement that creates a substantial modification of the tenant's bargain, it is not valid until seven days after written notice to the tenant in the case of a week to week tenancy, or thirty days' written notice in the case of tenancies from month to month. In the case of a lease agreement, the landlord may not alter the terms of the rental agreement until the end of the term. If a landlord wishes to alter the terms of a lease agreement upon expiration of that agreement, s/he must provide the tenant notice of his/her intent to change the terms of the agreement thirty days before the lease expires. 70-24-311

Source: 70-24-311


HOW MUCH CAN MY LANDLORD INCREASE RENT?

If your rental term is up or you have been provided the proper 7 or 30 day notice in the case of week-to-week and month-to-month agreements, there is not limit on what a landlord can charge for rent.

Source: 70-24-311


WHAT IF I WANT TO BREAK MY LEASE EARLY?

A year lease may only be terminated prior to the end date with the landlords agreement, or with 30 days notice in the case of a month to month agreement. If you want to terminate the lease early without all the additional charges, it all comes down to making the termination of lease easy for your landlord to go along with. Ideally you can offer a desirable candidate to take over your lease. So, the best thing to do is communicate your landlord and help them re-rent the unit quickly so you are not left to pay for the remainder of your lease. 70-24-441

Source: 70-24-441


CAN I SUBLET MY APARTMENT?

You may, but only with written permission from your landlord. Tenants normally sublet in order to hold a rental unit for a period in which they will be gone (as in the case of a tenant who leaves for the summer but wants to keep her/his apartment), or in order to complete the time remaining on a term agreement or lease. If a tenant decides to sublet, they retain all their rights and responsibilities as a tenant, but they also take on all the rights and responsibilities of a landlord - the tenant becomes a landlord to the new tenant. Thus, the tenant is still responsible for the timely payment of rent, and for any damages caused by the person subletting from them, but as a landlord they also take on significant new obligations to, for example, keep the rental unit fit and habitable and to give adequate notice for terminating or changing the rental agreement. 70-24-305

Source: 70-24-305