What must a landlord do to legally increase the rent?

To legally increase the rent, a landlord must provide proper notice as required by local law. This is crucial because laws vary by area, and many jurisdictions have specific requirements that landlords must follow regarding rent increases. For instance, the notice period may differ based on whether the lease is month-to-month or a long-term lease, and some regions impose limits on how much rent can be increased within a certain timeframe.

Following the proper legal process ensures that tenants are informed and have a reasonable amount of time to prepare for the change in their financial obligations. Failing to provide the required notice could result in legal complications for the landlord, including the inability to enforce the higher rent or potential disputes with tenants.

The other options are insufficient for compliance with legal rental practices. A verbal agreement lacks the legal documentation needed for such modifications, while increasing rent only upon lease renewal does not cover all scenarios, particularly for ongoing leases. Sending a written warning might be good practice but does not fulfill the legal requirements for rent increases as mandated by local statutes.