# [Rent going up? What to ask for at renewal](https://trymumm.com/guides/negotiate-rent-increase)

> Review the renewal notice, your notice deadline and comparable local listings. Send a specific written proposal backed by the local market and your record as a tenant. Ask about lease length, parking, storage or repairs alongside the rent.

- **Updated:** 2026-07-20
- **Category:** Everything Else
- **Read time:** 7 min

## What a renewal is worth to your landlord

A renewal can spare the landlord the work and cost of finding a new tenant. Point to your payment record, comparable rents and the lease terms you can offer. Ask for a specific rent and start date.

## Gather comparable listings

Find 5–10 comparable listings in your building or nearby, with the same bedrooms and bathrooms and similar condition. Note where the proposed rent sits against them, and add your record of on-time payments. If the increase puts you above similar units, that is your main point. If similar rents rose too, ask about the structure instead: an increase phased in over several months, a longer lease at a smaller increase, or something added, such as a parking spot, storage, a waived pet fee or an appliance upgrade.

## What to write

Before your notice deadline, write: “I would like to renew. The proposed rent is [amount], compared with [examples]. I have paid on time for [period] and can sign a [term] renewal at [proposed amount].” Include the terms you can offer and ask for a response date.

## When the rent stays firm

If the rent stays firm, ask about a different lease length, parking, storage, repairs or other useful terms. Calculate the complete cost and compare it with moving, including deposits and notice obligations.

## Questions people actually ask



## When should I respond to a rent increase?

Start after reviewing the renewal and before your notice deadline. Check the lease and local rules, then give the landlord time to consider a specific written proposal.

## Can a landlord raise rent as much as they want?

Check the rules for your location and tenancy, including notice periods, rent limits and exemptions. Compare the proposed increase with those rules and local listings before responding.

## Is it worth asking if I plan to stay only one more year?

Compare the full cost of renewing with moving, and add up the yearly difference for each option. Ask for the terms that make staying worthwhile for you.

## What if my landlord uses pricing software?

Some large buildings use software to set the renewal rent, and staff can still approve other terms. Ask about the structure instead of the unit price: lease length, a free month, waived fees or parking.

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