My rent increased—what can I do next?
Review the notice, get tenant advice and plan before making a rushed decision.
A rent increase can threaten housing stability, but the amount alone does not tell you whether the increase is lawful or when you must leave. Your lease, notice, subsidy rules and circumstances matter. This guide offers practical starting points, not a legal ruling.
Sources reviewed November 3, 2026. This is a researched starting point, not an eligibility decision or a live availability check. Confirm current funding, openings, requirements and costs directly with the provider. No account or personal information is needed to read this guide.
Practical next steps
Keep the lease and the written notice
Note the current rent, proposed amount, date you received notice, proposed start date and lease end date. Save communications and payment records. A demand to move is not the same thing as a court-ordered eviction.
Call the Philly Tenant Hotline before agreeing to a move-out date
Call (267) 443-2500 and ask for review of the increase and notice. Mention whether the home is subsidized and whether you received court papers. Do not assume a large increase is automatically illegal—or that an informal demand means you must leave immediately.
Ask about options and time
Ask an advocate about the lease, applicable notice rules, negotiation, mediation or legal assistance. A landlord may agree to a smaller increase, phased change or additional time, but agreement is not guaranteed. Get any agreed change in writing.
If moving is necessary, plan the full cost
Compare monthly rent, utilities, transportation, first/last rent, deposit and moving costs. Contact OHS about prevention or deposit help before signing a new lease. Use the related moving-cost guide for the referral route.
Respond promptly to court papers or urgent threats
Tell the hotline about any hearing date, lockout threat, utility shutoff or other urgent issue. Do not ignore court papers. Get individualized advice before withholding rent, signing away rights or making decisions based on a general guide.
Resource starting points
- Philly Tenant Hotline
A starting point for tenant advice and access to legal help in Philadelphia.
Call with your lease and notice available. Mention any court date or urgent lockout threat.
Tenants in all Philadelphia ZIP codes can call; specific representation programs have additional rules.
Ask about response time and whether representation is available for your case.
- PhillyTenant eviction information
Explains the court process and routes to legal assistance.
Read the court-process guidance, then call the hotline for advice specific to your notice or hearing.
General information does not replace review of an individual case.
A website is not an emergency response service; tell the hotline about deadlines.
- OHS homelessness-prevention assistance
Potential rent or deposit assistance if an unaffordable increase creates a housing crisis.
Ask to be screened for prevention or security-deposit assistance while still housed if possible.
Program screening and funding rules apply.
Financial help and immediate appointments are not guaranteed.
Helpful things to know
A focused call
“My landlord gave me a rent increase. Can someone review my lease and notice, explain the timeline, and help me understand whether I can negotiate or should prepare to move?”
Subsidized housing has different rules
If you have a voucher or another subsidy, contact the housing authority or program administrator as well as a tenant advocate. Do not assume ordinary market-rental rules are the only rules that apply.
Common questions
Is a big rent increase automatically illegal?
No. The amount by itself does not settle the issue. A tenant advocate can review the lease, notice, subsidy and circumstances rather than guessing from the percentage increase.
Does a landlord telling me to leave mean I have been evicted?
No. PhillyTenant explains that landlords must use the legal court process to force a tenant to leave. Contact the hotline about your exact notice and do not ignore any court papers.
Can this site tell me whether to stop paying rent?
No. That decision can have serious consequences. Ask a tenant attorney or advocate about your situation before withholding rent or taking other legal action.