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By Darlin TilleryShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberA college student says she was left stunned after receiving a late-night text from her landlord informing her that her monthly rent would increase by $600 starting next year, a jump she says she cannot afford as she finishes her final year of school.
The message, which she shared in a post on Reddit this week, outlined a $250 rent increase plus a new $350 monthly pet fee tied to her dog.
The original poster (OP), who goes by Sensitive-Mango7155, said she currently rents a 300-square-foot apartment that she described as “perfect” for her needs and budget.
Neighbors' Complaints
She wrote that the rent had been manageable until the landlord’s message, which also cited complaints from neighbors about her walking her dog late at night and requested that she stop taking the canine out after 9 p.m.
In her post, the student said she had informed her landlord when she got her puppy, a Belgian Malinois, and was told at the time that it was allowed.
The OP added that she takes steps to minimize any impact in the unit, including keeping it clean, having friends watch the dog while she is at work or in class and putting socks on the dog indoors to protect the floors.
...The late-night walking restriction also confused her, she said, given her schedule.
In a reply to other Reddit contributors, the OP wrote, “I babysit and work at a restaurant so I definitely go home late late and one neighbor gives me the side eye now because she has to wake up really early for work, but I didn’t think it was a big deal.
"I’m a very quiet person in general.”
Pundits on the platform questioned whether a landlord could reasonably dictate a tenant’s movements at night. As one person asked, “What if you were going out after 10 p.m. to go to work, or to just take a walk on your own? Are you expected to be imprisoned in your apartment from 9 p.m. until some hour in the morning?”
Legal Advice
Several commenters urged the student to seek legal guidance, pointing her toward California Rural Legal Assistance, a nonprofit law firm that provides free civil legal services to low-income residents in rural parts of the state.
Its mission is, “to dismantle unjust systems through community lawyering,” according to the organization.
The student responded positively to that advice, writing in a follow-up comment, “Thank you!! I will look into this!”
Pressure on Tenants
Rising rents have placed pressure on tenants across the country, particularly students and young workers with limited income.
Guidance published by Experian notes that renters may have options when faced with sharp increases.
“If your rent increases, you may be able to negotiate either for a smaller jump in rent or for benefits that can help offset higher housing costs,” wrote Brianna McGurran in an Experian article about rent hikes.
The same article also points out that notice requirements and limits vary by state and lease type.
“Most states and municipalities have laws governing when a landlord must notify a tenant of a rent increase,” McGurran wrote, adding that landlords generally cannot raise rent mid-lease in a fixed-term agreement.
For the student, the timing is especially stressful. With one year of college remaining, she said she would prefer to stay put, but does not see how an extra $600 a month is realistic.
The OP added that finding another apartment that allows a dog, particularly a larger breed, feels unlikely in an already expensive market.
Newsweek has reached out to Sensitive-Mango7155 for comment via Reddit. We could not verify the details of the case.
To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, click here.
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