IN 2021, the US Labor Department reported that the annual rate of inflation was 5.4% as measured year over year. Let’s face it, the costs of everything are going up. That includes food, energy, taxes, insurance, household goods, etc. Basically, anything you can buy is getting more expensive by the day which leads to raising the rent.
Rents are also going up. From January through September of 2021, the national increase in rental rate has been 16.4%. Rents were already going up prior to 2020, but the Covid 19 pandemic hastened that increase.
It is reported that rental housing prices have increased 7% in the OKC metro area year over year.
Landlord Guidelines for Increasing the Rent
As an owner, your rental unit is an excellent hedge against inflation. When rents go up, it’s up to you to insist that, if it’s possible, the rents in your rental properties keep pace with the market. After all, you can count on all of the costs of operating your rental unit (property tax, insurance, maintenance, and utilities) to go up.
Some of those, like property insurance, have some constraints on them (they can only increase a certain percentage per year). But other costs, like maintenance, are unconstrained. Labor costs and especially the cost of materials have gone up dramatically in some cases. These can be blamed on the spike in energy and labor prices and other supply chain issues that have resulted in supply and demand issues.
If you have multiple tenants on the same property for rent, get to know about multi tenant lease.
Oklahoma Rent Increase Laws
In Oklahoma, landlords have the freedom to set rental prices without any restrictions on how much they can charge. This means there are no laws in place to control or limit the amount of rent a landlord can ask for. Additionally, the state has rules that prevent local governments from creating their own rent control laws. In simpler terms, landlords in Oklahoma have the power to decide how much rent they want to charge without any legal limitations from the state or local authorities.
How much can a landlord raise the rent in Oklahoma?
In Oklahoma, there are no set limits on how much a landlord can increase the rent. They have the freedom to raise it as long as they give proper notice to the tenants.
When is it Appropriate to Raise the Rent on Your OKC Rental Properties?
When your tenant is within the timeframe of a lease agreement, the rent is established. It cannot be changed with a rent increase notice. Rent can be raised at these times during the occupancy:
- While a tenant is month-to-month.
- Upon expiration of a lease term.
Also Read: How to rent your house fast?
More information on Rent Increment
- The OKC rental market, like that of other areas of the country, is tight, and rents are increasing. But during times in which the market is flat (i.e., supply of rental outstrips demand), rents should not be increased.
- An annual increase is appropriate. I would not advise rental increases of a more frequent nature.
What is the Appropriate Amount to Raise the Rent?
Some leases establish the amount in which rents will be increased. That is, a lease could state that upon expiration of the lease, the rent will increase by a certain percentage to account for inflation. That percentage should be around 3% since that is the well-accepted figure for inflation.
If there is no increase established by the terms of the lease, your property manager should provide rental comps for the neighborhood. Rental comps are a good starting point in which to establish a rental increase.
I generally will try to keep the amount of the increase within a range that will not drive off a tenant.
Note: Before raising the rent always do market research, evaluate your property, consider market demand, and be flexible with negotiation. Get to know about how much you should charge for rent.
For example, if there is a property that is under-rented because rents haven’t been raised in some years, increasing the rent by $300 abruptly may cause the tenant to move. Do you really want a vacancy?
Keep in mind that the cost of vacancy outweighs the increase in rent in most cases. For example, as the owner, you will have the cost of vacancy, make ready, and any leasing fees that will be due to the management company.
How are Rents Increased?
Your property management OKC must provide notice to the tenant. I like to provide as much notice as possible to the tenant. Here are some guidelines on how to raise the rent on a tenant:
- The manager should provide an email or text notification as soon as possible (at least 45 days from the effective date of the increase is ideal). Give them an appropriate heads-up.
- You are legally required to provide a written notice to the tenant 30 days prior to the effective date of the rental increase. This notice is to be posted on the property on the first of the month in which the rent is to be increased.
- The management company should be sure to change the rental amount in their accounting system to make sure everyone in the office is aware of the new rental amount.
- If the tenant does not pay the correct amount, your management company needs to contact the tenant to let them know.
Recommended: How to Set the Rental Price for Your OKC Rental Property
When Can’t a Landlord Raise Rent in Oklahoma?
A landlord in Oklahoma can’t or is prohibited to raise the rent under the following circumstances:
1. During a fixed-term lease: Landlords cannot increase the rent during the middle of a lease’s fixed term unless the lease agreement explicitly allows it.
2. Discriminatory reasons: It is illegal for landlords to raise the rent based on discriminatory factors such as race, color, gender, religion, nationality, origin, etc. The Federal Fair Housing Act provides protection against such discriminatory practices.
3. Landlords cannot increase the rent as a form of retaliation against the tenant’s status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking. Oklahoma law prohibits rent increases in response to these circumstances.
FAQs on Increasing Rent in Oklahoma
Is there a legal limit to the amount in which the rent for a tenant can be raised in Oklahoma?
If the increase in rental amount is not established in a lease agreement, there is no limit. However, that amount should be reasonable so as not to cause the tenant to move as turnover is expensive.
Can you increase the rent of a section 8 tenant?
Yes, as long as it is not during a current lease term. And, the housing authority will need to approve the rental increase.
Does the notice of rent increase to the tenant need to state a reason?
It does not. The landlords are not typically required to state the reason of rent increase.
Is it advisable to always increase rent at the expiration of a lease term?
Generally yes, unless the rental market is in a condition of falling rents.
Are There any Oklahoma Rent Increase Laws?
In Oklahoma, landlords have the freedom to raise the rent by any amount and for any reason at any time. There are no legal limits or laws prohibiting such increases. However, it's important to note that landlords cannot raise the rent during the middle of a fixed lease term unless otherwise stated in the agreement.
What is average rent in Oklahoma?
As of May 2023, the median rent in Oklahoma is $1,400 per month. Rental prices vary based on location, property type, and size. In larger cities like Oklahoma City and Tulsa, one-bedroom apartments range from $600 to $900 per month, while two-bedroom apartments range from $800 to $1,200 per month. For the latest and most accurate rental prices, you should consult with local property management companies.
