2 Comments

  1. Ella Cecilia Saberon says:

    Hi!

    May I seek your advise.
    Since the day we rented the apartment unit in September 15, 2022, we do not have a Contact of Lease and the monthly rental was SEVEN THOUSAND PESOS. They collected a 1 month advance & 2 months deposit in which they use to renovate the said unit.
    January 2023 the rent increased to EIGHT THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED ( just 3 months since the first day we occupied the unit. My landlord just gave us a notice that starting January 2024 the house rent will increase to TEN THOUSAND PESOS from the current EIGHT THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED PESOS This means a 15% increase and will have a yearly increase of 10% thereof.

    Question:
    1. Is the crease rightful?
    2. If not, What can I do to protect my rights?
    3. Where to go and what complain shall I file?
    4. How much is the current maximum house rent increase allowable in my case? In RA 9653 it is stated that 7% is the maximum, is this still applicable of there is a new and updated one?

    I hope to receive your reply the soonest possible. Thanks.

    1. Hi Ella Cecilia Saberon,

      It sounds like you’re facing a challenging situation with your rent increases. Without a written lease agreement, things can get quite complicated. According to the Rent Control Act of 2009 (RA 9653), which covers residential units with a monthly rent of up to Php 10,000 in Metro Manila (and varying amounts in other regions), the allowable rent increase is only up to 7% annually for existing tenants. Since your increases seem to exceed this without a formal agreement or proper notification, you might have grounds to contest the hikes.

      To protect your rights, it’s crucial to communicate your concerns with your landlord and seek a mutually agreeable solution. If this doesn’t work, you can approach the Barangay for mediation or the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) or Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB), depending on the nature of your complaint. Ensure you have all your payment records, any communication with your landlord, and evidence of the rent increases to support your case.

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