New Buyer, Current Tenant Questions: How to increase rent

[Matthew Mclean]

Any information regarding annual rent increases, and if/how to increase rent from the start. How they generally go.

[Jonathan R McLaughlin]

@Jonah Hartsburg good post and I would add to this...make it short. The more you explain your motivation or thinking in the actual message the more you risk inadvertently offending. Just the fact's ma'am, no "I feel your pain" or "I'm sorry but." or "expenses have increased".

When making a big raise to people we want to keep (inherited, repositioning what have you) we have tried to matter of factly let them know in advance of our plans and use the magic phrase "nothing will change without notice". 

We have also used language like: 

"As you have been an excellent tenant, we are pleased to offer you a lease renewal at *****. Please see the attached housing survey and area comps for a look at the current market. Should you choose not to renew, please notify us by XXXXX.

Note the emphasis on language suggesting they have a choice. Its a little thing but I think it helps.