raising rent on only one side of a duplex

[Elizabeth Blazina]

Hi ,

Is it legal to raise the rent on only one side of a rental.  I may be answering my own question here, but last year we fixed up one side when an old tenant left and a new one came and then raised that units rent.  I am not wanting to raise that one this year but would like raise the other side due to inflationary components.. Is this legal?

Thanks in advance,

[Michele Fischer]

Document, document, document.  Have a a reason that isn't discriminatory.  In this case I would say that my policy is that the newer tenant has not been there long enough to raise rent. Periodically calculate market rent compared to other units for rent, document why one side is better than the other, set policies.  We don't raise rent the first year, other years we raise rent to be the midpoint between current and market rent, or we don't raise on anyone.  We document our analysis every year.