Can my landlord increase my rent if my girlfriend moves in? (2023)

Do I have to let my landlord know my girlfriend is moving in?

Even if your lease or rental agreement doesn't have a specific requirement that the landlord must approve additional tenants, it's normally wise to notify your landlord before moving in another person.

Unfortunately a landlord cannot increase the rent based on the additional person, the rent can be increased only once the tenant has been in the […]

Review what your lease says about sharing the property, and then call the landlord and explain that you'd like to have a partner move in.

California Unmarried Couples Rights

There is no common law marriage in the State of California. This means that if two people live together, there is no statute that confers the rights of married couples upon them.

Tenants should always ask permission to move a partner in, even if there is no specific clause prohibiting it in the tenancy agreement. It's important to ensure this happens as it can affect the performance of the tenancy. To ensure that everyone involved is properly protected, the change may also affect the rent.

Your landlord can increase your rent by any amount if you live with them. If you think your rent increase is too high check the price of properties in your area so you know how much your rent should be on average.

If your live-in boyfriend's name isn't on the lease, you're probably violating the lease and may face eviction.

Applying to challenge your rent increase

If you and your landlord can't agree on your rent increase you can ask a tribunal to decide for you - it's free to apply. You'll need to apply before the date your rent increase is due to start - you can find this on your section 13 notice.

How long can a tenant stay as guest California?

A Guest may not stay on the premises for more than fourteen consecutive days, or a total of fourteen days in a 12 month period. At the discretion of Owner/Agent, Guest(s) who overstay this limit may be required to go through the application process, and if approved, must sign a Rental/Lease Agreement.

You can sublet part of your home with your landlord's written permission. If you sublet part of your home without permission, you are in breach of your tenancy agreement. Your landlord can't unreasonably withhold their consent to a request to sublet part of your home.

You need to pay for your housing, whether to a landlord, a rental agency, or your boyfriend. It's reasonable to pay a portion of the monthly obligations on the home and to split utilities the way you would with any roommate.

Split Rent 50/50

The obvious way to split rent is for each partner to pay exactly half of the bill each month. This can keep it simple, with each person having an even share in housing costs. For example, if you find an apartment that costs $1,800 per month, each partner would contribute $900.

If you are joint owners, you and your partner have equal rights to stay in the home. If you can't agree what should happen to the home, you can ask the court to decide - for example, they might decide you should sell the home.

A tenant must inform the landlords of the name of any occupant within 30 days after the occupant has moved into the apartment or within 30 days of a landlord's request for this information.

It's unusual for a landlord to give separate tenancy agreements to people living as a couple. But, if you do have your own agreement that doesn't mention your partner then you will probably still be able to live in the property if your partner leaves.