Can a landlord increase a tenant's rent during a lease?

In South Carolina, a landlord cannot increase a tenant’s rent mid-lease. The tenant and landlord have a legally binding contract that states the amount of rent due each month. If the landlord attempts to increase the rent, the tenant can take legal action against them for breach of contract. The only exception to this rule is if the lease agreement specifically states that the rent could increase during the course of the lease. For example, the agreement may say that the rent will be increased annually by a certain amount or percentage. If the lease does not mention the possibility of rent increases, then the landlord is not allowed to raise the amount due from the tenant during the duration of the lease. It is important to read the language of the lease agreement carefully to understand a tenant’s rights. If the tenant violates the terms of the agreement, then the landlord can initiate legal action against the tenant. In the end, it is in the landlord’s best interest to honor the lease terms and not raise the rent. If they break their contractual agreement, they could be subject to a tenant’s legal action.

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Can a landlord increase a tenant's rent during a lease?

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