How Much Can a Landlord Raise Rent for a New Tenant?

No federal limit. In most of the U.S., landlords can set the initial rent for a new tenant at any amount—market rate, double the previous rent, or more.

Where Limits Exist

• Rent control / stabilization cities: NYC, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Oakland, Berkeley, Washington DC, Portland (OR), St. Paul (MN), and a few others cap increases for existing tenants; some (e.g., NYC, SF) also regulate vacancy decontrol (reset limits) or limit new-tenant rents.
• State laws: Oregon (annual cap + vacancy control), California (AB 1482: 5% + CPI, up to 10%, for most properties >15 yrs old).
• Local ordinances: Increasingly common in high-cost metros.

What to Do

Check your city/county housing department or a tenants' rights org. If no local law applies, the landlord can ask any price—negotiate or walk away.