Renter Glossary

rent stabilization

A local law that limits how much your rent can go up each year.

What this means for you: If your apartment is rent-stabilized, your landlord can only raise rent by the percentage your city sets — usually 2% to 7%.

rent-stabilized

An apartment covered by a local law that caps yearly rent increases.

What this means for you: Your landlord can only raise your rent by the percentage your city's rent board allows.

rent cap

The maximum amount a landlord is allowed to raise your rent in a year.

statutory cap

A rent-increase limit written into state or city law.

notice period

How many days in advance your landlord has to tell you about a rent increase, in writing.

What this means for you: If they don't give you the right amount of notice, the increase usually can't start yet.

habitability

Your right to a safe, livable apartment — working heat, water, locks, no major leaks or pests.

What this means for you: If serious problems aren't fixed, you may have a legal defense against eviction or rent increases.

AMI

Area Median Income — the middle household income in your region, used to set affordable-housing rules.

CPI

Consumer Price Index — a number that tracks how much prices go up each year (inflation).

What this means for you: Many rent caps use CPI to set the maximum increase, so the cap changes a little every year.

just cause

A real, legally-allowed reason a landlord needs to evict you or end your lease.

What this means for you: In just-cause cities, your landlord can't kick you out just because they feel like it.

month-to-month

A rental without a fixed end date — it renews each month until you or the landlord end it.

fixed-term lease

A lease with a set start and end date (usually 12 months).

What this means for you: Your rent generally can't go up in the middle of a fixed-term lease.

tenancy

Your legal status as a renter — fixed-term lease or month-to-month.

HCV

Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) — a federal program that helps low-income renters pay rent.

Section 8

A federal program that pays part of your rent directly to your landlord.

What this means for you: Any rent increase has to be approved by your local housing authority (PHA) before it can take effect.

PHA

Public Housing Authority — the local agency that runs Section 8 in your area.

FMR

Fair Market Rent — what HUD says is a reasonable rent for your area.

rent board

A local city or county agency that sets the maximum yearly rent increase.

ordinance

A local law passed by a city or county.

retaliation

When a landlord punishes you (raising rent, evicting, cutting services) for using your legal rights.

What this means for you: Retaliation is illegal in most states. If it happened within 90–180 days of you complaining or joining a tenant group, the law often assumes it was retaliation.

unconscionable

So unfair or one-sided that a court will refuse to enforce it.

effective date

The date a rent increase actually starts.

cumulative

Added together over time.

What this means for you: A cumulative cap means all the increases in one year — combined — can't go above the limit.

lease renewal

Signing a new lease (or extending the old one) when your current lease ends.

good cause eviction

A law that says landlords need a real, listed reason to evict you or refuse to renew your lease.

market-rate

An apartment that isn't covered by rent-stabilization or affordable-housing rules.

What this means for you: Landlords have more freedom to raise rent, but state and local notice rules still apply.