You def should not agree to first month, that makes 0 sense. First month was already paid when you moved in at the original price.

Last month always goes up with your rent because it literally covers the last month of rent, which you won’t have to pay when it’s due, so there’s that.

Security deposit I kind of feel like shouldn’t increase but landlords gonna landlord. But you could certainly argue that point with them.

Last and security is supposed to increase with the rent. First month is paid in full do not pay that

More importantly, if your landlord is that much of an asshole I worry that your first last and security aren’t in an escrow account.

By law, all of that money should be in its own account earning you interest which (in theory) you get back when you move out.

Maybe carefully word something “Oh sure, if you could just send me the statement with my original first list and security I’ll do the math on what I owe minus the interest I’ve accrued”

EDIT: Please see u/TotallyErratic ‘s comment below for clarification on what’s in escrow vs gaining interest. Still 100% worth looking into.

These people are trying to take advantage of the housing crisis by more or less getting you to sign an entire new lease and pay up. I would move because it’s likely to happen again

I feel your pain. I have to say, I love my landlord. Haven't raised my rent in six years, fixes everything right away and just awesome people. There are still a few good ones out there. Hard to find from what I read, but they are out there.

Great advice, OP this is the play

They're out there but we're gonna hear more about the bad ones on here. Mine is much the same. Hasn't raised rent in 3 years, fixes things ASAP, is proactive about other maintenance for the building, already returned my security deposit, even moved my car so it wouldn't get towed when I was out of town.

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Pretty sure 1st month goes to landlord automatically.

Last month just need to be in an interest bearing account.

Security deposit is the only one required to be in an escrow.

Pretty sure landlords in any major city is disliked in general.

I used to rent out an apartment in my two family home. Peace of mind was more important to me than squeezing the last cent from my tenants. Here's what I did:

- I placed a Craigslist ad in March/April for a lease starting on September 1. Those who responded were in the know, and smarter than the average.

- I kept the rent slightly below the market value, and did not charge a broker's fee. I was able to screen for the tenants with good references, and of my liking.

- For the good tenants, I renewed their leases in March/April for September 1, without a raise in rent.

- When a tenant moved out, I returned their security deposit with interest. I checked the market value again, and placed an ad setting the rent slightly below it.

- The apartment was always rented out, and was never vacant.

For a few decades, I was blessed with great tenants. Many only moved out when they had to relocate. I only need to find new tenants every few years.

Advantages for renting an apartment from an owner occupied house:

- There is likely no broker's fee.

- If there are other apartments in the building, those tenants are unlikely to be rowdy.

- The building is likely to be well maintained.

- If repairs are needed, contacting the owner is far easier than a management company.

- Better probability of a parking space.

- Driveway is likely to be shoveled soon after a storm.

Trying to make you retroactively pay more for the first month is illegal. That month is already done and over with.

The Security deposit, and Last Month rent, though? Legitimate (and legal) for him to want you to pay the difference.

I think all prepaid rent, including first and last, has to go into escrow until the date that it's due.

I have never heard of an issue with 1st month rent, so I have no idea how that one works.

As for last month, I don't recall it needing to be in escrow. Mass Legal Help (https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.masslegalhelp.org/housing/lt1-chapter-3-security-deposit.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjslNC12fv6AhU4EFkFHV5nA0oQFnoECBQQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1lYsTWyHfvOD8spFz0r9eA) only show it needs to be in an interest bearing account. It explicitly mention that the landlord doesnt need to keep it in a separate account.

Then again, I am not a lawyer. Someone who is can probably point to the actual language and interpretation.

What's your monthly rent today?

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How on earth can a prior first month rent be retroactively adjusted higher to today’s market rent. That would in essence leave a renter with unlimited loss potential. Your landlord could (in theory) tell you that your rent was now $6,000 a month and that you owed the difference between the market rental price years ago and what s/he decided to charge now (for the first month paid.)The retroactive adjustment is nonsense. Last month I get, but first month is garbage.

I can tell you’ve lost money trading options

Lol - I’d like to think I’ve made more than I’ve lost, but yes, selling a naked call is very risky and this is precisely what the landlord has exposed the renter to….