rent raising

[<kristin_smith>]

hi
i live in brooklyn in an non-stabilized, unregulated apartment. it is a small building with only 2 apartments. my rent has stayed the same for the past 2 years. this year my original roommate moved out and another one moved in. my name is on the lease, as was my original roommates. i just heard from the property manager that the landlord is going to raise the rent this year. we have yet to renew our year long lease because he has been out of town for several months. what is the legal limit to which he can raise the rent? is there a % that he can't raise it above? he is a bit of a crook so i just want to be prepared! thanks, lk

[ChrisG]

for unregulated apartments, there is no set amount the LL can raise the rent. while many LLs are gougers who will raise the rent beyond resonable limits, smart LLs won't raise the rent too much for reputable tenants who have been occupying a property for several years. if you have been a good tenant, that's pretty much your only hope.