What this calculator does
A rent increase looks small per payment and adds up over a year. A 5% rise on $2,000 a month is $100 a payment, which is $1,200 over the year.
The payment frequency is what makes the annual figure surprising. The same $100 increase costs $1,200 a year if rent is monthly, $2,600 if fortnightly and $5,200 if weekly, because the number of payments differs so much. Comparing a weekly rent against a monthly one without annualising both is a common and expensive mistake.
The formula
The increase is applied either as a percentage of the current rent or as a fixed amount, and the new rent is the sum. The annual figures multiply by the number of payments per year: 12 monthly, 26 fortnightly or 52 weekly. Note that fortnightly rent is not simply half monthly, since 26 fortnights exceed 12 months worth of weeks.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Rent increase | The rise applied to the current rent, as a percentage or a fixed amount. |
| Payment frequency | How often rent falls due, which sets the annual multiplier. |
| Annual rent | Rent per payment times payments per year, the figure worth comparing. |
| Rent cap | A statutory limit on the size or frequency of increases, which many jurisdictions apply. |
The inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Current rent ($) | Current rent per payment, not per year. |
| Increase given as | Whether the increase is expressed as a percentage or a fixed amount. |
| Increase percentage (%) | The percentage increase, used in percentage mode. |
| Increase amount ($) | The fixed increase amount, used in amount mode. |
| Rent is paid | How often rent is paid, which determines the annual figures. |
When to use it
Reviewing a rent increase notice
Converting the per-payment rise into an annual figure shows what it actually costs.
Comparing two properties
One advertised weekly and one monthly cannot be compared until both are annualised.
Budgeting for a renewal
Modelling a likely increase before a lease ends makes the decision to stay or move clearer.
Worked examples
Every figure in the tables below is produced by this page’s own calculator at build time, so the numbers and the tool always agree. Select any row to load that scenario.
What does each increase cost per year?
A range of percentage increases on the same rent.
| Increase | New rent | Increase | Extra per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3% | $2,060.00 per payment | $60.00 (3.00%) | $720.00 |
| 5% | $2,100.00 per payment | $100.00 (5.00%) | $1,200.00 |
| 10% | $2,200.00 per payment | $200.00 (10.0%) | $2,400.00 |
Questions
How much can my rent be increased?
It depends entirely on where you are. Many jurisdictions cap the frequency of increases, some cap the amount, and some require a set notice period and a prescribed form. Others leave it to the agreement. Check the residential tenancy rules that apply to you before accepting a notice.
Why is fortnightly rent more than half of monthly?
Because there are 26 fortnights in a year but only 12 months. A fortnightly rent equal to half the monthly figure would collect 13 months of rent a year. When converting between frequencies, always go via the annual total rather than halving or doubling.
Is a percentage or a fixed increase better?
For the tenant, whichever is smaller in cash terms, which depends on the starting rent. The distinction matters more for what it signals: percentage increases compound over successive years, while a repeated fixed amount becomes a smaller percentage each time.
Should I compare against inflation?
It is a useful reference point. An increase below general inflation is a real-terms reduction; well above it is a real-terms rise. Local rental market movements often diverge from general inflation, so both are worth knowing before negotiating.
For a part-period rent, see the pro rata rent calculator. For the bigger decision, see the rent or buy comparison.