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8 Little-Known Ways Landlords Are Still Getting Around Rent Caps

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how landlords are getting around rent caps
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Rent caps, also called rent control, are government-mandated limits on how much a landlord can charge for rent. These laws can either set a maximum amount that can be charged or how much rent can be increased over time. Rent control laws are supposed to keep housing affordable, but some landlords have found clever ways to get around these restrictions. Not all states have these laws, but states like New Jersey, California, and New York do.

Rent control aims to make housing more affordable and equitable for tenants. However, some landlords try to get around these laws. While not always illegal, these tactics can leave tenants surprised with sudden increases or unexpected costs. Here are eight little-known methods landlords are still using to bypass rent caps.

1. Renoviction Tactics

Some landlords claim major renovations are needed. They then use that as a legal reason to evict tenants. Once the unit is vacant, they can increase the rent far beyond what the previous tenant was paying. This skirts rent cap laws and helps the landlord to profit more.

2. Reclassifying the Unit

Landlords may attempt to reclassify a unit from residential to commercial. They may even convert it into a short-term rental like an Airbnb. While not subject to the same rent caps, short-term rentals have their own zoning and insurance requirements. Reclassifying the property lets landlords sidestep local rent control rules entirely.

3. Charging New Fees

Rent might be capped, but parking, storage, pet fees, or amenities charges often aren’t. By adding or increasing these side fees, landlords can boost their income without technically raising the rent. If you see new fees being charged on your rent, you should question them. If you suspect that you are being unfairly charged, you can always file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau or the Consumer Financial Protection Agency.

4. Leasing to a New Tenant at a Higher Rate

In some cities, rent caps only apply to existing tenants. Once someone moves out, landlords can reset the rent to whatever the market allows. Sometimes this can be double or triple the previous rate. If the rental is in a high-demand area, the market dictates the price.

5. Offering Discounted Rent, First, Then Removing It

A landlord might initially offer a “move-in special” or temporary discount. Later, when the discount expires, the rent jumps dramatically. Legally, it’s not an increase, just the end of a promotion. This way, over time, the landlord is able to charge more for the lease.

6. Owner Move-Ins

Some landlords claim they or a relative needs to move into the unit. Once the tenant is gone, they either don’t move in at all or stay briefly before relisting at a much higher rent. These owner move-in evictions are usually completely legal. But they do vary by state.

7. Creating New Lease Agreements

Instead of renewing leases, landlords might ask tenants to sign entirely new ones with updated terms. These new leases may include higher base rent or added fees. This bypasses renewal protections tied to rent control. If a landlord asks you to sign a new lease, always read the fine print; you may be paying significantly more money.

8. Pressuring Tenants to Leave Voluntarily

Some landlords make living conditions unpleasant, delay repairs, or offer buyouts to push tenants to leave. Once they do, the landlord raises the rent for the next tenant. As a renter, always know your rights. This includes what your landlord is required to fix, your right to safety, and so forth.

Understanding How Rent Caps Affect You

While rent caps aim to protect tenants, they often come with loopholes. Tenants should read leases carefully, document communication, and know their rights under local law. Landlords may find ways around rent caps, but that doesn’t mean tenants are powerless.

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8 Lies About Your Credit Report You Need to Stop Believing

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For many, credit reports and credit scores are a mystery. There are so many misconceptions surrounding credit that we often believe things that are far from the truth. It’s important to debunk these lies so that you can improve your financial outlook and not make costly mistakes. Here are 8 common lies about your credit report that many people believe, and why you should stop falling for them. With the right knowledge, you can get your credit report on the right track.

1. “Checking your own credit hurts your score.”

Pulling your own credit report is considered a soft inquiry, which does not affect your credit score. In fact, it’s a smart habit to check your credit regularly. If there are any errors, you’ll want to know immediately. Plus, regularly monitoring your report can help you make adjustments to things like your credit card spending habits, if it is bringing down your score. Be aware that hard inquiries, like applying for a new credit card, will show on your credit report and affect your score.

2. “You only have one credit report.”

There are three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), and each may have slightly different information. You have three credit reports, not just one. While your score probably won’t fluctuate significantly among the credit bureaus, it’s important to monitor all three. You can choose a credit monitoring service that pulls all your reports.

3. “Your report and credit score are the same thing.”

Your credit report is a record of your credit history. Your credit score is a numerical value based on that report. They’re closely related, but not the same. Both are used when you apply for credit cards or loans. Your credit score and report demonstrate your creditworthiness to lenders.

4. “Paying off a debt removes it from your report.”

Even after paying off a debt, it can remain on your report for up to 7 years if it was negative (like a late payment or collection). Positive accounts may remain longer. While it may seem hard to recover from a derogatory mark on your credit report, it will fall off in time. In the meantime, you can rebuild your credit by making on-time payments and keeping your credit utilization low. Over time, positive activity will help outweigh past negatives in your credit profile.

5. “Closing a credit card helps your credit.”

Closing a card can hurt your score by reducing your available credit. This can raise your credit utilization ratio. It can also potentially shorten your credit history. The number of closed accounts will appear on your credit report. Lenders often prefer to see long-standing accounts that demonstrate responsible credit use over time. Unless there’s an annual fee or another strong reason, keeping the account open is usually better for your score.

6. “You can’t fix credit report errors.”

You can and should dispute errors. Credit bureaus are legally required to investigate disputes and correct any inaccuracies under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). If you suspect a discrepancy, you can file a report with that credit bureau. You can also submit supporting documentation to strengthen your case. Correcting these mistakes can significantly boost your credit score and improve your financial opportunities.

7. “You must carry a balance to build credit.”

You do not need to carry a balance or pay interest to build your credit. Simply using your credit card and paying it off on time is enough to build good credit. In fact, you should pay off your cards every billing cycle to avoid paying interest and lower your credit utilization and revolving balances. This ultimately can improve your score. Carrying a balance only leads to unnecessary interest charges without offering any credit-building advantage.

8. “Your income is listed on your credit report.”

Your income is not part of your credit report. Lenders might ask for income during applications, but it’s not something the credit bureaus track. If you have a higher income, you may get a bigger credit limit or be approved for a larger loan. But nowhere on your report does your income show.

Debunking Credit Report Myths

Believing myths about your credit can cost you money, opportunities, and peace of mind. Understanding the truth empowers you to take control of your financial health. By debunking these common lies, you can make smarter credit decisions, protect your score, and build a stronger financial future. Don’t let misinformation hold you back — stay informed, check your reports regularly, and take action when needed. Your credit is one of your most powerful financial tools — treat it that way.

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Does Anyone Have Privilege Any More? The Answer No One Is Ready To Hear

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What is privilege?
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When you think of privilege, you probably think of someone who has been fed with a silver spoon. We use it to describe everything from race and gender to wealth and education. If you have invisible advantages, you’re privileged. But does privilege really exist anymore, or are we all just trying to get by? Has privilege disappeared among economic instability, political polarization, and cultural fragmentation? The answer is yes, but not in the way we are accustomed to.

Is Privilege a Thing of The Past?

In 2025, as inflation eats away at middle-class stability, job markets are reshaped by AI, and even the wealthy grapple with climate anxiety and social unrest, some ask: Does anyone actually have privilege? The uncomfortable answer is that privilege hasn’t disappeared. It’s just become more layered, more hidden, and more complex than the culture wars allow us to admit.

Thinking about privilege is often ignored today. Many of us don’t have this conversation because of fatigue. We’re so tired of hearing about privilege when we are struggling. But it’s important to get to the truth and not look at privilege as a dirty word for someone who has never struggled in life.

In fact, the very idea of privilege has been politicized, weaponized, and oversimplified. People hear the word and shut down because they associate it with blame or guilt. But privilege isn’t always something you choose — it’s often just something you were born into. And acknowledging it doesn’t mean you haven’t worked hard.

The New Privileged Class

So who is the privileged class? Maybe it’s just people who haven’t endured as much hardship. It’s not to say that they have avoided the chaos of life altogether, but have struggled less than some. Privilege today can look like having access to private insurance and good health. It can be a college degree with no student debt. It may even be citizenship in a country that has a strong democracy and no war. Maybe for others, it looks like having a stable job where you can afford childcare.

It could even mean something as simple as generational wealth, like having parents who could help with a down payment on a home, or who didn’t pass down debt. In today’s world, even time and mental space are privileges. The ability to plan ahead, rest, or pursue personal growth is not universal.

Respecting Each Other’s Experiences

We shouldn’t write off each other’s experiences and situations. Just because someone is privileged in one area of their life doesn’t mean that their experiences aren’t valid. No one today is privileged in the same way we once thought about it. Maybe only the ultra-wealthy are truly privileged. In reality, the middle class has all but disappeared in the US, and we all struggle to some extent. Ignoring privilege doesn’t eliminate inequality. But reframing the conversation may help. When we truly walk in each other’s shoes, we can find common ground and understanding.

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