Hey Jessica,

The sad truth is that your landlord can charge you as much as they want, regardless of what other units are going for. This is a common concern when rents are on the decline… Other tenants will see that the rent amount advertised is lower than their rent, thus creating some emotions. Rental rates are made between you and your landlord. There are only a few places where the government mandates how much rent can be charged. Those controlled areas are called rent control areas and only known to exist in heavily populated areas where rental rates are high due to the demand. (Such as San Fransico or New York)

As for your carport issue… Again, there is no law that requires apartment complexes to provide parking. In fact, many places have little to no parking. (especially in big cities) Your landlord can and will charge for parking if they can. Most often parking spaces are free or provided at no extra cost, but not always.

The best way to look at this is to think of a lease renewal as a brand new arrangement, just as though you were moving into a new place. Everything is negotiable, but ultimately if you don’t like the new terms, move.

I don’t know what the laws are about charging for parking spaces?? But I can tell you that where I live I’ve always had to pay for parking. $25 seems about right. They can’t force you to pay the new rent increase or additional parking fee since you are the one that decides whether to stay or move. I know moving stinks.

Good Luck

Just to confirm what these other 2 have stated. Yes you can be charged for parking spaces. It seems odd that they are suddenly charging you. But it is their right.