Can a landlord raise the rent within the first two years of a new tenancy?

Yes, the landlord can increase the rent within the first two years of a new tenancy. They can propose an increase at the first annual renewal (end of year one), provided they meet two strict legal requirements:

1. 90-Day Notice: The landlord must notify the tenant about the increase in writing at least 90 days before the contract expires.
2. RERA Index Approval: The increase must strictly match the official RERA Rental Calculator. If the current rent is within 10% of the market average for the area, the legal allowed increase is 0%.

If the landlord misses the 90-day window or demands an amount higher than the RERA cap, the contract automatically renews under the current rental rate, according to the Decree No. 43 of 2013. The rental changes are subjective to the market difference between current rent and rental index rent.