Q: I’m presently renting an apartment. The rent has been raised every year since I moved in four years ago. Is it legal to ask for additional security deposit?

A: They may be able to ask for an additional security deposit. What does your lease say?

The problem I have is that you’ve already been there for 4 years. They know what kind of a tenant you are. Are they asking for an increased security deposit because they perceive you to be a problem tenant? Or, are they hoping you’ll leave so they can really jack up the rent to someone else?

If you don’t want to move, consider signing a longer-term lease with the landlord and negotiating a different sort of security deposit arrangement.