Hi guys -- first time posting here, but frequent reader.
I am in a joint one year lease agreement with another student (we both go to UCLA). We rent a 2ba/br apartment for $1400/mo. After the one-year period, the lease enters into a month-to-month agreement with the same terms. That one year period has just come up, and my roommate has given notice to move out by January 31st. This has happened in the past, and I simply found a replacement roommate and there were no surprises. However, this time my landlord has notified me that the rent will increase to $1700 on February 1st once the replacement moves in. That is an over 20% increase! There have been incremental increases in the past of 4% in accordance to L.A. rent controls, but nothing this massive. Is there anything I can do to fight this?
I can post the lease agreement if the issue boils down to the specific terms in the lease; however, it is rather generic and I don't believe it addresses anything like this.
Thanks!

