Does Delaware have rent control for apartments and houses?

No. Delaware does not have statewide rent control for regular apartments or houses, but there are some protections for manufactured home communities.

How much notice must my landlord give before raising the rent?

For most Delaware renters, the law requires at least 60 days’ written notice before a rent increase takes effect.

Can I challenge a rent increase in Delaware?

If you live in a manufactured home community, you can request state mediation over rent increases. Other renters can file a complaint with the Department of Justice if they believe the rent increase violates the law or their lease agreement.

Where do I go if I have a dispute with my landlord over rent?

The Delaware Justice of the Peace Court handles most landlord-tenant disputes. Manufactured home renters may also work with the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit.

How can I keep up with changes to rent control laws in Delaware?

Monitor the Delaware General Assembly website for legislative news, and check with advocacy groups or local housing agencies for updates.

Delaware Rent Control: What Renters Need to Know

Rent Control & Rent Stabilization Delaware published June 21, 2025

Delaware renters are increasingly concerned about how much and how quickly their rent can rise. While rent control laws can offer protection against sudden or excessive rent increases, Delaware does not currently have statewide rent control. This article explains what laws protect renters now, outlines the future of rent control legislation in Delaware, and gives you practical information—including official forms—you can use if you face a rent increase or related issue.

What is Rent Control—and Does Delaware Have It?

Rent control is a legal limitation on how much a landlord can increase rent on certain properties. While some cities or states have laws that set a maximum percentage or dollar amount by which a landlord can raise rent yearly, Delaware currently does not have statewide rent control or rent stabilization laws for most private-market housing.

As of 2024, there is no Delaware law capping rent increases for most apartments, single-family homes, or rental properties.
Delaware tenants do, however, have protection against sudden or unfair practices through the Delaware Residential Landlord-Tenant Code^[1] and related state agencies.

If you receive a notice of a rent increase or are worried about rapid changes, understanding your rights is crucial.

Recent Legislative Activity and the Future of Rent Control in Delaware

Recently, there has been discussion within the Delaware legislature about possible rent stabilization policies, largely in response to rising concerns about housing affordability and reports of substantial rent hikes. Several proposals have been considered:

Manufactured Home Communities: Delaware has laws limiting annual rent increases in manufactured home (mobile home) communities. Owners must follow a process outlined under the Manufactured Home Owners and Community Owners Act ^[2].
General Housing: In 2023 and 2024, bills aimed at studying or implementing rent stabilization for regular apartments and houses have been introduced, but none have been signed into law yet. Renters can track active legislation using the Delaware General Assembly Legislation Tracker.

For now, renters should watch the legislature and community housing advocacy groups for updates, as any change to rent control in Delaware will be widely publicized through official government channels.

Current Rent Increase Rules for Delaware Renters

Even without rent control, Delaware law sets requirements for how and when a landlord can raise your rent:

Landlords must provide at least 60 days’ written notice before increasing rent for most residential leases (see Delaware Residential Landlord-Tenant Code, § 5107).
The notice must be in writing and delivered according to your lease terms or state law.

If you receive a rent increase notice, review its timing and check whether your lease contains any clauses about allowable increases. If you believe the notice is not valid, you can request clarification or file a complaint using official forms, described below.

Official Forms for Delaware Renters

Request for Mediation (Mobile Home Communities): Used if you live in a manufactured home community and want to challenge a proposed rent increase above guidelines. Download the Request For Mediation Form from the Delaware Department of Justice. For example, if you are notified your lot rent will rise more than the Consumer Price Index, you can submit this form to request a state-facilitated mediation process.
Tenant Complaint Form: For renters experiencing suspected violations of landlord-tenant law (such as improper rent increases or failure to provide notice), submit a Consumer Complaint Form to the Delaware Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Unit. This form is often used if a landlord raises rent without the required notice.

Where to File and Seek Assistance

The agency that handles residential tenancy disputes in Delaware is the Delaware Justice of the Peace Court, which oversees landlord-tenant matters including disputes about rent increases and evictions. The Delaware Department of Justice also provides oversight for mobile home cases and landlord-tenant complaints.

What to Watch For: Possible Future Changes

While standard rental housing is not currently protected by rent control, lawmakers continue to debate how to address rising costs. If rent control or stabilization policies are passed in Delaware, they may include:

Limits on annual rent increases for qualifying units
Stronger notice requirements for landlords
Establishment of a government board to approve or review rent adjustments

Until new laws are enacted, renters should stay informed through official state resources and advocacy organizations.

If you have questions about a rent increase or need to challenge a decision, review your lease, collect all written notices, and contact local resources or the Justice of the Peace Court for guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions about Delaware Rent Control and Rent Increases

Does Delaware have rent control for apartments and houses?
No. Delaware does not have statewide rent control for regular apartments or houses, but there are some protections for manufactured home communities.
How much notice must my landlord give before raising the rent?
For most Delaware renters, the law requires at least 60 days’ written notice before a rent increase takes effect.
Can I challenge a rent increase in Delaware?
If you live in a manufactured home community, you can request state mediation over rent increases. Other renters can file a complaint with the Department of Justice if they believe the rent increase violates the law or their lease agreement.
Where do I go if I have a dispute with my landlord over rent?
The Delaware Justice of the Peace Court handles most landlord-tenant disputes. Manufactured home renters may also work with the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Unit.
How can I keep up with changes to rent control laws in Delaware?
Monitor the Delaware General Assembly website for legislative news, and check with advocacy groups or local housing agencies for updates.

Key Takeaways for Delaware Renters

Delaware has no statewide rent control for most rental properties as of 2024.
Landlords must give at least 60 days’ written notice before raising rent.
Special protections and mediation exist for manufactured home communities.
Stay informed about new bills and advocacy efforts to improve tenant protections.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

Delaware Department of Justice – Manufactured Home Program (assistance with mediation, forms, and complaints)
Delaware Justice of the Peace Court – Landlord-Tenant Information (for filing disputes or seeking a hearing)
Delaware General Assembly (to monitor new legislation and policy updates)
Delaware Attorney General's Consumer Complaint Page (submit issues about landlord conduct or rental disputes)