storage rent escalation

[eas1866]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? VA
Self storage rental contract provides that monthly rent may be changed upon 30 days written notice. At start of lease in 1998, rent was $156 per mo. In Sept. 2003, rent was changed to $200 per mo. and later to $220 per mo. Now, we discover that same size and location unit is currently being offered at $175 per mo. So, sometime in past six years, rents were reduced for new renters and kept the same for established renters. Does the law really require renters to ask every month if the new renters are getting a lower rent, in order for established renters to get the same, new lower rents? Is there nowhere any implied provision that the landlord will treat all renters the same? We may have paid up to $3,600 in rent more that other, new renters ($220-$175x12mo.x6yrs). Should we just take this to Small Claims Court and jump up and down and scream and yell?

[Zigner]

Originally Posted by eas1866

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? VA
Self storage rental contract provides that monthly rent may be changed upon 30 days written notice. At start of lease in 1998, rent was $156 per mo. In Sept. 2003, rent was changed to $200 per mo. and later to $220 per mo. Now, we discover that same size and location unit is currently being offered at $175 per mo. So, sometime in past six years, rents were reduced for new renters and kept the same for established renters. Does the law really require renters to ask every month if the new renters are getting a lower rent, in order for established renters to get the same, new lower rents? Is there nowhere any implied provision that the landlord will treat all renters the same? We may have paid up to $3,600 in rent more that other, new renters ($220-$175x12mo.x6yrs). Should we just take this to Small Claims Court and jump up and down and scream and yell?

Why even bother with Small Claims court? You have no case. If you want cheaper rent, move to another storage unit.

[divona2000]

Originally Posted by eas1866

...lease...six years...We may have paid up to $3,600 in rent more that other, new renters ($220-$175x12mo.x6yrs)...jump up and down and scream and yell?

Am I figuring this right?
If "other" renters paid $175 mo. for 72 months ($12,600), and you paid that plus an additional $3,600...$16,200??? Seriously?
What do you have in storage that was worthy of storing for so long?
Better to have bought a lot with a garage, or sell that stuff six years ago, and buy again later!