As a landlord, I think your landlord is an idiot. You have to balance the market against the ability of folks to pay these kind of increases and the high probability you will end up with a vacant unit that you have to spend money to re-rent. In your shoes, I would call the landlord and explain that while you understand that market rents have increased, an 18 percent increase is not in your budget. You have been an excellent tenant, paying your rent on time, maintaining the property, and causing no problems. You would like to stay, so perhaps a compromise that would allow her to bring the rent to market over two years would be acceptable. Maybe she could accept $1,075 for the coming year and then consider an additional increase at the end of that time. If she says no, start looking. If you can find a better deal, try to negotiate a two year lease with a minimal bump at the end of the first year.