Look on your computer or yellow pages for a Renters Representative Council in your area or some such body that attends to this. I don't know what your particulars are, but $1000 sounds more than what's "reasonably supported in the market in a like or similar domicile" especially now - this is the usual guide for Landlords. Anything more than 20% at MOST is generally unfounded and there may be legal ramifications both for discrimination or abuse of priviledge in your community. Laws are different all over.