Rent increase only 6 months after previous one? (Los Angeles: lease, how much)

[jeffest]

I've lived in my current rent-controlled building in LA for many years and I've always gotten an annual increase at about the same time each year. I got an increase in December of 2006 but then they tried to give me another increase in July of 2007. I told the manager then that I thought that was illegal and he said he'd take care of it. Well we've since gotten new owners and they keep insisting that I owe them back rent from that July increase. I'm not protected by a yearly lease - I pay month-to-month, so should I continue fighting this? Is it legal to increase a tenants rent only 6 months after the previous one when they're under rent control? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[heatherette]

I'm sorry I can't help more with this -- my fiance is a lawyer but he won't be barred in CA until this summer so he doesn't know much about this yet. But I would also be interested in hearing any answers to this as we are currently looking at a place with a month-to-month lease and wondering what kind of problems to expect. Good luck with your landlord!

[Cubancoffee]

It's my understanding that for property that falls under rent control, the rent can be raised no more than 5% in a 12-month period. You don't say how much each of your increases were. If it was 3% in December and 2% in July, it might be legal. I really don't know what the specifics of the law are.

I do know that if you EVER had a lease, even if it has expired and you're now month-to-month, you and the landlord are still bound by the lease's terms. You might check out this website: lahd.lacity.org

[CESpeed]

Contact an attorney.

[jeffest]

Originally Posted by Cubancoffee

If it was 3% in December and 2% in July, it might be legal. I really don't know what the specifics of the law are.

That's a really good point. I don't remember what they tried to hit me with in July, but the one the new owners gave me a month ago looked to be about a 3% increase. I wonder, if I challenged them to show me a copy of the July increase, or really some proof that I was ever given an increase, what would happen if they couldn't produce it? These are new people so it may just be something that was carried over on the books only.

[SandyCo]

If you live in the City of Los Angeles, they can only raise your rent once a year unless you bring another adult in to live with you, etc., which would change the terms of the original agreement.

[rentcontrol]

If you guys have questions contact the Los Angeles Housing Department Home they are great in answering your questions and quick to make a move.

Rent control is needed because on average most of us do not see a yearly raise, then you have the cost of living going up yearly.

Top 20 affordable housing, Los Angeles, Share of homes afforable for median income ranks at 6.2%, bottom of the list - Cost of Living

For the person who said they should be able to rent a lexus for $100.00 a month... you buy property it increases in value with time (except if you bought from 2005 - current) You buy a car and the moment you drive off the lot you lost 10K and your car keeps dropping and a car is NEVER a good investment. So ride the bus and you can pay less then $100 a month.

[xyzxyz]

That's why everyone better get out and vote NO on Proposition 98. Prop 98, if it passes, will abolish rent control ...so VOTE!

Your rent can only be raised once a year. Your landlord is governed by whatever area you live in. If they raise the rent 3% for the year, that is the most they raise it in one year. To break it up, like 1% in December and then 2% in July doesn't make sense.

It sounds to me like your new owners had no idea the old owner already imposed a rent increase within the year.

[Ultrarunner]

Originally Posted by xyzxyz

That's why everyone better get out and vote NO on Proposition 98. Prop 98, if it passes, will abolish rent control ...so VOTE!

Local Rent Control ordinances restricting rent increases remain in force under Prop 98 as long as a tenant remains in the Rent Controlled unit.

[Mrzipityduda]

They cant legally do it...all the above are great responses