how much can a landlord raise the rent (Los Angeles, San Francisco: apartment, renters)

[rgarcia31]

My landlord just sent me a notice advising that the rent will be going up two hundred dollars more a month. The apartment is not rent control and she only gave me a 30-days notice. Is this right?

[johnrex62]

You are really asking two different questions.

1. Can they? Yes, unless it is rent controlled they can raise to whatever they feel they can get away with.

2. Is it right? Do you feel you have a moral obligation to use your car to provide transportation to anyone who needs it? I think not, because you purchased it with the intention of personal use. Let's say you bought it with the intention of running a taxi service. Should you be forced to accept whatever fare your customer feels is proper, or should you be allowed to charge what you feel is fair compensation (whatever that may be)?

I don't think anyone has a moral obligation to accept anything less than fair market value for a rental property. I think it shows poor mgt skills if they have to raise the rent that much at a time to stay in alignment with the competitive market. I don't see it as immoral, which is how I interpret your question if it is right.

You didn't ask, but it seems implied that you feel the 30 day notice was too short, if your lease is a month to month that is all that is required. If you have a longer lease, check the lease terms and see if the notification clause has been violated. I will guess it has not.

[twokidznadog]

My mom is a senior and lives in San Francisco. Her rent is going from $1500 a month to $1750 starting in March when her lease is due for renewal. I thought rent can be raise only 4%. Is the amount the landlord adding on legal?

[Ultrarunner]

It's free market... just like going to the local mall... unless there is a rent control ordinance.

With Rent Control the owner needs to follow the approved formulae(s) to increase rent.

Some Rent Control allow the rent increase to be banked... for use at a later date... Some put an annual cap and others have provisions for capital expenditure recovery with Rent Board Approval.

[SandyCo]

In California, the rent can only be increased 10% in a 12-month period without needing a 60-day notice. If the rent is only going up 10%, 30 days' notice is sufficient. If the rent is going up more than 10%, then 60 days' notice is needed.

Example:

After you've lived in your apartment three months, the landlord decides to raise the rent 5% with 30 days' notice. After another three months, he/she raises it another 5% with 30 days' notice. Those increases are completely legal. If the rent is raised again, though, before a year has gone by since the first increase, that increase requires a 60 day notice.

So if that $200 is more than a 10% increase in the rent you're now paying, the 30 days notice is illegal; 60 days notice is legal.

[Ultrarunner]

Sandy is correct and my oversight for omitting the notice requirement...

This link will take you to the California Department of Consumer Affairs page that addresses rent increases...

California Tenants - California Department of Consumer Affairs

[Woof Woof Woof!]

Originally Posted by twokidznadog

My mom is a senior and lives in San Francisco. Her rent is going from $1500 a month to $1750 starting in March when her lease is due for renewal. I thought rent can be raise only 4%. Is the amount the landlord adding on legal?

I think the laws vary by city, but that sounds like a lot. Is her landlord nuts? People are lowering rents right now, not raising them.

[SandyCo]

San Francisco has rent control. According to their website, the maximum rent increase is 2.2% (between 3/1/09 and 2/28/10. Your mom's rent is going up 14%! Are you sure she actually lives in the City of San Francisco?

San Francisco Rent Board (http://www.sfgov.org/site/rentboard_index.asp - broken link)

Originally Posted by twokidznadog

My mom is a senior and lives in San Francisco. Her rent is going from $1500 a month to $1750 starting in March when her lease is due for renewal. I thought rent can be raise only 4%. Is the amount the landlord adding on legal?

[bellalunatic]

Originally Posted by twokidznadog

My mom is a senior and lives in San Francisco. Her rent is going from $1500 a month to $1750 starting in March when her lease is due for renewal. I thought rent can be raise only 4%. Is the amount the landlord adding on legal?

That rent increase is way out of whack!

see:

San Francisco Tenants Union: Tenants and Renters Rights

Tenant Rights, Laws and Protections: California

California Tenants Rights


and hopefully her landlord is not this jerk:

BeyondChron: San Francisco's Alternative Online Daily News » San Francisco Judges Nullify Tenants Rights

[MajJGrant95051]

I appreciate all the great info and insight on rent increases. The problem i have is my apartment building and the one next door were once two separate locations owned by private individuals, recently bought out by a corporation, making the two buildings one property. After about 4 months, the resident manager decided to raise the rent by over 25%, 1275 to 1700 a month.

Is this legal? how can I find out if these buildings are a rent controlled area? The name of the corporation is VILLAGE I but I can't find any information on them on the internet other than I've been told they are based in Los Angeles. No other information and the resident manger refuses to provide the information.

Any suggestions and insight would be greatly appreciated.

Jeff