Posted by Christine Baker on November 04, 1997 at 17:06:00:
In Reply to: Rent increase posted by D. Lipken on October 31, 1997 at 16:55:04:
I have learned that it's NOT a good idea to give advice based on what people **THINK** they signed on leases and other contracts.
Here are a couple of comments anyway:
1) I don't think a rent increase beyond what has been agreed upon in the lease can be enforced with less that 30 day notice. As mentioned in other postings, check with the local housing department.
2) I find it hard to believe that you haven't noticed how incredibly tight the Peninsula rental market is. Seems to me like it's an ongoing subject on the news, in the papers, on the radio ... How could you miss that?
3) I don't see where your landlord lied to you. I doubt your lease says the rent will be $1,650 forever. You don't seem to understand the difference between a monthly rental and a lease for a specified period. I also doubt that your landlord gave you only one day to make a decision.
4) If you only want to stay a month or two, what's the big deal? If $180 substantially cut into your savings, you obviously don't have a lot of savings and you really should have considered your options prior to your landlord's rent increase notice.
All your % increases are based on the rent under your expired lease. However, you had agreed to pay $1,650. Your landlord is increasing the monthly from $1,650 to $1,830. That's about 11%. In my opinion, the percentage makes no difference anyway, only the market value is important. If comparable units in your area rent for $2,000, you'd be getting a great deal. If you can rent one for $1,600, rent that one.
Don't blame your landlord for your dilemma. Have you tried discussing this with your landlord?
Have you requested a raise lately? Most people I know have been getting pay increases in excess of 10% this last year. Take your rent increase notice to your boss, and if you can't get a raise, start looking .... The job market is as tight as the rental market, which is why rents are up.
And to all the other tenants out there:
Sticking your head in the sand when your lease is about to expire will NOT prevent the rent increase notice.
The "standard" advice would be to have your lease reviewed by an attorney. My real life advice is: Contact your City/County Housing Dept. for help on understanding lease terms. If they can't help, and since you probably don't have an attorney and you don't want to pay $200 an hour, at least have a friend who's used to reading contracts go through the lease with you.
After 7 years of not being able to sell without a loss and experiencing negative cash flow, you can expect rent increases by many owners as well as for sale signs in your front yard.
That's why some people BUY and get a fixed rate even though initially they pay much more than if they keep on renting.
If you've always paid your rent on time and you haven't been a pest, try negotiating.
Good luck,
Christine