Rent-Controlled Apartment Definition
The rent control concept dates back to the World War I era and grew to include 200 municipalities and near 20% of their U.S. population from the middle of the 1980s. Many San Francisco apartments have rent control, meaning landlords may only increase rental prices on an annual basis based on an inflation chart called the Bay Area Consumer Price Index.
Administration
In San Francisco, the SF Rent Board administers the rent control program under Chapter 37 of the San Francisco Administrative Code. Landlords pay a $29 per unit fee (as of August, 2010) for program involvement, of which 50 percent may have billed to the renter or deducted from his security deposit annually.
Rent Control Exceptions
The rent control legislation in San Francisco excludes new building, defined as constructions built in June 1979 or later; subsidized housing projects such as HUD; dormitories; clergy housing such as monasteries and convents; and residential resorts in which continuous tenancy lasts 28 days or less.
Petitions for Boost in Rent
A landlord may petition the Rent Board for an increase in rent up to 7 percent for documented, justified working or maintenance expenses, or up to 10 percent for capital improvements. These kind of enhancements exclude essential repairs and include things such as the replacement of appliances, roofing, windows and exterior enhancements such as repainting and landscape work.
Petitions for Reduce in Rent
Tenants in rent-controlled apartments may file a petition with the Rent Board when a landlord does not maintain the device in habitable and secure condition or if she ceases to include needed amenities or services, or those formerly agreed upon by the landlord and tenant–as an instance, parking space, laundry facilities or a storage area.
Just Cause Eviction
Tenants at a rent-controlled apartment can get evicted under among the app’s 15 just causes. Eviction cannot occur for the purposes of raising rent. Just causes include nonpayment of rent, routinely late or bounced lease obligations, an uncorrected documented rental violation, nuisance or damage to apparatus, prohibited usage of apparatus, failure to formally renew an expired lease or to sell the unit for a condominium. A landlord could evict remaining sublettors when the lessee has vacated the flat. A landlord should pay a $4,700 transfer fee, and an additional $3,100 (as of August 2010) to households, handicapped or elderly tenants should the landlord strategy to move tenants so he or a near relative can occupy the area for 36 consecutive months or more, demolish the unit or execute a substantial renovation or capital improvements.