Rent Control question in Oakland, CA

[Justin Mancherje]

I have been reading up a lot about rent control and just cause eviction in Oakland and I am trying to verify information I have gathered.

I am contemplating purchasing a triplex in Oakland California. It currently has 2 units occupied and 1 unit unoccupied. The units are currently protected under rent control and the rent is far below market value and without an increase the property will not be financially viable. I read this on a site about just cause eviction: "People who live in single-family homes, units built since 1983, and owner-occupied buildings with 3 or fewer units are NOT covered by rent control. If you live in one of these types of units, your landlord can raise your rent at any time."

If I purchase the triplex and move into the unoccupied unit the property will then be owner occupied. Will it effectively remove the rent control on the other units? Or does this rule only apply to new tenants?