All Forum Posts by: Eric Chang

I own a duplex in Oakland and I want to do a seismic retrofit which will involve disturbing two rooms (opening up drywall in two rooms, installing shear wall and anchor bolts). Lets assume worst case scenario that the tenants cannot live in their room for 2 weeks while repairs are being done. Can the tenants of the two rooms file for loss of service or something much worst such as sue me? 

Thanks in advance for the help!

Thanks for the advice @Calvin Kwan and @Thomas S. I am using a property manager so not sure if that counts as collecting rent from her directly? Not sure if she has mail going to her or not. The estoppel doesn't have any clauses that state no sublets but the original lease does . 

@Thomas S. Agreed on your advice to learn the codes, let me know if you have any suggestions. 

I purchased a rental income duplex in Oakland September 2017. In one of the units, the final tenant on the written lease is moving out. However, there is one other person, Sara, who has been living in the unit since March 2017 and paying rent, however she is not on the lease. When we purchased the property we requested an estoppel. The estoppel form was filled out by the tenant and Sara, however neither the previous owner or myself signed the form, which makes me think its not legally binding. 

I'd like to remodel the unit, start with a new set of tenants, and raise the rent given that Sara's plan is to find two new roommates which would just delay my plans. My property manager says Sara may attempt to stay and it could become a bigger issue. They could try to make the case that they are tenants one way or another and given this is under Oakland measure EE, this could turn into a pricey time consuming process and result in an eviction.

I'm looking for advice on if anyone else has dealt with a similar experience. Please help! 

Thanks @Calvin Kwan and @Taylor Ferris! 

The lease says "Tenant will not assign this agreement or sublet any portion of the premises without prior written consent of the owner, any additional tenant over 4 occupying the unit shall pay an additional $250 / month"

I spoke to the previous management company and they advised not adding everyone on the lease, I can ask what they think about using addendum. Do you all think its worth getting the original property manager for the first year (5% of rent) to get the leases sorted and to help coordinate repairs as I take over the place?

Thanks @Calvin Kwan, super helpful! My concern is this scenario:

Tenant 1, leaves, so they find another friend to take his place to make rent, lets call them Tenant X . 

Now I still have Tenant 2 & 3 on the lease, and will have to add Tenant X to the lease. This rolling list of tenants continues for a many years. What are the chances that ALL of the tenants decide to leave at once ? What is the best setup so I can eventually get market rent?

Hi BP Community ! I am a first time landlord and bought a duplex in Oakland. Each unit already has 3-4 tenants in there, some on the existing lease and some not. There is one long term tenant who subleases to other friends etc. Each unit is generating ~$2500 in rent a month so close to market rate, but I think I could get $3000 a month.  I will aim to increase by the 2.3% each year, but want to think long term. 

So my questions are as follows: 

1. When will I be able to raise the rent, when all original tenants move out?
2. What happens when I buy the property in regards to the existing lease, can I change anything about it if they are month to month?
3. As I take over the lease and the tenants, what is the best strategy to ensure that I will be able to get to market? Should I have all existing tenants sign the lease or just have one of the longer tenants sign in hopes they move out and I can start with a clean slate?
4. What are the pros / cons of letting tenants sublease?

Thanks in advance!

Eric