All Forum Posts by: John Moore

@Kyle J. Well that rains on my parade. Your assumptions are correct the tenant has been here quite a while. I’ll call this part of the learning curve with tricky CA laws. So 8.34% total over a 12 month period with rent. I assume that’s total increase and I cannot raise base rent 8.34% and add utilities to the rent?

@Jake Weir Since I owner occupy I do not fall into rent control. The only current stipulation seems to be this state of emergency.

Hello all. Recently I acquired my first duplex house hack here in Sacramento, CA. My current tenant was paying way below market rent, but do to the state of emergency I’m only able to raise rent %10. Now the previous lease agreement was at $950 per month with utilities paid by landlord. My question is if I can legally raise rent 10% to $1,045 but also include a utilities charge on the new lease agreement? Or would the utilities be included in the 10% making me only legally able to raise rent to $1,045 and pay utilities myself? I appreciate any insight. Thank you.

@Ian Salinas

I’m currently in a similar situation as you with a 8+ year tenant occupying the duplex I’m in contract with. I opted to request repairs for kitchen and bathroom flooring. The kitchen flooring needs to be replaced due to the laminate being torn up so might as well match the bathroom. This shows some good faith from the get go. Your choice will depend on your end game, but I’m opting to slowly raise rent to market rate (within our CA law) as I prefer to keep the tenant and not deal with turnover if I can avoid it.