oh, and happy, happy friday.
truth be told, it’s not all that happy a friday for me and i’m in need of some magic. you see, just as i have painted the house and made it look all spiffy from the outside, realtors started clamoring to list the property. and so, my landlady has decided to put the house on the market this week and sell it for a whopping $950k. as you might imagine, that is waaaaay outta my league, so i’ll have to move.
i have until it sells, and the new owners in all likelihood will raise the rent so high i’ll be unable to afford it and be forced to leave. it’s a new phenomenon in san francisco — houses are going for way over asking price, into the millions. so, anyhow, i’m asking for your help. the rental market in san francisco is bleak, so should you know of any places for rent (that will also take my dog lucy), i’d be most appreciative. any leads at all. i’m a great tenant if i do say so myself. i always leave a place better than i found it, and have impeccable referrals. please just keep it mind. thanks guys, and back to regular scheduled posts next week – i’ve got some rad home tours coming up! have a great weekend.
• photo by *cinnamon.
Aw no!! Happy weekend anyway…
Val
http://valentinaduracinsky.blogspot.com/
SO sorry to hear. I have a few sources in SF. Will keep the ears open. Do you have a price range?
well, ideally under $2800 (gulp).
Sending out the feelers. Just remember: you deserve the best. There is a lonely space out there waiting for your personal touch. Eyes open, chin up.
I wish there were something I could do to help, K1. I love you. xxx
thank you, K2. i appreciate the sentiment. xo
That sucks – the same thing’s been happening here in Auckland too. I’m sure you’ll find somewhere even more amazing though!
sorry to hear that, courtney. and thank you – i hope so!
Hey Victoria – I have been booted out of rental properties I loved twice for te exact same reason but you know I have always found that some other amazing places inevitably come up. Think of this as a great opportunity to clean out the clutter, redecorate a new place and find a new neighborhood for Lucy to enjoy a different walking route :) hope you find that next someplace cool soon.
thanks rach. that’s pretty much how i’m looking at it. time to get minimalist. :) thank you!
oh no!! $2800 is so much as it is! when we left our brownstone in brooklyn, our landlord raised the rent $1300! it’s appalling. here is hoping that you can stay in your place for a while longer and leisurely find a new home for you and lucy!!
i know! i’m paying less than that now, but as i look around rents are insane. half the size, no yard or garage. lucy is gonna be pissed when she doesn’t have a yard. makes me feel terrible. thank you, elizabeth!
Unless it is going to be owner occupied- or occupied by a family member- they can’t kick you out. And under SF renter’s rights- I don’t think they can just raise your rent!?!? I’d look into it. Four months ago we left our fabulous 1-bed SF apt, and they raised the rent by over 25%. But it was still well under your budget and near Pac Heights. Good luck!
Just looked it up- they can’t raise your rent (except by 3% per rent control!)
http://www.sftu.org/sale.html
Ya, that’s what I was thinking too. Owner move-in however, they can kick you out… and most likely the buyers would at least pose that scenario, because your (lower) rent wouldn’t cover the mortgage.
Sorry to hear this, Victoria, but no doubt you’ll land somewhere lovely! And just think of the blog posts it’ll inspire! :p
Karen is right, the new owner will be bound by the renters law and cannot raise your rent by more than 3%. My building sold a few years ago and I was faced with a similar situation — skyrocketing rents and the need to find a place that will take a dog which is harder than you would think here in SF, especially now when demand is so high. The law is on your side in this one, VIctoria. If you move out, then the new owners can raise the rent as much as they want, but as you are an existing tenant they are bound by the 3% rule.
My new landlords raised the rent as soon as they could, but only by 3%. They can only do this on the anniversary of your lease signing each year. As soon as two of the tenants in my building moved out you can be sure the new owners raised the rent by 25% for the new people that move in. I am sure they hate that myself and one other are paying less due to rent control (they have actually complained about this to me), but it is the law. And, being as this is SF, I am still paying an outrageous amount of rent!
Good luck, Victoria. I hope the new owners turn out to be nice and that all goes well! It is a jungle out there!!!!!!!
I just went through something similar – our landlord evicted us out to renovate our unit. I know how crazy the SF rental market is right now. Before you give up on your current place check out the resources on the SF Rent Board to figure out your rights as a tenant. I’m pretty sure if the new owners decide to rent the apartment you can ask for the first right of refusal and they can then only charge the rent controlled rent for the first five years. Good luck!
SF Rent Board Website: http://www.sfrb.org/index.aspx?page=966
“Upon written request to the landlord, the displaced tenant has the right of first refusal if the unit is put back on the rental market within 10 years of the effective date of withdrawal – the landlord can charge only the rent-controlled rent within the first five years, but can charge market rent during the next five years.”
Unfortunately, sf rent control laws don’t apply to rented single family homes.
exactly, chantie is correct. i live in a single family dwelling, so the new owners can ask anything they like. if it’s under 10% increase i have 30 days to move; if it’s 10% or more over i have 60 days.
i’ve been talking with the tenant’s union. but thank you all for your help.
Bummer. Sorry. Thought I was helping. I had no idea bout SFH. Good luck. When all hope is almost lost- You will find something fabulous. And yes, see if they will buy you out!
I’m sorry to be correct but have had a couple close friends go through this. There was also an article in the sf chron about this same thing earlier this week. Hugs and vibes and I hope you find somewhere fabulous to live.
Well that sucks, Victoria. And you got your place looking so beautiful!
I’m about to move to Sydney and it’s the same thing there with rentals. I’m dreading having to find a place that will fit our budget and be up to my standards to live in!
Good luck with it xo
Victoria,
When I saw this I became FURIOUS for you. I am so sorry that your landlord using your fabulous ability to make a house a home both against you and for her own profit. I hope you find someplace that is awesome and suits all your needs.
Victoria,
Before you do anything, at least wait until they offer you a buyout. I have had several friends receive pretty significant buyouts due to either upcoming or recent sales.
What neighborhoods are you considering?
i’m trying to see if that happens, but they may not need to since there are already interested brokers. ugh.
i’d love to stay in the noe/mission/castro area.
Victoria,
It doesn’t matter that there are brokers interested in representing buyers. The truth is, a vacant property is much easier to sell and will attract a larger buyer pool. There is usually a discount associated with buying an occupied property.
I can imagine how challenging it can be looking for housing in SF is with the crazy rental market. I wish you the best of luck!
Victoria, I have been involved in two buyouts for 4 + unit places but I do have a good lawyer for the most current one. I am sure he will talk to you if you wish.
Wow, that is a frickin’ shame..
It’s greed when it comes to selling and gouging when it comes to renting…pure and simple.
I can say I have also had the sincere displeasure of having to leave a rental AFTER I’ve invested equal parts $$$ and sweat equity.. so sorry to hear that!
I don’t know many folks with rentals in the city.. but will def. put the word out.
Maybe you can offer your new landlord some kind of lowered rent in exchange for acting as a decorator.. use your SFGirlbybay success .. all those beautiful posts you do..you’ve got the blog and the taste to match , girlfriend.. not to mention the references :)
thanks angela. that’s a nice idea – maybe i can try that. unfortunately, a lot of renters don’t really understand my bogger ‘job’ either, and so that bit becomes a challenge, too.
I love this idea. Frankly if I were your landlord I would be THRILLED to have you doing such wonderful PR work for my property. Best of luck to you, and anxious to hear how it works out for you and Lucy.
Such a bummer. Your story is so familiar. After 12 years of living in SF we moved north to Portland 7 years ago and bought a home. Best thing we ever did. Good luck.
i can’t believe your landlord decided to sell, and so soon after the home was repainted. it’s too ironic. so sorry about the news, victoria!
yes, not ideal, is it? thanks, katrina!
Oh wow. You might want to contact the SF Rent Board just to find out what your rights are. It never hurts to be informed.
yes, i’ve been in contact with them – thanks!
While our prices aren’t that high (yet), a similar phenomena is happening here in Austin, likely due to the high influx of Californians who are able to sell their houses for so much and buy ones with cash here. They typically don’t even keep the house, just scrape it and build a new one. That doesn’t scare me nearly as much as the impending water shortage that is coming with them. Good luck to you trying to find a new affordable place to live!
I also think it’s a jip that they do this, now. I live in SF during Dot Com bust. I can’t believe housing is like that when we are far from out of the recession. Any connection with the Chronicle home section? I lived on Potrero Hill which, was heaven back then.
I used to ride around the neighborhoods I wanted to live in and check out the cafe boards in those hoods. Ask the Baristas. Make up some little cards you can leave with bartenders and waiters in the area you want to be in.
What about The Mission dist.?
Your karma will help you to a better place, Victoria!!
GOOD LUCK!!
I think the Chronicle article was harmful, yes. Thanks for all these tips! Good ideas!
I’m hoping to be near the mission/noe/castro. :)
Oh boo. I’m sure something will shake out. Gotta say when I left SF to Oakland I thought I’d cry myself to sleep for the rest of my days. I now love it, warmer, more space, yard with veggies and room for the pup:-)
It’s a hard sell I know. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that the perfect thing will be revealed.
Sucks – sorry to hear really! Hopefully you’ll get lucky and find another great place – fingers crossed. Try to enjoy the weekend :)
Oh no! Sending “happy new home” vibes your way!
Oh, damn. I’m so sorry this happened. I don’t know of any leads but I wish you the best of luck with this and I hope you find a lovely new place.
So sorry this is happening to you, Victoria! I’m hoping you and Lucy find a lovely (and affordable) place really soon.
Thanks everyone so much for all the positive thoughts and ideas. I really appreciate it! You guys really make it feel like it will be okay. xo
I’d hang in there for a bit as frustrating as it may be, at the very least I’m pretty sure the landlord has to pay moving expenses. Me and my two roomates each got $1000 plus our security deposit when this happened to us. Also, while the market is rough there are some pretty rad landlords still out there who I’m sure would love someone who wants to turn their unit into a true home. There were several offers on our place which we got just a moth ago in the neighborhood you described but our landlord ultimately wanted people who appreciated the building and the work they’d put in.
I think you get two months Victoria, as long as you have been there over a year. They don’t always put it out there in writing. Ask an expert who can help you until you find what you need. They can’t kick you out. What a complicated/hellacious situation. Never fun when you get any kind of notice. I am such a homebody, and any disruption of this sort is not good in my book. I have been in that predicament numerous times. I have been looking for my husband and I lately, and I know the situation out there is bleak, but there is a God in these situations!! Maybe if 3 people could invest money together you/we could all buy into a 3 story Victorian/triplex! That would be my dream scenario, maybe one day…
That sucks sucks sucks. This city has gotten waaay expensive, hasn’t it? You’ll find something. Maybe it’s all happening for a reason as lame as that sounds. When I was looking two years ago I couldn’t find a thing. Almost signed a lease on a space that I didn’t like, much higher than I wanted to spend, etc. And then, the last day of my lease, I found my spot and it was the most perfect, dreamy apartment I’ve ever had. It’ll come. And when it does it’ll be awesome. Good luck. I’ll keep my ears open for leads.
This sucks shit Victoria!
I have an idea! Why don’t you hold a contest that says,
“Biggest Taste maker in San Fran will style your Rad Pad in 1 year”. Make it into an art project. There has got to be a builder/realtor/investor in SanFran that would PAY for your loving touch. You shouldn’t pay rent — they pay YOU for transforming their home in a year and making it famous in the process. Then take that saved coin from not paying rent for a year and buy your own piece of heaven. Good luck. Your an enterprising gal — you’ll get something great!
Hugs. Bianca
I like they way you think and it’s a really nice idea, but I honestly don’t think rental properties care at all. They have us over a barrel here in SF and don’t care about make a place cute. At least not in my experience. They want to do the least amount of repairs, paint etc. because they can already get a ton of money for a not so great place.
Thanks Bianca.
Victoria,
If you get a new owner they cannot raise your rent if you are under rent control more than what is allowed. Basically a new owner “walks” into the shoes of the current owner. Now if the new owner wants to move in, that may be a valid reason to evict you but they can only move in if they don’t have another primary resident. Also don’t be so quick to leave because if you were to be evicted the landlord has to pay you to move out. Depending on the number of years you have lived there, it could amount to quite abit.
Gina
Oh, Victoria–I wish I could offer more than just my sympathy. What a shock and upset to your lovely life. I wish you all the best in finding a new home; anyone would be very lucky to have you as their tenant. Sending lucky vibes your way xoxo
Eep! What bad timing. :(
I like Bianca’s idea that you make a future out of making other peoples spaces liveable while making it feasible somehow for yourself. But maybe that is just another way of saying you are a designer, which I believe you are, and doing all that grunt work so you have to leave it, is really hard. I am a a professional organizer and have moved the elderly out of their homes and into retirement communities numerous x’s. I often have worked with stagers on deadlines. Maybe there is some kind of business ready to be created that can be tapped into that would combine a multitude of services. (Yours/mine for extra income?) ;-) On another note if you feel your creative eye has been a detriment because you have made this property sing, I would document everything you have done and ask for moving expenses for those reasons alone. Take anything that is attached to the house off, if it is yours immediately. Anything attached to the house by screws is considered belonging to the house. I once had a landlord say I owed him my alarm system I had installed. I said get lost and took it with me… There is another beautiful space with your name on it, just dying for you to love it. e-mail me if you need help getting out/moving.
I will be indeed taking every single thing I’ve installed – all my lighting fixtures – the fire place mantel, all of it! :)
I didn’t read all of the other posts, so sorry if this is repeat info. if your rental was built before 1979 and you have been there over a year they will have to pay you about $5500. you can find out more by searching rent stabilization San francisco. good luck!
How horrible! We are traveling to a new town every 3-6 months with my husband’s job and we’ve just gotten our first taste of the California housing market. Insane! We thought being out in the desert ( Joshua Tree ) it might not be so bad, but it’s been a challenge finding affordable temporary housing. Good luck with your search! Whatever home you find will be made beautiful with your touch!
Thanks for all the advice everyone. I’ve spoken to the Tenant’s Union, and sadly the rules for a Single Family Home are different than an Apartment building. They can raise the rent upon moving in and if it’s under 10% I have 30 days to move if I can’t pay it; if it’s over 10% I have 60 days to move out if I can’t pay it. So, either way, I’m sure if they are buying a million dollar house, they will raise it above the 10% to as much as they like and force me out. However, they might like to move in right away, and pay me to leave. We shall see.
In the meantime, I’m still looking, because I hate living in limbo. Thanks again everyone!! xo
Oh, crap, and merde, and crap again! This is so bad news and I am so sorry to read this. I am sure there’s something out there, something great awaiting to happen to you {and Lucy} but you need to go through this tough moment to get to the better place. I’ll ask my other half to use his connections in the bay area, and if they hear or spot anything in the area you’re searching, I’ll pass the info back to you. Wishing you all the best Victoria!
thanks si! i owe you an email and am totally interested in collaborating. just was out of town and then distracted by makeshift and then this!
Victoria, you might want to give consideration to moving to the Sonoma Wine Country where I live. Healdsburg is an especially nice little hub, and you can be in the City in a flash when you want : = )
i live in portland and our rental and home prices have skyrocketed in the last decade+. when i was 16 my mother bought a cute little ranch house for 24,000 it was on the market for two years before she sold it for 34,000. not long ago i drove by it to see it for sale (im 36 now); it was selling for 279,000! and it had the same pink carpet and gold fireplace my mom “updated” it with – nothing had changed! sometimes when i do the math – home inflation with salary increases, these numbers really frustrate me, but then i think about San Fran and i feel a little bit better : ) but those San Fran houses are gorgeous!! good luck!!! xx
Victoria, I’m so sorry to hear this! A similar thing happened to us up here in Boston. After looking for new apartments, we quickly discovered that we’re completely priced out of living here and are moving to a new, more affordable city at the end of the month. The process has been devastating but we’re starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Sometimes being forced into new beginnings can be a good thing. Best of luck to you!! xo
Renting sucks for many reasons. Have a good cry about it but past that don’t spend a minute letting it get you down. I know it may seem weird, but Oakland is not hell with the lid off. In fact, a quick search led me to this charming property in East O. Still by the bay, still near SF, with lots of room for your lovely Lucy. Wishing you luck in finding a new nest and new, happy adventures.
Love, Julie
a former Bay Area renter who moved to another cool, but infinitely more affordable, city on three rivers
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/apa/3259384684.html
thanks julie. i’ve been looking over there, too, but not many listings at all. that’s super cute! thanks!
here’s the sfgate article that explains my tenants rights (or lack thereof) in a single family dwelling. had no idea when i moved in.
http://www.sfgate.com/realestate/article/Renters-get-boot-with-big-rate-hike-3835648.php?cmpid=twitter
Wow, that really sucks! I’m sorry to hear that is happening to you. Doesn’t seem fair! My brother and sister-in-law are trying to get back to SF from Chicago, and that is one of their biggest hurdles, too- the housing market/rent situation is crazy! Good luck to you! I’[m really enjoying your blog, btw!
~Lori
Oh no!!! It makes me feel terrible that this is happening to you. And it sounds a little greedy to me as well, considering the landlord most likely wouldn’t have been able to price the property as high if you hadn’t put so much effort into making it beautiful. I love California so much, but unless you’re swimming in $$, it’s hard not to feel you’re on a financial hamster wheel going nowhere. I finally gave up this summer after looking at houses in the Bay Area for years and moved my brood to Sweden. I miss California like crazy, but it’s such a relief not to have to deal with the shitty rental situation anymore. Wishing you the best of luck (and hoping one day soon you can buy your own house and tell those landlords to screw it). xo
Wish I could help you out but I’m a Melbourne girl!
It’s much the same down here though, real estate prices are amazingly high.
this is exactly why i live in, dare i say it, daly city. i am sure it will all work out in the end and think of all the new design possibilities. good luck.
Victoria, I am so sorry to hear this. I am a Victoria from San Francisco too (currently living in Brooklyn), and it’s been saddening to see some of the changes to both cities over the past few years as far as affordable options for renters. Though this is my first time commenting, I have been reading your blog for some time and your “Orange Crush” print has been a bright spot of SF on my wall in moments when I really miss home. I hope everything works out quickly and smoothly for you, either in your current place or in a new and exciting location that will be worthy of you and Lucy and your vibrant, thoughtful and fantastic design sense!
My sympathies. The exact same thing happened to me, here in Melbourne, Australia, a few months ago. I had planted nice things in the garden, and had been sprucing up the place for seven years… and then the owners put the house up for sale for a billion times what I could afford.
After having moved three weeks ago, it all feels like a bad dream. It took nearly six months to find a new place, but the upside was houses here are pretty unaffordable right now so our old place took a really long time to sell.
Good luck. Once again, I sympathise!
That totally sucks! I hope you find somewhere to live! Sending prayers your way!
Ugh! this makes me sick to my stomach, knowing that you put so much work into that beautiful house of yours and now the owner is the reaping the benefits! That just doesn’t sound right…
I will of course keep my feelers out!
I know this sounds totally weird, but I had a fried who put an ad in Craig’s List and ended up with the most amazing house EVER!
I’ll of course keep my feelers out and ask around for you! And if all else fails, I gotta say, I love living in Alameda! It’s just a foggy ferry ride away from your city. Bu t at the same time, you ARE SF Girl By Bay, now Oakland Girl By Bay! Tee hee!
I know there is something perfect for you–hopefully you’ll be toasting the New Year in a fabulous pad that blows the doors of your old place!
Sending you good house hunting vibes!
xo,
- Dotie
thank you sweet dottie! i so appreciate your good vibes!! hopefully i’ll still be SF girl, but i’m flexible if you guys are. :) xx
Ugh. So sorry! I will keep my ears and eyes peeled for you. Frustrating that it’s because you made the place look too great. :(
Hi there!
New fan…so sad that this crappy thing happened to you. I just found a pretty cool apartment. Here’s the listing:
http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/425-1st-St-UNIT-2508-San-Francisco-CA-94105/2117028854_zpid/
It’s furnished, but still…great views!
Love love love the blog!
xoxo
thank you eliza! i will check it out! and thanks for reading! :)
just sending you house / new dwelling luck!!!
am suddenly wondering, maybe you can get friendly with a broker / realtor and swap some staging for broker free – heads up on a new place?
fingers crossed!!
Oh dear, I’m late to this news. It breaks my heart when landlords seem to take timely advantage of a tenant’s hard work.
I may have a few leads albeit leads for later next year rather than in 30-60 days. email me and/or I am a happy, new member of the Makeshift Society who plans on attending the Final Friday mixer this month. Wishing you the best, Victoria!
thank you cynthia! see you at makeshift!