Landlords Rent Increase Dispute

Summary

The user, a tenant in Hayward, California, is facing a significant rent increase from $2,500 to $4,200. The landlord wants her to sign a new month-to-month lease and find a new tenant for an in-law unit. The landlord has given a short notice period for the rent increase and the user is unsure about the legality of the situation. The user has sought help from the court and the Alameda County Bar Association but was told that the law doesnt apply to her landlord as he owns a single residential house. The user is also concerned about the division of utilities as per the new lease agreement.

Full Conversation

renters landlord wants new contract and rent increase almost *% and if I don’t agree I need to vacate July *
What state are you located in, Claudia? Different states have different laws regarding rent increases and eviction notices.
california
What city in California are you located in, Claudia? This will help me provide more specific information about local rent control laws.
hayward
In Hayward, California:

- Landlords can increase rent by any amount, but must give a *-day notice for increases over *%.
- Hayward Hall of Justice: * Amador St, Hayward, CA *, (*) *-*.
Court wasn’t able to help me yesterday
I'm sorry to hear that. Can you please tell me what happened at the court?
the house is a single residence and owned per one person so the law doesn’t apply to him
What is the duration of your current lease agreement? In California, landlords can increase rent for month-to-month tenants with a *-day notice if the increase is less than *%.
lived in this house 11years
Is your lease agreement month-to-month or do you have a fixed-term lease?
month to month
In California, for month-to-month tenancies, landlords can increase rent with a *-day notice if the increase is less than *%. For increases over *%, a *-day notice is required.
I need to talk to someone I have * kids and can’t seem to find any one to help me
What specific help are you seeking? Are you looking for legal representation or assistance with finding a new place to live?
To go over the new month to month lease he wants me to sign and if is legal for him to increase it from $*,* to $*,*
What is the notice period your landlord has given for this rent increase? In California, a *-day notice is required for rent increases over *%.
it a letter from his attorney on Monday * that says I need to sign it and agree to the new month to month and rent increase by July * if I don’t sign it I need to vacate by July *
Did your landlord provide a reason for the rent increase? In California, a *-day notice is required for rent increases over *%.
he claims that that the rate for a house like this in the are (4room 2bath) but the main house has 2rooms and 1bath and he is considering the i law unit with seperate entrance as 2room and 1bath
Is the in-law unit included in your current lease agreement? In California, landlords can consider separate units as part of the property, but it should be specified in the lease.
yes he wants me to find a new person to rent it and I be responsible (landlord) but all the utilities are under my name so how is he going to divide that?
Has your landlord provided any guidelines on how utilities will be divided between you and the new tenant?
no
What does the new lease agreement say about the division of utilities?
nothing only reas “landlord understands that you need to rent the room to be able to pay rent and he agrees to someone who can stay there that qualifies”
What does your current lease agreement say about the division of utilities?
that I am responsible for all the bills since I rent the entire house including those rooms outside
What does the new lease agreement say about your responsibility for the bills of the entire house including the outside rooms?
that I am responsible to pay for all utilities
Does the new lease specify that you are responsible for the utilities of the new tenant in the in-law unit as well?
yes since they don’t have a separate meter
What does the new lease agreement say about the division of utilities between you and the new tenant in the in-law unit?
do you know where I can talk to an attorney? I have called everywhere in the city to get help
Have you tried contacting the Alameda County Bar Association? They offer a Lawyer Referral Service. Their contact number is (*) *-*.
yes I have
What was the response from the Alameda County Bar Association when you contacted them?
can’t help me since is a single owned home by one person the law doesn’t apply to him
What was the specific reason given by the Alameda County Bar Association for not being able to assist you?
the law doesn’t apply to him so he can increase the rent as much as he wants
What is the exact wording of the law they referred to that doesn't apply to your landlord?
Because is a single residential house and owned by one person
What is the exact wording of the new lease agreement regarding the division of utilities between you and the new tenant in the in-law unit?
Thank you for your help I already told you
What is the exact wording of the law they referred to that doesn't apply to your landlord?
is a single home owned by one person is exempt from any laws
What is the exact wording of the law they referred to that doesn't apply to your landlord?