San Francisco Landlord Skirts Rent Control Laws, Doubles Family's Rent
A San Francisco family, Ashley and Zach Waldman, faced a nearly doubled rent increase from $3,695 to $7,000 per month after their building was purchased by a new owner, Hans Geiszler. This significant hike forced the family, who had lived in their Outer Richmond District home for five years, to move out of the city where they both grew up. The situation highlights perceived loopholes in San Francisco's rent control ordinances and California's Tenant Protection Act of 2019. The Waldmans' unit, built in 1996, is exempt from San Francisco's 1979 rent-control ordinance, which only covers buildings constructed before that year. Furthermore, while the state's Tenant Protection Act limits rent increases to 5% plus the local cost-of-living increase (or 10%, whichever is lower) for buildings over 15 years old, it exempts most single-family homes and condos. Geiszler, who purchased all 10 condos in the building through a single-owner LLC, claims exemption from state laws, allowing him to raise rents without limits. 
