'It's Retaliatory': Elderly SF Couple Fights Eviction from Rent Controlled Apartment of 40 Years

After contesting decades of allegedly illegal rent increases at the apartment they’ve occupied since 1984, Ben and Cathi Wong say their landlords are invoking the Ellis Act to kick them out. Hilda Gutierrez reports.
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[@darnelllewis5984]

I wish them the very best!

[@33Jenesis]

I had rented 30 years a 1+1 in Los Feliz right by Observatory. Starting was $525. When I moved out 2 years ago I paid $850. My landlord raised me his 3% rent control increase only a handful of times. All the time I pretended I was paying market rent. Whatever the difference I saved up. I bought a retirement home 2 years ago with cash so I moved out and retired. I never bothered my landlord and stayed low profile. I am thankful for the rent control to enable me to save aggressively over the decades.

[@chatbud]

Do you think you would have saved more if you bought a property 10 years ago?

[@Cyndogg085]

That's what they should have done.

[@33Jenesis]

@@chatbud I was looking to buy in 2010 to 2011 but every property I submitted a bid I was outbid by someone. After 10+ properties I couldn’t go thru with falling in love with a place and having it dashed again. If I did buy a property, I would not be able to retire early because I would still be paying mortgage. I can’t stomach working full time for another 5/10 years. My current housing expense is about $1200 to $1500 a month including insurance and property tax (depending on utility usage). I also put aside $ for repair and replacement. It is about 30% of my retirement take home. I don’t need to touch savings unless the inflation makes my pension not enough to live on.

[@slc4226]

Congratulations! Unlike most of your fellow Americans (myself included), you are a good saver and financial planner!

[@paulbrungardt9823]

Parasite !

[@jamesm887]

Seeing how the landlord didn’t even fix the heat for years which is against the law, or leaking pipes which can cause mold and disease, it shows the landlord doesn’t care about anyone or anything in that house. This landlord should be in jail, sued, and pay huge to this couple even more so. I hope the Wongs get all the help they need and deserve. If l was rich, ld help them for sure, ld love them as tenants they seem like honest people too.

[@Zero11_ss]

And yet they didnt move.

[@wonhome2711]

James, with what little more you have, you should contribute a few dollars to help this couple move to a better place.

[@chrispnw2547]

Put yourself in the landlord's position for a moment. There is no magic money tree and fixing these things are not free. Any repair/maintenance costs have to be reflected in their rent payment. Otherwise the landlord is subsidizing the couple. His insurance and property taxes have increased (probably a lot) in the years they have rented and that cost has to be passed along (in-part) to the renters. The renters may appear to be honest but they are also shielding themselves from reality. San Francisco is a very expensive place to live and most people (like myself) don't live there anymore and have moved across the bay where it is more affordable. Private homes are very expensive to maintain and the landlord is not being subsidized by the government as a senior citizens home.

[@hoapres]

@@chrispnw2547 That's why the Landlord should use the Ellis Act and go out of business. Sell the building after you get the current tenants out.

[@sandyrodriguez2803]

If landlord were to be put in jail, so should the tenants for being part of the same problem you described. Of course, this would not happen as it is a civil case. Point being, both sides are to blame even though the report blamed it on just the landlord. Fact is tenants have even more rights than landlords.

[@spoutingfiction]

Would li w an update on this couple as things progress.

[@Mxyzptlksac]

It’s just greed, plain and simple. The landlord has already demonstrated an inability be honest and trustworthy. Makes you wonder how many other apartments they’ve illegally jacked up the rent for?

[@terrylee8333]

greed my ass . You must be a renter too .

[@erich8203]

The landlord has to pay the cost of living also. Property taxes sure go up!

[@Mxyzptlksac]

@@erich8203 so the landlord should violate the law? Interesting.

[@erich8203]

@@Mxyzptlksac you can't raise rent?

[@Mxyzptlksac]

@@erich8203 The San Francisco Rent Board sets the percentage by which landlords can raise the rents, up to a maximum of 7% per year. (In 2020, the increase was 1.8%.) Landlords cannot increase the rent (except by petition proving increased operating expenses). This applies to any building that was renting prior to June 1979. There are a lot of caveats and exceptions. Additionally if repairs aren’t done or if you lose a service you had ie when you pool was closed for indefinitely undetermined reasons you can petition the board to have your rent lowered accordingly.

[@hoapres]

If the landlord is going to do an ellis act eviction then they need to give 1 year notice along with paying a relocation fee.

[@d8bn]

...and pay them the original $90,000 they overcharged them over the years.

[@jerrymylove1754]

They shouldn’t have to do any of that. They don’t want them as tenants so they need to get the fudge out. They need to move to a cheaper place to live.

[@olgakim4848]

@@jerrymylove1754 You sound nice. NOT!

[@olecamohatmcgilicudy4256]

In Oregon and Washington the cops let them illegally evict, harrass, threaten, injure, harm, abuse and steal home and property from paying tenants.

[@hamsterdiving7593]

@@jerrymylove1754 But they *DO* have to do that. It's the law.

[@JB4C89]

These living conditions are terrible 😢

[@panchang810]

I really hope this wonderful elderly couple wina this battle. 😢❤

[@josephsea9377]

Zero maintenance for over a year now is the retaliation for complaining of "cockroaches" in my rented unit. Landlords always gets unaccountable for these offenses. There oughta be a Law. So sorry for this senior couple 😢 They deserve better.

[@JCC408]

Why don't you move on if it's so bad?

[@janjbowman]

It’s amazing what slum lords get away with

[@georgewagner7787]

You can get rid of roaches yourself. Boric acid.

[@eagledice2008]

America why do you do this to you seniors this is unheard of in other rich countries

[@datnohi8612]

It's ridiculous, America 🇺🇸 is all about money 💰 after these companies Zapp u of your youth and life they want you to disappear, they don't care how they have no use for you anymore, I wish this lovely couple best

[@gailreese4102]

Please follow-up on this story and let us know what happens! Thank you!

[@dhowto3005]

I am happy Mrs. Wong's life was saved.

[@rinathinksyourpoopyhead]

landlords need to lose their rights. why don't we protest this kind of stuff?

[@Data_Science_Weekly]

You would then have to compensate them for taking their property and now we are all taxed to oblivion

[@Santa-ny1yp]

This is of course only one side of the story. I can tell you at the current 500 dollars rent the landlord is losing money. Property taxes and insurance would cost more then that in SF.

[@xxjaime562xx]

What do you mean this is the only story that they've done on the tenant side the past like more than 20 mentions have been only have the landlord's complaining and protesting and not saying anything about people who are wrongfully being evicted. You're just pro scumlord.

[@chasingamurderer]

Still moral of the story is our economic status is unfair and manipulated to hurt ppl like them

[@malibujoe01]

Why is the landlord responsible for the tenant s life? The landlord is not the local government. How is this the landlord s responsibility? $500 rent is ridiculously low. California is an expensive place to live. The landlord has bills to pay as well and is not responsible for the current tax and cost of living situations 😮

[@x-men69-96]

Yeah, even $900 is not enough to pay property taxes, mortgage, trash, sewer, and management fee.

[@chasingamurderer]

@malibujoe01 you are why we fail. There has to be limits and caps in the economic situation. If you wantwd to buy a house today they screwed that up too. Nearly 7 percent interest. Why?

[@spaceburgers]

Rent control is unfair to young people

[@starcatcher3691]

Truth!

[@killpretty13]

I've know too many people pushed out of rent controlled apartments. To everyone saying why don't they just buy? Who cares. There are reasons you don't need to worry about. They liked their home and chose to stay for 40 years. That says a lot.

[@whatsnext2359]

It also says a lot that the landlord let them stay 40 years. They could've evicted them 30 years ago and charged much higher rent every time a new tenant moved in, which on average is every 3-5 years.

[@janetrogers4738]

Sadly it's not their home. They rent. The owners rent it. Please everyone while young live below your means and save and buy a home. Yes you still must pay taxes but once your home is paid for it's yours. After they rented so cheaply all those years I believe it's wrong to try and keep the owners from selling. Just my opinion. When people are good to me or give me a break I don't pay them back with court and make them regret being kind. Sounds vengeful or spiteful to me.

[@d8bn]

@@janetrogers4738 I've lived below my means for decades and cannot afford a home.

[@janetrogers4738]

@@d8bn I'm sorry. What state or part of the country do you live in? There are zero down loans in rural areas many options to buy. If you have major medical expenses I understand not being able to save but most people I see don't bring a lunch or coffee in a thermos etc. Eating out is expensive. One can save a huge amount by Never starting to smoke, keeping alcoholic beverages to a minimum, do your own. Mani, Pedi, keeping the same phone til it breaks, non designer purses, buying when something is on sale, turning the thermostat down and putting on a sweater or sweatshirt, No fancy 7 dollar coffee drinks, keeping the same vehicle for ten years or more etc. There is a huge different between needs and wants. I'm not saying that's what you did. I don't know your situation. I hope you win a jack pot lotto and cab buy your dream home!

[@The_Rain_Song]

@@d8bnWait 1-2 more years and it will be like 2009-2011 all over again especially in the Bay Area.

[@joellafrazier1224]

Who are these faceless landlords and property owners who hide behind their attorneys? They know what they're doing is wrong. Even if this is related to the housing market and what people are willing to pay, at some point you just can't pay anymore. The money just isn't there. Especially when you're their age. I don't believe they're taking this place off the market for "five years". This makes no sense. Why are they being targeted?

[@ChatBloom]

You know how expensive property taxes are there?!!

[@slc4226]

@@ChatBloom If the owners of that property purchased decades ago, their property tax is negligible, maybe as low as that couple's rent. Some of my neighbors here in SF are original owners (bought in 1957), and their annual property tax is around $500 while those who purchased 30 years ago pay about $8000 annually. As for today's buyers where houses on my street have appreciated 500% since 1990, I'm not sure how anyone can afford to buy a home in SF today.

[@joellafrazier1224]

@@ChatBloom Understood. Those property taxes will still come due even with the property being unoccupied for five years. Something isn’t right about this. Many of us will never have the ability to buy a home. We will be paying rent somewhere until We take our final breath. The rent increases being put on the backs of low income and retired people is becoming unbearable. Along with food, utilities and all the rest. Who or what is causing all this. It’s not enough to point the finger at “inflation”. This is how it is at the moment. I can’t help asking whose profiting from it all?

[@petestanton1945]

answer: u tube major shareholders

[@BensonAWong]

The owner is a dentist named Alexander Ja.

[@ArabCritic]

Born and raised in SF. Most landlords in general, including in SF, are slumlords. But the problem is an American problem, it's not just that there aren't enough rent-controlled homes, it's also that in the US, capitalism is a religion, there are no safeguards or safety nets for the impoverished, including people on fixed income.

[@sfdatman8097]

What you do is you wait 3 weeks after you send your landlord a letter about the broken heater and then you call a professional to come and fix it and take it off your rent payment

[@TheHiredGun187]

I had a roof leak at one of my past apartments. I told the landlord when I paid my rent one month. Nothing was done when my rent came due again. I paid the rent and attached a note saying I was going to start having roofers come out and do estimates on the repair...still nothing. When my rent came due again I sent him the bank notice that I opened a rent escrow account and was going to hire the lowest bidding roofer to do the work and bill him. The next day he drove from New York to Boston and looked at the damage himself...then and only then did he approve the roofers I had hired. 60 days later I sent him a bill for my time in solving the problem @$25.00/hour. He did not renew my lease...no big loss

[@hamsterdiving7593]

@Old Man Mercenary Good for you. You lost your apartment, but you took control, did everything by the book, and in the end, defending your principles were more valuable than that crappy apartment Some people are just late to the game, like this couple, but when they finally did take control, they ended up getting the boot too, just like you did

[@terrylee8333]

yeah you seem like a renter and a scammer .

[@hamsterdiving7593]

@terry lee Who are you referring to? There are two options: "Repair and Deduct" and "Withholding Rent", aka Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1942, 1942.5 (2023) He followed the steps. I guess you just like to post replies that make you look stupid

[@JustMe-gs9xi]

Dude,, THEY"RE POOR,,, regular people can't AFFORD to do those things!,, Geeez,,, You never been poor i guess

[@x-men69-96]

1. I feel for the couple, but sr living in someone's house for a long time doesn't make it your house. In the end of the day, you don't own it. The landlord need to pay their bills too. 2. As an Asian, I feel ashamed for their children. Asians always take care of their parents.

[@eagledice2008]

Maybe in your Asian country you treat people like shit here we have rights and it's on the news because this is not fair and people are already outraged they need to be given enough notice they never claimed to own the house it's not every child who can take care of their elderly parents what is wrong with you

[@ciara7172]

In any other developed country, tenants are entitled to certain rights. In this case, it's not like some nice family who owns the property. It's a property management company who exploits people trying to avoid homelessness, and this act is clearly retaliatory.

[@rickybobby6579]

Landlords are not entitled to price gouge their tenants

[@x-men69-96]

@Ciara in other developed countries, you don't have to pay huge property taxes. If you own a house, you will know $900 is nothing to off set those property taxes

[@x-men69-96]

@Ricky Bobby well, where do they get money to pay for property taxes? $900 is nothing to pay for the property taxes, mortgage, trash, sewer fee,....it's the government who pushes the people out of their home

[@pauljono8164]

Just leave SF. It's too expensive for most of us. Yes it sucks. Life goes on.

[@hamsterdiving7593]

*Understanding Tenant's Rent Withholding Rights in California* *(stop paying rent until HABITABILITY issues are resolved. These are all habitability issues):* -Lack of access to hot, cold, and potable water. -Broken heaters. -Sewage leaks and unusable plumbing. -Broken stairwells, railings, and floors. -Substantial leaks in roofs and windows. -Vermin and pest infestations. -Garbage overflow and unsanitary property conditions. I used to be a property manager, and while I totally sympathize with this nice couple's dilemma, I'm just surprised that in all the years they lived there they did not seek to educate themselves about their rights as tenants in the city of SF... I wonder if they have family. Surely someone -- a family member, a coworker, one of their neighbors -- could have informed them of their rights? I suspect they both just wanted to avoid confrontation; some people are just not built to handle the stress of facing someone who supposedly can rule over your right to a peaceful habitation. They are very soft-spoken and kind... BUT: there comes a time when you need to advocate for yourself and learn what your rights are! This, to me, appears to be long-standing issues ignored by both parties -- the couple's lack of due diligence and the landlord taking advantage of that and ignoring their requests for repairs -- coming to an inevitable head, years and years later. The final showdown, so to speak... But, better late than never...this lovely couple are *finally* standing up for themselves and learning to take control of their lives I say kudos and *DO NOT MOVE!!* Stay right where you are. The odds are highly in your favor that there will be an outcome that will either allow you to continue living in your long-time home with all the necessary repairs plus a settlement, or a settlement substantial enough for you to move wherever you want. I believe the Ellis Act has loopholes and work-arounds; whether this landlord is "bona-fide" in not exploiting the EA remains to be seen... Best of luck. Courage doesn't come just when you feel strong and confident. It also comes when your voice shakes and your palms sweat; when that happens you become a GIANT!

[@slc4226]

Thank you. I'm sure the information you provide from experience will help others.

[@hamsterdiving7593]

@@slc4226 You're welcome

[@user-vc8gc7uo8j]

Oh Ben n Cat, so sorry to hear your still fighting the landlords. It is good you put this to the news as it may help others in the same situation. I haven't been in touch with you two as my fb was hacked. I love you cuz n Cat.

[@BensonAWong]

Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness and support, cuz. We love you too! 🙏❤

[@stevi6236]

Bless them….. they deserve respect ❣️

[@hopespringseternal2624]

The problem with this is, that if they loose this battle, they will have an eviction on their record and no one will rent to them with an eviction on their record.

[@prst99]

Maybe they can point to this video to explain.

[@ChatBloom]

Maybe they should find a new place than!!!

[@ralphsmith2683]

There's no actual "record" unless the sheriff actually forces you to leave Even if you lose an unlawful detainer suit...it's not technically an eviction unless you're actually evicted

[@sappysuds4545]

So many people I know in the same situation. They spent their whole lives in SF renting, then get pushed out by their landlords, and have no equity, nothing in retirement and have to leave the area. It's sad. It's these folks that made SF a great city.

[@lalakuma9]

It should be illegal to evict an elderly couple just for claiming their rights. How could some landlords be so shameless?

[@ChatBloom]

forever renter

[@Rock_K9]

What a lovely couple. Wishing them the absolute best outcome.

[@brianalucinda4102]

So incredibly sad, praying for your justice in court!

[@hejiranyc]

First they complain that the apartment is such a derelict, broken shit hole, yet, they are fighting to stay there? Make it make sense. The landlord owns the property and is exercising their rights under the Ellis Act. So what’s the matter here? Sure, it sucks for the couple, but that’s what happens you rent. Renters don’t get to decide what other people do with their property.

[@harlanjackson6112]

That's the problem with SF rent control. Tenants never want to move out as their effective rent subsidy increases with each passing year. So apartments desperately in need of complete renovations never get them because they're never vacated. Adding to the narrative that all landlords are greedy scum based on the condition of these derelict units, causing increased acrimony between landlord and tenant as time goes on.

[@ArabCritic]

Update us on what happens to them!

[@sashabootcher888]

Even if it’s legal, doesn’t mean it’s right! The world is just getting greedier and greedier! This city just keeps getting so depressing and empty.

[@kg4021]

they lived there 40 years ..why did they not buy a dwelling or buy a condo someplace else? price gouging is wrong yes, but the landlord has rights too because if they want to sell their property then they should have to rights to do this as well.

[@calvinbarajas5144]

I rather purchase a home in the hood rather than rent.

[@ryanbarker5217]

$550 in 1984 is about $1600 today. that extra $500 where i live actually still has some value, but in SF that's probably nothing.

[@d8bn]

Rent these days is out of control. Mostly because the rental market is owned by corporations who set high prices and then the smaller landlords who own 3 -10 rental properties follow suit. Housing is a right and land is for everyone by the way.

[@michaeln.2383]

They got a really good deal if the rent less than quadrupled in 38 or 39 years.

[@slc4226]

@@michaeln.2383 The rent control law which the landlord unlawfully ignored would have kept the rent lower than what the couple paid.

[@elizabetharmendariz6004]

I ❤ this couple. I hope everything works out for them. I would subscribe if they had a KZbin channel chronicling their experiences through out this process.

[@I_like_turtles_67]

You love the fact they rented for forty years?

[@yankinwaoz]

That's insane that the city thinks that someone can be a LL in SF with only $500/month in revenue. No wonder they are getting out of the business. I'd sell it too.

[@noreply65]

Happened almost similar to us. Landlords due whatever they want. They broke the law and find the way to put you out. My Husband and I fixed many things because the landlord didn't. He lied saying he was moving in and that was the reason we have to move and of course it was not true. It was hard because we couldn't afford to pay the rent in other places, were to high. We are already living with relatives what we never did. As elderly people 70 and 60s, we feel disposables. We don't wanna go to lawyers and courts because we don't wanna more stress. I am praying for this couple. God never forsake us.

[@slc4226]

@@Melinda_Ross They're public interest lawyers and by definition non-profit. They do exist. I used to be one.

[@ChocoBabiChan]

There are probono lawyers that would have helped. By you not pursuing this, you're allowing this person to evade the law with someone else.

[@eckankar7756]

Should have bought a house when they were cheap and easy to qualify for. I couldn't buy a home in SF so I moved to Az where I could buy a house, working as a hairdresser, and even bought 11 rental properties. Go where you'll grow. We had decades to buy affordable homes back in the 1970s-2000s. If you didn't bother to prepare for your old age it's YOUR fault.

[@heh2k]

Move. Why stay in SF and put up with this nonsense? Whole rest of the country to live in, where this stuff doesn't happen and cost of living is a fraction of what it is here. It's bizarre to retire in one of the most expensive places in the world, unless you're rich.

[@mbautista9923]

@@eckankar7756 ​ if she didn’t prepare is not your business plus who knows maybe they couldn’t!!!! So your last part of your comment save it!!! Never judge someone by its cover!!!!

[@BensonAWong]

Great News concerning our Ellis Act Eviction case! The Superior court judge made the following ruling against our landlord. "Motion for Summary Judgment is DENIED. Triable issues of fact exist regarding retaliation and bona fide intent to exit the residential market under Drouet." Our Landlord’s attorney contested the ruling and was denied. I’m sure that they didn’t want to face a jury trial and decided to rescind the Ellis Act Eviction Notice and drop the Unlawful Detainer against us. The bottom line is that we get to stay here. 🙏🏼

[@adamdygnarowicz5127]

I wish both of you all the best, all the way from Warsaw, Poland.

[@BensonAWong]

@@adamdygnarowicz5127 Thank you so much! :)

[@billyyank5807]

2,100 a month in rent in 2019. That's f'n ridiculous. That's no mansion on its own lot. That's nut to butt on top of one another packed in like sardines. Pipes leaking, no heat, hole in a wall. Why are they even paying rent? Scumbag landlords from California are doing this all over Oregon also. It's ridiculous. High rents,refuse to fix anything. Leave everything up to Tenants. It's insane.

[@Benzbuild]

How can fix anything if you can't pay to fix it? Let's say the cost of maintaining the property every month is 1900k. Expecting to pay 500$ to rent, you must be high or from another planet.

[@malcriadamedina5358]

Where are the kids they raised? Come take care of your parents at least

[@Old_Mansplaining]

They have money they’re screwing the landlord on purpose.

[@sigmundgroth6452]

They got a $28,000 dlls. refund and a $895 a month rent, what else do they want? Currently you can't get A ROOM in a home or apartment for under $1,000 dlls in San Francisco. The owner will not be able to pay property taxes, and expenses out of $550 dlls. a month for rent. With these kind of tenants there will be less housing for rent in San Francisco. I wouldn't own rental property with these tenants and laws, and if I owned it I would sell it immediately because instead of an asset it is a liability...

[@hugoballs]

I'm pretty sure that $895/month was their initial rent. @1:23 says they are paying $2100/month in 2019.

[@marlastohr1969]

Key words “rent controlled”. They were overcharged for years, and with their home falling apart around them, no heat etc… Maybe they want heat, and not to pay above the rent control limit.

[@sigmundgroth6452]

@@hugoballs : Watch the video again and this time pay attention... their initial rent was $550. People like this make it very difficult for other tenants to find a place with a decent rent to live. That is what happened in our building, the family who owned the building got tired of the abusive tenants backed by the tenants rights association or something like that who sued the family who opted to pay the tenants $2 million as settlement (they sued for $25 million in partnership with ambulance-chasing lawyers who took $1.5 million for them and gave the tenants $500K to divide among themselves) then the family sold the building and a large company bought it and our rents have gone up 100% in two years, even though we supposedly have rent control but the company lawyers found loopholes in the law to charge us for a bunch of stuff and raise the rent 100%) Now we live under pressure from the company lawyers and they already sent a notice that this year they will raise the rent again for "capital improvements" and even for expenses they incur in the operation of the building like paying the lawyers and other stuff. Abusive landlords are bad, abusive tenants are also bad.

[@sigmundgroth6452]

@@marlastohr1969 : You are not well informed, the rent control is a joke; there are a lot of loopholes in it... abusive landlords are bad, abusive tenants are also bad.

[@hugoballs]

@@sigmundgroth6452 I dont understand your aguement. Are you FOR lower rent? or are you arguing for higher rent so the owners can pay expenses and make money?

[@jerrymylove1754]

Never be a landlord in San Francisco

[@_Kittensworth]

Don't be a landlord anywhere. There are many other ways to invest money.

[@J.Shabazz]

I WOULD HAVE TAKEN THE $90K AND LEFT!

[@melaniedomingo5755]

$27,928 was what the landlord agreed to pay back, not the whole $90K they deserve. 2:12

[@thatguy7085]

Was the lease for 100 years?

[@whatsnext2359]

They seemed to think it's a lease to own.

[@Coffee240]

No heat, water leaks, drywall ruined, and they want to fight to stay there, pay high rent. Crazy.

[@Zero11_ss]

Because the rent is probably still way lower than everyone else on that street. They want everything fixed and updated without paying normal rents.

[@residentevil4life]

$500 rent for an entire apartment to yourself in San Francisco is beyond the bargain bin price for rent in 2023 and they are retired and on fixed income so its not like they can just easily get a new apartment based on their massive tech salary.

[@Blue_Star_flyer]

@@residentevil4life Exactly who 'fixed' their incomes?? They had 40 years cheap rent they could have saved and invested. I'm retired, own my home, on Social Security, have a nice savings and great investments making moderate income all my life. Why didn't they prepare for old age? My sister was born without legs. She became a nail tech in a salon, worked and invested in rental properties. She's 66 now and wealthy. You have to be willing to invest in your own wellbeing through out your life. 40 years paying rent and they have nothing to show for it...they did it to themselves. oh well.

[@raf25985]

this country has changed so much , we lost the nation to corporations

[@SC-lb6cn]

You will never win against landlords. It’s all stacked against the renter. This is the way it is.

[@fishnrc294]

Do not give up or surrender that’s what they want fight till the end & never give up hope. Something good always comes out of something Bad.

[@ChatBloom]

It's not their home!!!

[@harlock75]

@@ChatBloom They are legal renters.

[@KBcollision]

$2,100 is a steal for San Francisco, but i get they are on fixed income. No landlord could afford renting there for $550 though. Its a no win situation:/

[@Blue_Star_flyer]

they had their whole lifetime to save up and invest. "Fixed income" is elderly that didn't prepare for their senior years, such as buying a home vs renting for 40 years.

[@waterspirit8053]

@@Blue_Star_flyer $90k in illegal rent increases might've put their 'preparedness' on hold for some time. $90k is more than enough to have you exploring better options, possibly even putting a hit out on a shitlord gaming the system in SF.

[@MikeNolan]

@@waterspirit8053 OMG!!!! just stop your nonsense 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@Blue_Star_flyer]

@@waterspirit8053 They denied the $90K and settled for much less, then got evicted. I wonder if the excessive rent fine is correct. Rent from $550 to $2100 over 40 years comes to 3.4% annual increase. I'm not sure how much SF allows in rent increase but it certainly sounds like an appropriate amount to increase.

[@AC-iw8vc]

The landlord is very rotten, mean !! They're senior citizens, nice friendly couple. Why are you evicting them and increasing so much rent ! I would prefer to rent to elderly couple, than noisy people or don't have the rent and give landlords a hard time!!

[@Patriot_Lady1776]

Is there a Go Fund Me account for these poor people living in the freezing cold and having to tolerate a huge hole in one wall. There's a special place in H@ll for evil slumlords that treat elderly people this way.

[@sallymoore6920]

Please do a follow up

[@chrispnw2547]

These situations are so complex. Can a couple renting an apartment be shielded from inflation and long-term maintenance expenses? $500/month is an insane monthly rent for the area and unfair to the landlord. The landlord's expenses (property tax, insurance, etc.) have not been fixed during their rental period. Of course the couple is on fixed income but that does not entitle them to live in one of the most expensive cities into perpetuity. The landlord should not be required to make improvements when their rent is so far below market rate. Are the couple still pay the same for food, clothes, and other services as they did when they moved in? Of course not. The landlord cannot make improvements with them living in the apartment and never leaving. Sadly, there is probably no place they can rent in the area on their fixed income. Reality should have hit them 20 years ago and that was the time they should have moved to a place they could actually afford but they were in denial and did not want to make a hard decision.

[@Blue_Star_flyer]

Exactly who 'fixed' their income? Did they not save up and invest for their old age? I did. I paid off a house in 20 years. Why didn't these two? I'm retired. I have Social Security but also savings and investments. "Fixed Income" is just a way for people to play victim. 40 years paying cheap rent in San Francisco would be a dream. They should be happy they spent half their life in a beautiful city.

[@ouisi917]

So much ignorance in these comments. And clearly many who didn’t watch the actual clip… You don’t have to be a renter to know what rent controlled means or that the LL legally agreed to drop the rent back to $550 then violated their own agreement. These folks aren’t tech workers driving up rent by the way. 🙄

[@michellet7013]

Awww that’s a sad story ❤

[@SDALLE99]

This couple doesn’t make sense. If they had such a terrible landlord, and their home is in such terrible condition, why not just move? I understand that moving is not always an option, but in this case it is 100% justified. Why risk their health and the health of their family to stay with a landlord that’s clearly a crook? Also they’ve had 40 years, why haven’t they buy a house? These old fools are holding on to the nostalgia of the past, insisting on living somewhere they’re not welcome, and making themselves and everyone else miserable in the process.

[@Jaybee82]

This is a prime example of feelings over facts. This couple lived there so long they could've bought the house or moved. They can't expect to have the same rent they paid over a decade ago. Time Flys, cost of living rises and everyone has to adjust to it. They fighting to keep the rent at their affordable fixed income hut dont think how it affects the landlord whose not renting to them under market value while everything is rising up. I really don't get this whole thing about this situation smh.

[@b.visconti1765]

One thing I've learned is your home is where you take it..I'm sure a new place to make your home will come out of this interview👍❤️

[@pattibelcher2659]

I live in Texas in an elderly apartment complex and they raise our rent every time you renew ! I live on only $914.00 a month due to my $73.00 SS raise! My rent went up by $100.00 and also due to this raise my food stamps were lowered by $ 80.00 !

[@hoapres]

You need to get subsidized Section 8 housing.

[@pattibelcher2659]

@@hoapres I have it . But the rent goes up and the section 8 still only pays so much and to also take away $80.00 of my stamps!!!!!! “ REALLY “ !!!! I am now in the- NEGATIVE!!!! The BIG $73.00 increase doesn’t Help !!!!

[@adelmomontero3554]

That's what happens when the government gives zero percent loans to Wall Street .... they buy up everything and raise your rents. The government is an arm of Wall Street.

[@sbostic08]

​@@pattibelcher2659 Do you have children? If so, maybe they can help you pay the difference.

[@slc4226]

@@hoapres Good luck with that.

[@me9661]

How can $500 a month even cover property tax? There needs to be a happy medium.

[@rhuntington3]

Good luck to them. The prevailing sentiment is shifting back to the landlords and people are starting not to care about tenants. Landlords are tired of the pandemic protections or rent controlled buildings.

[@troygaspard6732]

That they did not know about rent control, which had already been in effect by the year they began to live there is sad. They should be paying way less for rent.

[@MsJrowell]

Where's these high paid attorney s in SF? At least one should be able to help this couple pro bona. Sounds like suing landlord for personal damages may be in order. Poor people are definitely being taken advantage of by this greedy, money grabbing, low-life vulture, preditor!

[@mikeifyouplease]

I hope the court also charges for retroactive damages. The landlord was knowingly over-charging rent for years, and he was not providing a healthy and livable residence for years. I say I hope the court throws the book at the landlord, and then calls him back and....hits him with it again!

[@johnmcintyre1965]

All good things must come to an end unfortunately. Especially if you don't own the property. The property owner has the rights too.

[@goodone5590]

​@Cam Yuen what are you talking about? The lanlord has been lenient for 40 yrs, their losing money thats not fair!

[@abef.9085]

Landlord will Lose.

[@percywillis]

Criminal. Sounds unlawful.

[@danschoenharl3856]

Surely the landlord has been aware of the rent control law, but simply did not honor it, even raising the rent above the cost of inflation. Adjusted for inflation $550.00 in 1984 would be $1353 in 2019, a far cry from $2,100. Bless the Wongs, maybe they won't make any landlord wealthy, but sometimes money is the cheapest thing we have.

[@sasham1280]

Why are the owners of the building allowed to get away with not fixing things? There is hardly any protection as a renter and pretty much zero consequences for the owner being outright neglectful of the property. I feel bad for this couple they have just been screwing them over for years

[@unclek3108]

What money should the owners use to fix the building? $550 a month and you think the owners should be paying to keep the property updated 😂 have you seen how much it costs to upkeep property

[@millieatcentralcagarden9764]

Hopefully their kids can take them in. For $2,100 mon, they can rent a larger home with a yard in the central valley like Lathrop or Manteca which is 1 hour away. There are options. San Fran is just too expensive.

[@valerieneal2747]

THE CENTRAL VALLEY IS NOT ONE HOUR AWAY FROM S.F.

[@Zero11_ss]

They probably used all the money they saved on rent to help their kids buy their own homes or pay for college lol

[@Blue_Star_flyer]

40 years of rent they could have bought and paid off several homes by now.

[@millieatcentralcagarden9764]

@@valerieneal2747 yes it is. Tracy, French Camp, Lathrop & Manteca is Central Valley. I know the drive very well to SF. Lots of commuters where I live.

[@millieatcentralcagarden9764]

@@Zero11_ss you are most likely correct. Many Asian parents prioritize their kids education before themselves. That's why I hope the kids take them in if the kids have their own homes.

[@schnatify]

Something’s off. This couple lives in one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the US. When they signed that lease 40 years ago, $550/mo was a big number. We’re not seeing the whole story.

[@RacerX1971]

Horrible...hope and pray they get treated fairly

[@slc4226]

Clearly, most commenters here don't know how the rent control law works in San Francisco, but they feel free to judge this couple anyway, displaying an incredible lack of compassion and humanity.

[@residentevil4life]

Obviously must be landlords themselves or trust fund babies sitting in daddy's paid condo who are oblivious to the renting crisis.

[@jasonw8497]

@slc I'm seeing the opposite. Most here support the couple without understanding personal property rights.

[@celebrityrog]

There is special rent control mandates that protect people who have lived in places for a certain amount of time and are of a certain age. It’s illegal rent increases and eviction due to retaliation. If they want to pull and Ellis Act then for up to 5 years that building can’t be on the market or rented to anyone except the landlords family. Then there is other laws that kick in to get the original tenants to come back.

[@BusArch42]

I suspect they re planning to demolish it

[@eattherich9215]

The scumbag landlord should be made to fix the defects and repay the money he STOLE from the tenants.

[@hamsterdiving7593]

*I am astonished at the number of people on this thread going on and on about "owning" a home. Listen, if you "own" a home and you're paying a mortgage on it, you DON'T own it, the bank does. Get over yourselves*

[@Benzbuild]

Sooner or later if they pay it off it's their home.

[@hamsterdiving7593]

@BenzBuild But you NEVER pay it off. You'll pay property taxes on it for the rest of your life. That's not full ownership to me

[@ChatBloom]

Just like renters?

[@Benzbuild]

@@hamsterdiving7593 it's paying the tax man, for "protection" from losing your home.

[@GavinPutland]

What's better than rent control? A market in which landlords have to compete against each other for tenants, instead of the other way around. How do you create that sort of market? Not by making it less attractive to supply accommodation (which is what rent control does), but by making it less attractive NOT to-with a tax on vacant lots and unoccupied buildings. The "vacancy tax", as it is sometimes called, is not limited to what real-estate agents call vacancies, i.e. properties available for rent; it also applies to vacant lots and empty properties that are not on the rental market, and prompts the owners to get them occupied in order to avoid the tax. Yes, a vacant-property tax is meant to be AVOIDED. It's not meant to be paid. Better still, avoidance of it would generate economic activity, expanding the bases of other taxes and allowing their rates to be reduced, so that everyone else-including tenants, home owners, and landlords with tenants-would pay LESS tax!

[@Mindset630]

How come the Landlord did not offer them a deal they could not refuse, A relocation fee given and added monies for pain and suffering. I hope the judge does it for them..We treat our elderly horrible here in the States, sad...In some Countries their elderly are treated like gold, respected to the highest level.

[@eckankar7756]

They've had 40 years of cheap rent, why didn't they save up for retirement, or move where they could buy a house? I couldn't buy in SF, loved it there, but as a hairdresser no way could I afford a home. I moved to AZ and bought a home and a few rental properties doing perms and haircuts. Go where you'll grow. This couple playing victim, they simply failed to prepare for change. Then playing the victim with a hear attack due to the stress...it takes more than stress to cause a heart attack. Such game players.

[@XUrbanSimsX]

@@eckankar7756 Its crazy how your attacking the victims in this story but not questioning the landlords illegal practices.

[@eckankar7756]

@@XUrbanSimsX These 'victims' choose to go public..it's not like any of us are sneaking through their private lives, THEY CHOSE TO GO ON THE NEWS WORLD WIDE. Once they go public EVERYONE is allowed to have an opinion. They failed to provide for their old age..period. Multiple others agree with me

[@Blue_Star_flyer]

@@eckankar7756 Exactly. They have had every opportunity to buy a house and have it paid for by now. 40 years of rent and they have nothing to show for it. They've had their whole lives pay cheap rent in a beautiful city and didn't save for retirement, either. "Fixed Income" who fixed it? They did. I'm retired and have Social Security and a paid off house and a nice savings and investments. What did these two do for themselves? Nothing.

[@hamsterdiving7593]

@eckankar You are entitled to your opinion but damn, you sound bitter

[@amayautumn]

Keep fighting! Terrible landlord! Shame on you.

[@SwedishGFE]

$500 a month won't pay even for the property taxes on that building. No wonder the landlord wants them evicted and didn't fix anything! Not sure why people don't realize that it costs money to own properties.

[@chofu794]

Uhhh it probably will. Property tax in CA changes on change of ownership. So the landlord is likely paying tax based on the sale price back when the landlord first bought it which we know is before 1985. Based on housing prices in the early 80s, my guess is it's 1% of $100k which is $1k which would be covered in 2 months.

[@SwedishGFE]

@@chofu794 Actually your property taxes goes up for everyone every year. Besides the expenses on owning a property is high and goes up like everything else. The amount they were paying per month was not enough to cover the expenses.

[@mkrowenp]

My thoughts are with them

[@deborahriley1166]

😡😡😡😡😡😡 Jerks will get their KARMA!!! Ageism and greed!!!😡😡😡😡😡

[@noyc1394]

I don’t know who the land going to rent to when the businesses in San Francisco area are not doing good. The tech companies laid off massive of people.

[@The_VANtastic_Pack]

Why isn't anyone talking about how a landlord can leave a rental unit vacant for up to 5 YEARS! 😲

[@whatsnext2359]

It's like if you have a car that you choose to park in the garage for 5 years, that's your right.

[@JW-mx3qg]

It doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be left vacant though, but likely a family member to move in for those 5 years. But yeah I’m sure they are up to something else in order to circumvent this law for their profit

[@avanulaneway8418]

you only shocked cuz you broke

[@Blue_Star_flyer]

Why not? beter than dead beat tenants.

[@thomasalundago6332]

How did you get that house for $550? More than 25 years ago i was paying $650 for a small room and i was living alone? Wow! These people have good connections.

[@chiefenumclaw7960]

What are they going to do?!!? Move to Missouri or West Virginia like other broke a$$ people on a fixed income. People don't deserve to live in a place they can't afford just because they grew up there.

[@3Axel1996]

They moved in paying $550 back in 1984. That's 39 years ago.

[@JCC408]

@@3Axel1996 So these people have been benefitting at the landlord's expense. That is not fair either.

[@aynrandfan7454]

Why are they shocked? As a landlord I can decide whatever I want to do with my properties. I don’t care if you have medical issues like heart attacks or going through chemo or whatever financial issues

[@xwrtk]

I’m a landlord too and what the landlord did was wrong. That was a massive rent increase of nowhere. $50-$100 increase is more common and more reasonable.

[@iplyrunescape305]

I sure as hell don't want to be your tenant then. And God help anyone that does become your tenant.

[@lifeunderthesun831]

$550 a month for an apartment in san fran....no wonder the landlords are taking the unit off the market.

[@maryfields877]

I left SF years ago. You couldn’t pay me to live in those dumps. Right now, their rent is more than my mortgage, including taxes and insurance. People need to realize the world is bigger than SF.

[@thecreditsavageofwallstree9898]

But it's NOT San Francisco. BEST city in the world. Not everyone can afford to live here.

[@maryfields877]

@@thecreditsavageofwallstree9898 I grew up there, I beg to differ. Beautiful yes, best no.

[@thecreditsavageofwallstree9898]

@maryfields877 I was born here, and have a house here. I can afford it. I have been all over the world. It's the best city. Better than Tokyo. NYC. Munich. Paris. Barcelona. Madrid. London. Geneva. Rio. Beijing. Moscow. Like I said, if you can afford it, it's the best city. Does it have a few areas that aren't the best? Yes, but it still is the best. In the best state, no less.

[@maryfields877]

@@thecreditsavageofwallstree9898 Yes, the best state, absolutely. I would never leave. I don't care what the California haters say! I respectfully disagree with you about being the best city. Waking up without have piss, puke, or poop on my doorstep has skewed my opinion.

[@ChatBloom]

@@thecreditsavageofwallstree9898 They don't want them there!!!

[@Lady_Danbury]

If you want to fully control a property, you have to be the owner. Then there's nothing to complain about and no one can make you leave.

[@shreehill9641]

Imminent Domain

[@robinlavois4483]

The cops can make you leave. A lot of these homeless used to be home owners. In this transient society, a 90 day sentence and inability to call out of jail can mean foreclosure before you get released, making one homeless. I work with homeless and have verified this.

[@Lady_Danbury]

@@shreehill9641 imminent domain action rarely happens. Don’t be intentionally obtuse.

[@Lady_Danbury]

@@robinlavois4483 of course you can’t stay if you don’t pay. But even after foreclosure you still have six months to sell or either work something out with the bank. The point is renters and owners do not and SHOULD NOT have the same rights. It’s not their property.

[@user-eh2hj8bx6i]

Yeah because it's so easy to own property smh

[@bubbaramsey9777]

Don’t people realize landlords are at the mercy of the government spending their money.

[@IGNANT4LIFE]

this got to be the most "SF" neighborhood I've seen

[@Kay0Bot]

This is why you buy property for your children, as soon as possible. Always try own property. Even if it's 3 families under one roof. The equity allows all 3 families to buy another home. Suffer for 10 years. It sucks but that's how get ahead being poor, team up with other poor people

[@yasmeen7875]

I hate to say in fear of it being taken the wrong way but what you just described is what a lot of Mexicans are doing here in California. It's brilliant. I've seen my neighbors do this and now both of the families that live in that house have their own houses. I've seen many latino families start from the bottom, now they are prospering. My husband and I are putting an ADU on our property for our children trying to do something similar to what you described.

[@I_like_turtles_67]

@@yasmeen7875 Philippinos do the same thing.

[@percywillis]

This is pretty smart! I've never heard that idea before.

[@juicyfruit6311]

@@I_like_turtles_67 Yup. My Filipino parents sold their primary residence to other Filipinos. The buyers were farm workers who joined together to buy the property. 4 couples ended up in that house. My parents came to the States in the 70s. No money. They worked in agriculture. My Dad worked 2 jobs. My Mom worked double shift as a nurse. They saved up. They bought their own home. They put 2 kids through school. Years later, my parents were happy to see who the buyers were as they saw themselves in those buyers.

[@temle7489]

We bought our house in Brentwood 10 years ago under 3% down FHA 3K a month with PMI. 1 family only. My wife and I work in Hayward. Long commute. We took the risk with lots of ramen noodles LOL but we still have the house now it is worth 900 K double. They don't accept FHA applicants here no more not in our street. We refinanced it after we got equity and removed PMI. We are planning to pass it on to our son after his Berkeley college.Filipino family here :)

[@whatsnext2359]

I'm sorry, but $2,100/month is a bargain anywhere in CA, let alone the upscale neighborhood they're in. In 35 years, their rent increased from $550 to $2,100...that's only about $44 increase per year, which is nominal in comparison to inflation. The landlord offered them $27,928 plus rolled their rent back to $550/month. The tenants literally said "it's ok, we'll just accept that", as if they had a better offer to rent somewhere else, or as if they were getting the short end of the stick. Just because they live in rent control" doesn't mean that they should be able to get away with a killing while the landlord is stuck with taxes and all the other expenses that come with owning a property. They mentioned that there's a big hole in their master closet. How did it get there? Was it already there when they first rented the place, or did they damage the wall? I'm sure the landlord didn't come in their closet and kick a hole in it. If the tenants caused the damage, why don't they replace the drywall & repair it themselves? I'm sorry, but these people sound like they're trying to get way more than they should be. They say that if you're greedy grasping for too much, you can end up with nothing. In forty years, they certainly could've saved up and purchased a home a long time ago. Where are their two adult children? How come they aren't helping with a few hundred bucks to help if their parents truly can't afford the $2,100/month. If their kids cant help, it says a lot about the financial teachings being passed down. Their English is perfect, so they should've had no problem getting good jobs to ensure a better financial situation. I know so many immigrants who have only been here 5-10 years and barely speak English, but they work so hard and already able to buy homes. Something about this couple doesn't add up, and neither does their financial situation. I hope something fair & equitable is worked out for all parties involved though. They should've been happy with what they had and not stirred things up for their landlord who allowed them to rent for 40 years. The landlord could've evicted them long ago to get $3,500/month instead, but they didn't. If I were the landlord, I'd feel like these people have no appreciation for the long-standing relationship, opportunity to rent well below market & loyalty. These relationships go both ways.

[@ComplicatedLadyBlog]

This is sad for both parties. It’s not fair for the landlord who still has to pay property taxes and other expenses, even if the mortgage is paid off. It’s sad for the tenants too. But I suspect the tenants felt ownership of the apt since they have been there for 40 years. They probably assumed they would never be forced to leave due to the rent control. Now they will have a hard time finding another place to live in California. I also think they should of just accepted the $985 “increase,” which was actually a huge decrease from the $2100 they were paying. But again, I suspect they felt ownership to the apt, and that the landlord wouldn’t be able to do anything to them. Rent Control usually does give that power to the renter.

[@alvinron2]

Totally agree! This couple are making the rental market worse for everyone else.

[@whatsnext2359]

​@ComplicatedLADY by Francesca you nailed it. They feel ownership & entitled.

[@shari9721]

I dont know what you were listening to but this greedy slumlord literally stole $90,000 from them over the years , with interest they were owed over $100,000 but instead he gave back less than $28,000 with a signed agreement to put their rent back to $550 , basically making payments of the rest of the money he owed them but then 2 weeks later he turns around and breaks the contract and tries to evict them when he should have been sitting in a jail cell for stealing from them all those years . To top it off on top of stealing from them for years their heater hasnt worked in DECADES , they havent had ANY heat in decades while he continued stealing from them ! You have no idea what they did for work , what their circumstances were/are or what they spent their money on or what their kids do for work or what their circumstances are and every one of those things are irrelevant to this story and absolutely none of your business .smdh

[@chofu794]

@@ComplicatedLadyBlog Technically, property taxes in CA only change with a change in ownership. So the landlord is paying taxes based on the sale price pre-1985.

[@blutru1328]

God Bless the Wong's always and a swift and satisfactory resolution to this housing battle.

[@ChatBloom]

"God Bless"? Fighting for something that they do not own!!!!

[@hermanrogers1325]

People must realize that rent is only temporary not permanent so it took 40 years catch up to them

[@petestanton1945]

rent control

[@zekeonstormpeak4186]

Can you imagine if they would have bought a house in 1984? All the money they wasted in rent over 40 years.

[@eggheadegghead]

$550 per month back in the 80s, you could sell that house in SF for millions and millions nowadays.

[@sandyrodriguez2803]

The house would be paid off by now. Imagine that!

[@ChatBloom]

Their only smart about abusing landlord, they're not smart enough to buy a house!

[@lisabaltzer4190]

No matter how long you rent a place, you are not the owner and have no right to stay there in perpetuity. It doesn’t belong to you.

[@langlang9326]

I had a landlord started out who never fixed anything, leaks it was freezing in the winter and he used to not stop by for months on end, I used to hold all those months and pay him when I saw him, I had to fix my own apartment and the lady under me, I was lucky it was a two flat, my rent was 275.00 and I had to pay for my own heat and such. It's how I saved for the down payment of my house. I lived in a poor area with high crime in a dump and saved for my house. However my neighborhood now just gotten worse, crime is high but having a house paid for is keeping me here. Either way when I die the neighbor who happens to rent at the time whom ever it may be will get my house free and clear, the neighbor across the street did this, the renter next door was shocked, she got a house for free! I don't have kids so this is my plan, or donate it to my city even though I do not like my city what will I care I will be dead?

[@janetrogers4738]

I'd never buy property in CA insane laws almost totally skewed to tenants having all the rights That and people who live on the streets. A truly messed up state. A lot of great people there but too many laws are insane there.

[@TXyellowRose]

It’s probably all comes down to money…for 40+ years of rent wow