Rent increase and harassment

[dazzer@2021]

Jurisdiction

California

Hi,
I have family members that is renting a house in El Monte CA. The landlord raised the rent last year and want to raise it again in a large amount and a number of quite crazy requests.

The issues are the landlord has basically been harassing them into trying to get them to purchase large items from them. One item was $17k and this year she asked for a $10k deposit and when they refused she said she would raise the rent even higher.

She also shows up at random times and tells them she has to come inside to see the condition of the property. Many times without warning and no notice.

The rent increases are massive. $500 last year and then $500 this year that was raised to $800 when they didn't agree to the increased and illegal deposit requirement.

What can be done now that they want to move out but everything is expensive and they have to incur costs to move?

 

[adjusterjack]

Same old story I see dozens of times a week.

"I want to but I can't because (insert reason here)."

When the two choices are either move or stay and you can't do either for whatever reason there really isn't anything anybody online can tell you that will be of any help.

 

[Tax Counsel]

California law is very tenant friendly, probably the most pro tenant state in the country. There are several organizations in El Monte that provide free legal assistance and other help to tenants, including:

El Monte city Housing Clinic
Housing Rights Center run by the nonprofit 211LA
Rental Assistance Workshop operated by the El Monte School District

 

[army judge]

What can be done now that they want to move out but everything is expensive and they have to incur costs to move?

Moving isn't easy. Its also most inconvenient. However, living under the thumb of a dictatorial abuser, like the landlord you describe would motivate me to get out upon the current expiry of my existing lease.

Beyond being greedy, she's most uncouth, impolite, abrasive, and nosey.

Get out ASAP, she's also a sneaky thief!!!

 

[zddoodah]

The landlord raised the rent last year and want to raise it again in a large amount

So?

the landlord has basically been harassing them into trying to get them to purchase large items from them. One item was $17k and this year she asked for a $10k deposit and when they refused she said she would raise the rent even higher.

Lots of "theys" and "thems" without clear antecedents here. Without some explanation about these "large items," I'm not sure what you expect anyone to make of this.

She also shows up at random times and tells them she has to come inside to see the condition of the property. Many times without warning and no notice.

Ok...the tenants are free to deny access if the landlord doesn't comply with Civil Code section 1954.

What can be done now that they want to move out but everything is expensive and they have to incur costs to move?

I don't understand the question. The tenants can stay and pay the rent increases or move.

While I agree that, in general, California is a tenant-friendly state, most of the protections apply to apartments and do not apply to most single-family residences.

 

[Red Kayak]

What can be done now that they want to move out but everything is expensive and they have to incur costs to move?

1) They could choose not to renew their lease and move. Yes, there are costs associated with moving. That's life. It's worth it if the place is truly overpriced, or if they can't afford it.

2) They could review local laws and, if it seems that the LL is gouging them, get help. El Monte | Tenants Together

3) If things are looking truly dire, they can seek assistance short term. https://elmonteca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/6056/El-Monte-Rental-Assistance--Checklist-English-1

 

[Zigner]

Effective January 1, 2020, the State of California enacted a statewide rent control law, referred to as the California Tenant Protection Act of 2019 or Assembly Bill 1482 (AB 1482).

AB 1482:

• Limits annual rent increases to no more than 5% + local CPI or 10% whichever is lower.
  • As of August 2024, the maximum allowable annual rent increase in the Los Angeles Area is restricted to 8.9% (5% + CPI of 3.9%)
  • As of August 2025, the maximum allowable annual rent increase in the Los Angeles Area is restricted to 8.0% (5% + CPI of 3.0%)
• Provides Just Cause protections to tenants.
• If a unit is already covered by local eviction and/or rent increase regulations, the unit remains subject to those local regulations and the statewide law does not remove or replace those tenant protections.

Rent Increases – Consumer & Business

dcba.lacounty.gov

 

[zddoodah]

Effective January 1, 2020, the State of California enacted a statewide rent control law

That law does not apply to single-family residences as long as the owner is not a corporation, a REIT or other such entity and the tenants have been given statutory notice that it isn't applicable. Civil Code section 1947.12(d)(5). Since the OP said his/her family members are "renting a house," I assume we're dealing with an SFR. If that's not the case, or if the relatives weren't given the appropriate notice, then they should consult with a local attorney.

 

[Zigner]

That law does not apply to single-family residences as long as the owner is not a corporation, a REIT or other such entity and the tenants have been given statutory notice that it isn't applicable. Civil Code section 1947.12(d)(5). Since the OP said his/her family members are "renting a house," I assume we're dealing with an SFR. If that's not the case, or if the relatives weren't given the appropriate notice, then they should consult with a local attorney.

Fair enough.

 

[justblue]

Hi,
I have family members that is renting a house in El Monte CA. The landlord raised the rent last year and want to raise it again in a large amount and a number of quite crazy requests.

The issues are the landlord has basically been harassing them into trying to get them to purchase large items from them. One item was $17k and this year she asked for a $10k deposit and when they refused she said she would raise the rent even higher.

She also shows up at random times and tells them she has to come inside to see the condition of the property. Many times without warning and no notice.

The rent increases are massive. $500 last year and then $500 this year that was raised to $800 when they didn't agree to the increased and illegal deposit requirement.

What can be done now that they want to move out but everything is expensive and they have to incur costs to move?

Please clarify what you mean by "purchase large items"... What are these items?