Q & A With Properties West

Q) I just bought a building that has a Section 8 tenant. This is a rent controlled building and the rent has not been raised for one year. Can I serve a 30-day notice to increase the rent by 4%?

A) The City of Los Angeles has approved a 4% rent increase commencing July 1, 2009. This is not applicable under Section 8-Subsidized Housing rules. All rent increases are approved and instituted by Section 8. The owner may request an increase but approval must be forthcoming.

(Taken from AOA Magazine, September 2009)

Q & A With Properties West

Q) My new tenants hired a nightly nanny for their newborn twins. That person has now been there for eight weeks. Is this person considered a tenant at this point? Can I raise the rent or ask them to leave?

A) Generally a person staying longer than 30-days is not considered a guest. In this case, however, this person is neither a guest nor a tenant. This person is considered a caregiver and this person's presence does not establish a tenancy.

(Taken from AOA Magazine, September 2009)

Q & A with Properties West

Q) I have two 18 unit buildings that are located on one lot. Do I need to have a resident manager for each building or will one suffice?

A) Under California law a landlord must maintain a resident manager where 16 or more units exist on the lot. The fact that you have two buildings, each with greater than 16-units does not change the equation. Only one resident manager would be necessary. If one of the buildings were adjacent but on a separate lot, then two resident managers would be required.

(Taken from AOA Magazine; July 2009)