pages: RentReviewAdvisoryCommittee/2018-02-05.pdf, 2
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RentReviewAdvisoryCommittee | 2018-02-05 | 2 | Approved Minutes February 5, 2018 Mr. Young, referencing the Craigslist ads submitted by the tenants of units renting for less than their rent, stated that the "comparatives" offered by the tenants were not relevant since they signed a lease (in 2016) at the rate of $1,950. Ms. Lorega informed the Committee that Program Staff had invalidated two previous rent increase attempts. She said she believed her rent was above market-rate considering the condition of the unit, lack of amenities, lack of maintenance and repairs, and the fact that most utilities were not included. She said that the increased rent would comprise about 36% of their current income. Mr. Young responded that the apartment was in fine condition and the tenants did not take good care of the property. He told the Committee that the tenants had two pet rabbits when they told him they only had one, and that the unit smelled bad inside. Referencing the photographs submitted by the landlord, Ms. Lorega replied that most of the items depicted belonged to her downstairs neighbors. She added that both rabbits were disclosed to the landlord when they moved in and were in fact mentioned in the lease, and that she cleaned up after them as needed. Mr. Young replied that the building was old and that he was not making money from it, adding that repairs were expensive. He said that the tenants did not inform him of any work that needed to be done. Ms. Lorega replied that they did not often ask for repairs because the landlord does repairs himself and they had concerns about him making repairs to their unit because he was not mindful of their personal property when doing repair work. Vice Chair Sullivan-SariƱana asked the tenant if her household was single-income. She said that it was until her husband very recently found employment. She confirmed that when he starts bringing in money, the rent will comprise less of their income than the percentage she stated earlier. Member Murray asked the tenant to describe the interior of the unit. The tenant said that she, her husband, and her daughter were the occupants, and that the interior had broken floor tiles, and multiple different kinds of flooring in various parts of the unit. She said that caulking was excessively used throughout the apartment in place of making needed repairs. Mr. Young said that he was a general contractor and again stated that the tenants did not ask him for repairs. He said he bought the property in 2013. Member Friedman asked the tenant how the landlord could help improve her living situation. Ms. Lorega replied that the landlord was very adversarial, adding that he drove past the property twice a day. She said that when the Rent Program informed the Page 2 of 5 | RentReviewAdvisoryCommittee/2018-02-05.pdf |