pages: RentReviewAdvisoryCommittee/2018-10-01.pdf, 5
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RentReviewAdvisoryCommittee | 2018-10-01 | 5 | Approved Minutes October 1, 2018 7-B. CASE 1103 - 1507 Lincoln Ave. Tenant: Rosemary Esmedina, accompanied by ARC member Brad Hirn Landlords: Robert Rowe, Stacey Rowe Proposed rent increase: $500.00 (50.0%), effective October 28, 2018 Mr. Rowe said that the subject property, a single family house, was originally owned by his grandmother. He said the house was now held in trust to provide income for the benefit of his sister, who had considerable medical needs. Ms. Rowe said that he and Ms. Rowe had unsuccessfully tried to come to an agreement concerning the amount of the increase with the tenants. Ms. Rowe said they offered to lower the increase to $300 per month, bringing the monthly rent to $1,300. She said that if they had increased the rent by 5% per year in previous years, the tenant's current rent would be just a little less than this, but they did not know that more frequent incremental increases were preferable to fewer larger increases. She said that part of the reason they were increasing the rent was to ensure they had money to keep up the unit. Ms. Esmedina said that the requested increase would create a financial hardship and displace her. She said she was permanently disabled and receives SSI income of about $1,219 per month, and that about 82% of her income goes toward rent. She said the increased amount would account for about 120% of her income. She said the lights in part of the house flicker sometimes and she uses candles and flashlights when this happens. She proposed a $50 (5.0%) rent increase and said she believes she has been a good tenant and has maintained the home to the best of her ability. Vice Chair Murray asked the landlords what impact not getting an increase to $1,300 would have on them. Mr. Rowe said that they not be able to generate income from the property and Ms. Rowe added that the purpose of keeping the home was to generate money to support Mr. Rowe's sister, her sister-in-law, adding that selling the house was not something they were considering. They said the house was held in trust by Mr. Rowe for his sister's benefit and they were working on improving her health to get her back to work following an injury that caused her to stop working 10 months ago. Member Sullivan-Cheah went over the landlords' expenses in repairing and maintaining the property and verified them. Member Griffiths asked Ms. Esmedina what would happen to her if future increases came in the years to follow and she said she did not know what she would do. Vice Chair Murray asked if she had family in the area and she said she did, but did not think they would be able to help her. Member Sullivan-Cheah asked if Ms. Esmedina had considered obtaining a roommate for the second bedroom in the home. She said it would not be ideal as she had lived Page 5 of 7 | RentReviewAdvisoryCommittee/2018-10-01.pdf |