Way Around Rent Control?

[GottaGo]

What is the name of your state? NJ

I live in a town where vacancy de-control was recently passed. This means that while I occupy my apt it remains under rent-control. This also means that my landlord would much rather I no longer occupy this apt so he can rent it to someone else for 'whatever price can be agreed upon'.

I have lived in my apt for 7 years, well before the passing of this new ordinance. The original lease was for 22-months, after which I was put on a month-to-month basis. Each May I receive a new mini-lease which details my new rent and states that I will be on a month-to-month basis.

The property where I live was recently purchased by 'Home Properties'. I received a letter from them - it looks like a permission slip from my sons's school for a trip to the zoo - stating my new rent and that my new lease will be from 05/01/07 thru 05/10/08.
It also asks that I sign the form below and return it to the mgmt office asap.

The permission slip gives me 5 options:

- Renew lease for 12 mos at above rate
- Renew lease for 3 mos at above rate + addl $300/mo
- Renew lease for 6 mos at above rate + addl $200/mo
- Renew lease on month-to-month basis at above rate + 10% addl/mo
- Do not renew lease


Can they do this? Why can I not continue on a s a month-to-month tenant with the just the allowed increase?

This seems like a sneaky way around rent-control.

This complex used to allow people to have cats. But they changed the rules so that cats were no longer allowed. Those residents who had cats prior to the change were allowed to keep their pets - they were 'grandfatherd' in. Don't I fall into that category?

Advice?

Thanks!

 

[Cvillecpm]

You should review the new oridinance and determine which option would be best for you financially if you wish to remain at the property.

The options they have provided may well be reflective of your being "grandfathered in".

 

[Alaska landlord]

It may seem unfair to you, but from the LL’s point of view they are in the business to make as much profit as the market allows. After all isn’t that the whole point of renting?

 

[GottaGo]

Of course, I know they want to make as much profit as possible, but that doesn't mean they don't have to follow the law. This is the 2nd largest property owner in NJ and you are telling me they didn't know they have to provide me 60 days notice prior to an increase and do so on a specific form?
If they aren't doing that then everything else is suspect, too.

I don't have a problem paying the standard increase. I do have a problem being bullied into a new 12 month lease when I have been a month-to-month tenant for 5 years.

 

[Alaska landlord]

Maybe I am missing something, but where in your original post did you say that you were not given a 60 day notice. From what you have posted remaining as a month to month tenant is still an option with a 10% increase.

 

[acmb05]

Maybe I am missing something, but where in your original post did you say that you were not given a 60 day notice. From what you have posted remaining as a month to month tenant is still an option with a 10% increase.

I think he is referring to this:

The property where I live was recently purchased by 'Home Properties'. I received a letter from them - it looks like a permission slip from my sons's school for a trip to the zoo - stating my new rent and that my new lease will be from 05/01/07 thru 05/10/08.

Since he just received it and it goes into affect so soon that would not be enough notice.

 

[acmb05]

What is the name of your state? NJ

I live in a town where vacancy de-control was recently passed. This means that while I occupy my apt it remains under rent-control. This also means that my landlord would much rather I no longer occupy this apt so he can rent it to someone else for 'whatever price can be agreed upon'.

I have lived in my apt for 7 years, well before the passing of this new ordinance. The original lease was for 22-months, after which I was put on a month-to-month basis. Each May I receive a new mini-lease which details my new rent and states that I will be on a month-to-month basis.

The property where I live was recently purchased by 'Home Properties'. I received a letter from them - it looks like a permission slip from my sons's school for a trip to the zoo - stating my new rent and that my new lease will be from 05/01/07 thru 05/10/08.
It also asks that I sign the form below and return it to the mgmt office asap.

The permission slip gives me 5 options:

- Renew lease for 12 mos at above rate
- Renew lease for 3 mos at above rate + addl $300/mo
- Renew lease for 6 mos at above rate + addl $200/mo
- Renew lease on month-to-month basis at above rate + 10% addl/mo
- Do not renew lease


Can they do this? Why can I not continue on a s a month-to-month tenant with the just the allowed increase?

This seems like a sneaky way around rent-control.

This complex used to allow people to have cats. But they changed the rules so that cats were no longer allowed. Those residents who had cats prior to the change were allowed to keep their pets - they were 'grandfatherd' in. Don't I fall into that category?

Advice?

Thanks!

Ok a new owner has bought the property. With proper notice they can change the rules on you. This new owner requires a lease be signed. If you have a problem with that then move. So what is the problem? Are you just not sure you wil be there that long. They are giving you plenty of options so pick one.

 

[Alaska landlord]

I think he is referring to this:

Since he just received it and it goes into affect so soon that would not be enough notice.

The question remaining is how long has he been sitting on the notice.

 

[acmb05]

The question remaining is how long has he been sitting on the notice.

Your right, I ASSumed he just got it within a day or two of posting.

 

[home*sweet*home]

Sounds as if they are giving you a LOT of options. Remember as new owner they probably paid far more for the property, have a bigger note or expenses, etc.

Stuff goes up. Gas goes up, electricity goes up, etc.

They are not trying to get you out. THey are actually trying to get you to commit to a year's lease, and if you won't, they've given you a bunch of options.

I don't understand your issue.