'It's Retaliatory': Elderly SF Couple Fights Eviction from Rent Controlled Apartment of 40 Years 

I wish them the very best!

These living conditions are terrible 😢

I had rented 30 years a 1+1 in Los Feliz right by Observatory. Starting was $525. When I moved out 2 years ago I paid $850. My landlord raised me his 3% rent control increase only a handful of times. All the time I pretended I was paying market rent. Whatever the difference I saved up. I bought a retirement home 2 years ago with cash so I moved out and retired. I never bothered my landlord and stayed low profile. I am thankful for the rent control to enable me to save aggressively over the decades.

Would li w an update on this couple as things progress.

Seeing how the landlord didn’t even fix the heat for years which is against the law, or leaking pipes which can cause mold and disease, it shows the landlord doesn’t care about anyone or anything in that house. This landlord should be in jail, sued, and pay huge to this couple even more so. I hope the Wongs get all the help they need and deserve. If l was rich, ld help them for sure, ld love them as tenants they seem like honest people too.

If the landlord is going to do an ellis act eviction then they need to give 1 year notice along with paying a relocation fee.

Zero maintenance for over a year now is the retaliation for complaining of "cockroaches" in my rented unit. Landlords always gets unaccountable for these offenses. There oughta be a Law. So sorry for this senior couple 😢 They deserve better.

Please follow-up on this story and let us know what happens! Thank you!

It’s just greed, plain and simple. The landlord has already demonstrated an inability be honest and trustworthy. Makes you wonder how many other apartments they’ve illegally jacked up the rent for?

I really hope this wonderful elderly couple wina this battle. 😢❤

America why do you do this to you seniors this is unheard of in other rich countries

I am happy Mrs. Wong's life was saved.

landlords need to lose their rights. why don't we protest this kind of stuff?

Who are these faceless landlords and property owners who hide behind their attorneys? They know what they're doing is wrong. Even if this is related to the housing market and what people are willing to pay, at some point you just can't pay anymore. The money just isn't there. Especially when you're their age. I don't believe they're taking this place off the market for "five years". This makes no sense. Why are they being targeted?

Update us on what happens to them!

Rent control is unfair to young people

Oh Ben n Cat, so sorry to hear your still fighting the landlords. It is good you put this to the news as it may help others in the same situation. I haven't been in touch with you two as my fb was hacked. I love you cuz n Cat.

This is of course only one side of the story. I can tell you at the current 500 dollars rent the landlord is losing money. Property taxes and insurance would cost more then that in SF.

I've know too many people pushed out of rent controlled apartments. To everyone saying why don't they just buy? Who cares. There are reasons you don't need to worry about. They liked their home and chose to stay for 40 years. That says a lot.

What you do is you wait 3 weeks after you send your landlord a letter about the broken heater and then you call a professional to come and fix it and take it off your rent payment

So incredibly sad, praying for your justice in court!

*Understanding Tenant's Rent Withholding Rights in California* *(stop paying rent until HABITABILITY issues are resolved. These are all habitability issues):* -Lack of access to hot, cold, and potable water. -Broken heaters. -Sewage leaks and unusable plumbing. -Broken stairwells, railings, and floors. -Substantial leaks in roofs and windows. -Vermin and pest infestations. -Garbage overflow and unsanitary property conditions. I used to be a property manager, and while I totally sympathize with this nice couple's dilemma, I'm just surprised that in all the years they lived there they did not seek to educate themselves about their rights as tenants in the city of SF... I wonder if they have family. Surely someone -- a family member, a coworker, one of their neighbors -- could have informed them of their rights? I suspect they both just wanted to avoid confrontation; some people are just not built to handle the stress of facing someone who supposedly can rule over your right to a peaceful habitation. They are very soft-spoken and kind... BUT: there comes a time when you need to advocate for yourself and learn what your rights are! This, to me, appears to be long-standing issues ignored by both parties -- the couple's lack of due diligence and the landlord taking advantage of that and ignoring their requests for repairs -- coming to an inevitable head, years and years later. The final showdown, so to speak... But, better late than never...this lovely couple are *finally* standing up for themselves and learning to take control of their lives I say kudos and *DO NOT MOVE!!* Stay right where you are. The odds are highly in your favor that there will be an outcome that will either allow you to continue living in your long-time home with all the necessary repairs plus a settlement, or a settlement substantial enough for you to move wherever you want. I believe the Ellis Act has loopholes and work-arounds; whether this landlord is "bona-fide" in not exploiting the EA remains to be seen... Best of luck. Courage doesn't come just when you feel strong and confident. It also comes when your voice shakes and your palms sweat; when that happens you become a GIANT!

Was the lease for 100 years?

Bless them….. they deserve respect ❣️

Please do a follow up

Born and raised in SF. Most landlords in general, including in SF, are slumlords. But the problem is an American problem, it's not just that there aren't enough rent-controlled homes, it's also that in the US, capitalism is a religion, there are no safeguards or safety nets for the impoverished, including people on fixed income.

The problem with this is, that if they loose this battle, they will have an eviction on their record and no one will rent to them with an eviction on their record.

What a lovely couple. Wishing them the absolute best outcome.

$550 in 1984 is about $1600 today. that extra $500 where i live actually still has some value, but in SF that's probably nothing.

Do not give up or surrender that’s what they want fight till the end & never give up hope. Something good always comes out of something Bad.

1. I feel for the couple, but sr living in someone's house for a long time doesn't make it your house. In the end of the day, you don't own it. The landlord need to pay their bills too. 2. As an Asian, I feel ashamed for their children. Asians always take care of their parents.

Happened almost similar to us. Landlords due whatever they want. They broke the law and find the way to put you out. My Husband and I fixed many things because the landlord didn't. He lied saying he was moving in and that was the reason we have to move and of course it was not true. It was hard because we couldn't afford to pay the rent in other places, were to high. We are already living with relatives what we never did. As elderly people 70 and 60s, we feel disposables. We don't wanna go to lawyers and courts because we don't wanna more stress. I am praying for this couple. God never forsake us.

Awww that’s a sad story ❤

It should be illegal to evict an elderly couple just for claiming their rights. How could some landlords be so shameless?

So many people I know in the same situation. They spent their whole lives in SF renting, then get pushed out by their landlords, and have no equity, nothing in retirement and have to leave the area. It's sad. It's these folks that made SF a great city.

I ❤ this couple. I hope everything works out for them. I would subscribe if they had a RU-vid channel chronicling their experiences through out this process.

I rather purchase a home in the hood rather than rent.

One thing I've learned is your home is where you take it..I'm sure a new place to make your home will come out of this interview👍❤️

Horrible...hope and pray they get treated fairly

I live in Texas in an elderly apartment complex and they raise our rent every time you renew ! I live on only $914.00 a month due to my $73.00 SS raise! My rent went up by $100.00 and also due to this raise my food stamps were lowered by $ 80.00 !

they lived there 40 years ..why did they not buy a dwelling or buy a condo someplace else? price gouging is wrong yes, but the landlord has rights too because if they want to sell their property then they should have to rights to do this as well.

That they did not know about rent control, which had already been in effect by the year they began to live there is sad. They should be paying way less for rent.

You will never win against landlords. It’s all stacked against the renter. This is the way it is.

I WOULD HAVE TAKEN THE $90K AND LEFT!

They got a $28,000 dlls. refund and a $895 a month rent, what else do they want? Currently you can't get A ROOM in a home or apartment for under $1,000 dlls in San Francisco. The owner will not be able to pay property taxes, and expenses out of $550 dlls. a month for rent. With these kind of tenants there will be less housing for rent in San Francisco. I wouldn't own rental property with these tenants and laws, and if I owned it I would sell it immediately because instead of an asset it is a liability...

Good luck to them. The prevailing sentiment is shifting back to the landlords and people are starting not to care about tenants. Landlords are tired of the pandemic protections or rent controlled buildings.

Great News concerning our Ellis Act Eviction case! The Superior court judge made the following ruling against our landlord. "Motion for Summary Judgment is DENIED. Triable issues of fact exist regarding retaliation and bona fide intent to exit the residential market under Drouet." Our Landlord’s attorney contested the ruling and was denied. I’m sure that they didn’t want to face a jury trial and decided to rescind the Ellis Act Eviction Notice and drop the Unlawful Detainer against us. The bottom line is that we get to stay here. 🙏🏼

First they complain that the apartment is such a derelict, broken shit hole, yet, they are fighting to stay there? Make it make sense. The landlord owns the property and is exercising their rights under the Ellis Act. So what’s the matter here? Sure, it sucks for the couple, but that’s what happens you rent. Renters don’t get to decide what other people do with their property.

Hopefully their kids can take them in. For $2,100 mon, they can rent a larger home with a yard in the central valley like Lathrop or Manteca which is 1 hour away. There are options. San Fran is just too expensive.

Never be a landlord in San Francisco

Thanks Gavin!!!!

2,100 a month in rent in 2019. That's f'n ridiculous. That's no mansion on its own lot. That's nut to butt on top of one another packed in like sardines. Pipes leaking, no heat, hole in a wall. Why are they even paying rent? Scumbag landlords from California are doing this all over Oregon also. It's ridiculous. High rents,refuse to fix anything. Leave everything up to Tenants. It's insane.

That's insane that the city thinks that someone can be a LL in SF with only $500/month in revenue. No wonder they are getting out of the business. I'd sell it too.

I hope the court also charges for retroactive damages. The landlord was knowingly over-charging rent for years, and he was not providing a healthy and livable residence for years. I say I hope the court throws the book at the landlord, and then calls him back and....hits him with it again!

What was the outcome of this case and how long did it last?

About time you cover what is important

There is special rent control mandates that protect people who have lived in places for a certain amount of time and are of a certain age. It’s illegal rent increases and eviction due to retaliation. If they want to pull and Ellis Act then for up to 5 years that building can’t be on the market or rented to anyone except the landlords family. Then there is other laws that kick in to get the original tenants to come back.

No heat, water leaks, drywall ruined, and they want to fight to stay there, pay high rent. Crazy.

this country has changed so much , we lost the nation to corporations

Criminal. Sounds unlawful.

This couple doesn’t make sense. If they had such a terrible landlord, and their home is in such terrible condition, why not just move? I understand that moving is not always an option, but in this case it is 100% justified. Why risk their health and the health of their family to stay with a landlord that’s clearly a crook? Also they’ve had 40 years, why haven’t they buy a house? These old fools are holding on to the nostalgia of the past, insisting on living somewhere they’re not welcome, and making themselves and everyone else miserable in the process.

Why are the owners of the building allowed to get away with not fixing things? There is hardly any protection as a renter and pretty much zero consequences for the owner being outright neglectful of the property. I feel bad for this couple they have just been screwing them over for years

$550 a month for an apartment in san fran....no wonder the landlords are taking the unit off the market.

Surely the landlord has been aware of the rent control law, but simply did not honor it, even raising the rent above the cost of inflation. Adjusted for inflation $550.00 in 1984 would be $1353 in 2019, a far cry from $2,100. Bless the Wongs, maybe they won't make any landlord wealthy, but sometimes money is the cheapest thing we have.

All good things must come to an end unfortunately. Especially if you don't own the property. The property owner has the rights too.

I heard that in California there is housing program for elderly or low income people ,why didn't they apply for that ,

I don’t know who the land going to rent to when the businesses in San Francisco area are not doing good. The tech companies laid off massive of people.

The landlord is very rotten, mean !! They're senior citizens, nice friendly couple. Why are you evicting them and increasing so much rent ! I would prefer to rent to elderly couple, than noisy people or don't have the rent and give landlords a hard time!!

How come the Landlord did not offer them a deal they could not refuse, A relocation fee given and added monies for pain and suffering. I hope the judge does it for them..We treat our elderly horrible here in the States, sad...In some Countries their elderly are treated like gold, respected to the highest level.

It’s probably all comes down to money…for 40+ years of rent wow

Keep fighting! Terrible landlord! Shame on you.

Is there a Go Fund Me account for these poor people living in the freezing cold and having to tolerate a huge hole in one wall. There's a special place in H@ll for evil slumlords that treat elderly people this way.

These situations are so complex. Can a couple renting an apartment be shielded from inflation and long-term maintenance expenses? $500/month is an insane monthly rent for the area and unfair to the landlord. The landlord's expenses (property tax, insurance, etc.) have not been fixed during their rental period. Of course the couple is on fixed income but that does not entitle them to live in one of the most expensive cities into perpetuity. The landlord should not be required to make improvements when their rent is so far below market rate. Are the couple still pay the same for food, clothes, and other services as they did when they moved in? Of course not. The landlord cannot make improvements with them living in the apartment and never leaving. Sadly, there is probably no place they can rent in the area on their fixed income. Reality should have hit them 20 years ago and that was the time they should have moved to a place they could actually afford but they were in denial and did not want to make a hard decision.

My thoughts are with them

That's really messed up what's happening to them.

And the name of the LANDLORDS is what?? What person or corporation??

What's better than rent control? A market in which landlords have to compete against each other for tenants, instead of the other way around. How do you create that sort of market? Not by making it less attractive to supply accommodation (which is what rent control does), but by making it less attractive NOT to-with a tax on vacant lots and unoccupied buildings. The "vacancy tax", as it is sometimes called, is not limited to what real-estate agents call vacancies, i.e. properties available for rent; it also applies to vacant lots and empty properties that are not on the rental market, and prompts the owners to get them occupied in order to avoid the tax. Yes, a vacant-property tax is meant to be AVOIDED. It's not meant to be paid. Better still, avoidance of it would generate economic activity, expanding the bases of other taxes and allowing their rates to be reduced, so that everyone else-including tenants, home owners, and landlords with tenants-would pay LESS tax!

Why isn't anyone talking about how a landlord can leave a rental unit vacant for up to 5 YEARS! 😲

You know rent control doesn't mean you're paying market price? So who is paying the taxes and where is the money for the upkeep of the property coming from? Everything is going up every year. It's hard on everyone.

Where are the kids they raised? Come take care of your parents at least

Just leave SF. It's too expensive for most of us. Yes it sucks. Life goes on.

Messed up smh...shame on these landlords

Why are they shocked? As a landlord I can decide whatever I want to do with my properties. I don’t care if you have medical issues like heart attacks or going through chemo or whatever financial issues

$2,100 is a steal for San Francisco, but i get they are on fixed income. No landlord could afford renting there for $550 though. Its a no win situation:/

How did you get that house for $550? More than 25 years ago i was paying $650 for a small room and i was living alone? Wow! These people have good connections.

They need to contact fair housing. And, they will help them.

God Bless the Wong's always and a swift and satisfactory resolution to this housing battle.

I left SF years ago. You couldn’t pay me to live in those dumps. Right now, their rent is more than my mortgage, including taxes and insurance. People need to realize the world is bigger than SF.

If you want to fully control a property, you have to be the owner. Then there's nothing to complain about and no one can make you leave.

Even if it’s legal, doesn’t mean it’s right! The world is just getting greedier and greedier! This city just keeps getting so depressing and empty.

Something’s off. This couple lives in one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the US. When they signed that lease 40 years ago, $550/mo was a big number. We’re not seeing the whole story.

I live at a bedroom in a YMCA building and I do not have rent increases EVER. And I can pay with my credit card each week with no LEASE. Utilities and club membership is included with my rent. I only keep things I use and no junk.

How can $500 a month even cover property tax? There needs to be a happy medium.

People must realize that rent is only temporary not permanent so it took 40 years catch up to them

Can't they protest this along with their neighbors this is totally in just God I pray you open the door for this couple to have a place that is affordable and not with heating problems or any problems

$550 won’t get you rent anywhere in California for a 2 bedroom apartment. Yea it sucks, but times change and perhaps it is time for their adult kids to help.

I had a landlord started out who never fixed anything, leaks it was freezing in the winter and he used to not stop by for months on end, I used to hold all those months and pay him when I saw him, I had to fix my own apartment and the lady under me, I was lucky it was a two flat, my rent was 275.00 and I had to pay for my own heat and such. It's how I saved for the down payment of my house. I lived in a poor area with high crime in a dump and saved for my house. However my neighborhood now just gotten worse, crime is high but having a house paid for is keeping me here. Either way when I die the neighbor who happens to rent at the time whom ever it may be will get my house free and clear, the neighbor across the street did this, the renter next door was shocked, she got a house for free! I don't have kids so this is my plan, or donate it to my city even though I do not like my city what will I care I will be dead?

Tell them to come out to Sacramento! Rents are a bit more reasonable!

Can you imagine if they would have bought a house in 1984? All the money they wasted in rent over 40 years.

This is why you buy property for your children, as soon as possible. Always try own property. Even if it's 3 families under one roof. The equity allows all 3 families to buy another home. Suffer for 10 years. It sucks but that's how get ahead being poor, team up with other poor people