'soft' rental market?

[an-art-worker.livejournal.com]

So I rent in Davis not far from the Rosebud (I like it - but I never expect 'cuisine' - it's just a diner. Never had anything but good service. I do miss the restaurant that used to be behind Rosebud - what a great secret spot that was for a meal or a drink).

Anyway... my lease is coming up in a month and I am prepping for the go-round with my cash-in 'elderly' landlord (she regales me of how hard her life is and then hits me up with absurd rent increases - or doesn't remember what we agreed upon and then jacks it).


So I am paying $1200. for a 1 bedroom (first floor - no porch - no parking) - though she claims it is a 2 bedroom. It is a 2 bedroom only if you get a curtain for the arched living room entrance or a door for the middle/dining room and don't mind someone walking through your bedroom to get to the true bedroom. In other words, this is a 1 bedroom with a dining room that can't be used as a bedroom.

I've been here a long time and have put up with a lot (or rather - have tolerated a lot of not fixing up). On the plus side, it's close to everything, my cat can go out, I have a washer/dryer hookup. A couple of years ago I was going to move but she offered to redo the bathroom and did, so I stayed. Last year I was going to move but she offered to repaint the place, and did: bringing in this painter SWAT team (who pinched my espresso pot) but ok. So here we are again. The kitchen is old. OLD I tell you! I mean linoleum peeling under foot old. No cabinets (though there is a pantry). Old sink. Mainly the floor bugs me.

What I don't know: is this market rate? I've been in some rehabbed places around here and f@@#$ing hell - I feel like a sucker for putting up with this. Inertia.

So I've been perusing the CL apt ads but I can't tell condition. Do you have a $1200. 4 room place in great condition? Maybe I can get them to whittle it down to $1000? Or do I go 'round again and just deal with the state of things.

group mind....... it's always reliable ;-)

Comments

[chenoameg.livejournal.com]

Regardless of what's in your lease, the landlord is required by the state sanitary code to maintain the apartment in good repair.

[turil.livejournal.com]

Yes, peeling flooring in the kitchen is a big violation of code. Also, a bedroom is only a legal bedroom if it has a closet (and at least one window). The more you know your rights, the more respect you'll get, and the less landlords will try and get away with in general.

Oh, and we are being way, way overcharged for our large one bedroom, in not very good condition, at $1300. But we're moving anyway (landlady is selling the place) so we're hoping to find another decent sized place for much less.