What you need to know if you want to live in San Francisco

“How much are you paying?” is a common question heard here over dinner, on dates, or at work. Your monthly rent, a topic considered too sensitive to discuss in many states, has become the norm for conversation in San Francisco. And this is fair: most of the salaries of city residents go to pay rent, the cost of which is growing every year.

Фото: Depositphotos

But there is a way to reduce this fear, or even get rid of it, writes SF Curbed. Below you will find everything you need to know about renting in San Francisco, starting with an honest walkthrough on how to find an apartment. Good luck.

How to find an apartment

1. Set a budget. Plan to pay more than in any other city in the country, including New York. But this does not mean that reasonable expectations are impossible. A one-bedroom apartment here costs an average of $ 3,520 per month. But there are options for $ 2,440. Consider the security deposit, the first (and sometimes the last) month of the lease, and the non-refundable application fee.

2. Select a district. If you can afford to be picky, choose neighborhoods near your job, BART/Muni line or preferred entertainment spots (eg Dolores Park, Chestnut Street), or areas with cultural features you like, such as the Castro or Mission.

3. Have realistic expectations. Not everyone will be able to live in an ideal area like NoPa or Hayes Valley, two expensive neighborhoods that are popular among wealthy millenials. Given the small housing stock and high prices, the battle for rent is sometimes fierce (some even offer to pay for half a year right away). Therefore, do not limit yourself to one area, look more broadly.

4. Find an apartment. Put down your phone and close your laptop and take a walk (Nob Hill, Tenderloin, and Tendernob are good places to start.) The Internet is your second resource. In addition to searching Craigslist, check out reliable alternative sources such as Apartments.com, Zumper, Apartment list, Padmapper, Hotpads, Roomiematch, Roomster и Facebook's Marketplace.

5. Brokers. You do not need them. Unlike New York, tenants in San Francisco are self-sufficient. But if you have a lot of money and you are new, you can use third-party services.

6. Credit rating. You will need a solid figure. Almost every homeowner will ask for a credit check before considering you as a potential tenant. Keep in mind that a few credit checks can lower your credit rating, so contact only the owners of the apartments that you really like.

7. Pets. Not all buildings can live with pets, and in some only cats or dogs are allowed. Keep this in mind in advance: it is never a good thing to take a pet to a shelter for rent.

8. Apply now. Sometimes timing is everything. Those who wake up early will quickly move into a cozy two-bedroom apartment on the top floor of a Victorian house. Have key information ready, such as the phone number of your employer as well as previous landlords.

Фото: Depositphotos

How the rental control works

Finding and renting a rent-controlled apartment in San Francisco is like pulling a lucky ticket. Rate controlled homes are mostly multi-story buildings built before 1979. In this case, there are limits on how much the rent can be raised each year. For example, from March 1, 2018 to February 28, 2019, rent may increase total 1,6 percent for such units. This means that the tenant pays a lot less than he could if the rent is not fixed.

For apartments not subject to rent control, owners can raise the rent to any number. A fixed tenancy also acts as protection against eviction - the list of reasons why such an apartment can be evicted is very short.

You have signed a lease. Now what?

1. Make a deposit. It can be any amount that a landlord would call, from a couple hundred dollars to two months' rent. Amounts must be kept in escrow, with interest paid annually.

2. Know your rights. Examine information about San Francisco Tenant Union, a non-profit organization protecting the rights of tenants.

3. Look for flatmates. Sometimes you need to find them before you sign the contract. It is important to know that the landlord cannot raise the rent when you have a neighbor, but may request a rent increase for additional operating expenses.

4. Make sure there is no problem in the apartment. If you find them, talk to the landlord verbally, then send him a later question description. If you need to file a complaint, you can contact Rental Agency, a national rental service that helps tenants with landlord / manager problems.

5. Eviction. You can be evicted for a variety of violations—failure to pay, illegal use of the home, causing damage to the premises, and much more. Remember: you are living on someone else's property and you must respect it. For more information read the SFTU section about evictions.

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