Rent Control question in Oakland, CA

[Justin Mancherje]

I have been reading up a lot about rent control and just cause eviction in Oakland and I am trying to verify information I have gathered.

I am contemplating purchasing a triplex in Oakland California. It currently has 2 units occupied and 1 unit unoccupied. The units are currently protected under rent control and the rent is far below market value and without an increase the property will not be financially viable. I read this on a site about just cause eviction: "People who live in single-family homes, units built since 1983, and owner-occupied buildings with 3 or fewer units are NOT covered by rent control. If you live in one of these types of units, your landlord can raise your rent at any time."

If I purchase the triplex and move into the unoccupied unit the property will then be owner occupied. Will it effectively remove the rent control on the other units? Or does this rule only apply to new tenants?

[Felix Stuckey]

Provided the information of a Triplex (legal) was bought and occupied by the owner for at least a year, then the rent restrictions would be removed under the conditions described. There are however, other considerations like when notices have to be given tenants, and the length of time they have been tenants, and length of existing leases. Stephen is correct its worth legal advise and clarification. Owner occupied vs. non-owner occupied is the key.