SAN FRANCISCO, CA – A Richmond District family is facing displacement after the new owners of their apartment building issued a massive rent hike that nearly doubles their monthly housing costs.
An Overnight Crisis for Local Parents
Zachary and Ashley Waldman moved into their two-bedroom Richmond District apartment in 2021 to start a family. Their 19-month-old son, Henry, has spent his entire life in the unit and attends a subsidized local daycare nearby.
The family’s stability was shattered last Friday when they found a notice posted on their door. The new landlord informed them that their monthly rent will skyrocket to $7,000 starting this September.
From $3,500 to $7,000
When the Waldmans initially signed their lease, they paid close to $3,500. After a few minor increases over the years, their current rent sits at nearly $3,700. The upcoming jump represents an almost 90% increase.
“I could cry right now, I’ve been doing a lot of crying,” Ashley Waldman said, emphasizing how safe and comfortable they have felt in the neighborhood. “This is our home, so it’s been really difficult.”
Loophole Exploited by New Ownership
The building was purchased by new owners toward the end of May. According to the notice delivered to the family, the property is allegedly exempt from certain city and state rent control laws that typically protect tenants from extreme price hikes.
Housing advocates frequently warn that newer buildings or specific single-family home conversions can bypass local tenant protections, leaving long-term residents vulnerable to rapid displacement. The Waldmans are now left scrambling to figure out their next steps before the September deadline.
