“Upgraded Appliances” What does this mean?

In San Francisco most renters ideally want an apartment with an open social kitchen. A kitchen where friends and family can be entertained and enjoy each others company. As such large attractive and upgraded kitchens extending into another room are in huge demand and will secure higher rents or occupancy rates. Great appliances play an important role in this kitchen.

So what is upgraded? When are your seemingly great appliances out of style? In San Francisco, rental housing can be either brand new or comprised of older, historic Edwardian or Victorian charmers. In these older homes ranges can be as old as the house! When communicating with both landlords and tenants we typically utilize a 10 year window to define upgraded. Of course it just about the age since higher quality appliances tend to maintain their style for longer periods of time. For example look at the two Wolf Stoves in the photo associated with this posting. The 2015 version has a lower profile but besides this its an indistinguishable difference.

Fun Facts:

5 years- Number of years ovens in rental homes are depreciated
10-15 years- Number of years most ovens will last. See article
Most appliance companies do not refer to the year a particular unit was manufactured. Just try to look up “10 year old Viking Stove”.

San Francisco Security Deposit Interest Rates

The Current San Francisco Security Deposit Interest is 0.2% for March 2016- February 2017:

The ReLISTO Security Deposit Interest Calculator SF Rental Calculator is for San Francisco landlords and tenants to easily determine the amount of security rent board fees and allowable rent due. Save, email or print results. Summarized below are the interest rates for prior years as well as rules and details of the ordinance.
San Francisco Security Deposit Interest Rates 1983-2017

September 1, 1999- August 31, 20005.0%CalculateSeptember 1, 1998- August 31, 19995.0%CalculateSeptember 1, 1997- August 31, 19985.0%CalculateSeptember 1, 1996- August 31, 19975.0%CalculateSeptember 1, 1995- August 31, 19965.0%CalculateSeptember 1, 1994- August 31, 19955.0%CalculateSeptember 1, 1993- August 31, 19945.0%CalculateSeptember 1, 1992- August 31, 19935.0%CalculateSeptember 1, 1991- August 31, 19925.0%Calculate

Date Range	Interest	Interest Calculator
March 1, 2016- February 28, 2017	0.2%	Calculate
March 1, 2015- February 29, 2016	0.1%	Calculate
March 1, 2014- February 28, 2015	0.3%	Calculate
March 1, 2013- February 28, 2014	0.4%	Calculate
March 1, 2012- February 28, 2013	0.4%	Calculate
March 1, 2011- February 28, 2012	0.4%	Calculate
March 1, 2010- February 28, 2011	0.9%	Calculate
March 1, 2009- February 28, 2010	3.1%	Calculate
March 1, 2008- February 28, 2009	5.2%	Calculate
March 1, 2007- February 29, 2008	5.2%	Calculate
March 1, 2006- February 28, 2007	3.7%	Calculate
March 1, 2005- February 28, 2006	1.7%	Calculate
March 1, 2004- February 28, 2005	1.2%	Calculate
March 1, 2003- February 29, 2004	1.2%	Calculate
August 4, 2002- February 28, 2003	3.4%	Calculate
September 1, 2001- August 03, 2002	5.0%	Calculate
September 1, 2000- August 31, 2001	5.0%	Calculate
September 1, 1990- August 31, 1991	5.0%	Calculate
September 1, 1989- August 31, 1990	5.0%	Calculate
September 1, 1988- August 31, 1989	5.0%	Calculate
September 1, 1987- August 31, 1988	5.0%	Calculate
September 1, 1986- August 31, 1987	5.0%	Calculate
September 1,1985- August 31, 1986	5.0%	Calculate
September 1, 1984- August 31, 1985	5.0%	Calculate
September 1, 1983- August 31, 1984	5.0%	Calculate

The San Francisco Administrative Code requires landlords to pay interest on security deposits held over one year on residential property. Interest payments apply to all residential rental units in San Francisco except for government subsidized properties.

Interest is payable on the tenant’s “annual due date”. If the tenant vacates before one full year of occupancy, no interest is due. Where a tenant vacates after one year of occupancy but before the next annual due date, the interest payment for the partial year period must be pro-rated and calculated using the interest rate in effect on the date the tenant vacates. Generally, the tenant is owed simple interest on their annual due date at the rate in effect when the security deposit interest payment is due. Pursuant to Chapter 49, if interest is owed for multiple years, the interest may not be compounded.

The landlord has the option of paying the security deposit interest to the tenant in the form of either a direct payment or a credit against the tenant’s rent. For units that are covered by the Rent Ordinance and subject to the annual Rent Board fee, Section 37A.6 of the San Francisco Administrative Code allows the landlord to deduct 50% of the annual Rent Board fee from the security deposit interest payment due to the tenant each year.

Security Deposit interest must be paid within two weeks of the date the tenant vacates. However, subject to the limitations and requirements set forth in Section 1950.5(e) of the California Civil Code, a landlord may retain a portion of the unpaid accrued interest where the amount of the security deposit alone is insufficient to cover unpaid rent, repair of damages to the premises caused by the tenant, or necessary cleaning of the premises.

Generally, disputes concerning security deposits or security deposit interest issues are decided in Small Claims Court. The Rent Board does not have jurisdiction over these disputes and the Rent Board staff cannot give legal advice concerning these issues. Please consult an attorney or appropriate agency for specific advice.

Visit the San Francisco Rent Board for Most Current Information

San Francisco Rent Board Fee Amounts Current and Historic

Allowable Rent Board Fees For San Francisco – For 2015 Landlord May Collect $18.50 From Tenant

November 2015- Landlord May Collect $18.50 From Tenant

Total San Francisco Rent Board Fee for the 2016-17 Tax year is $37.00. Chapter 37A of the San Francisco Administrative Code allows the City to collect a per-unit fee for each residential dwelling unit that is subject to the Rent Ordinance. This fee funds the cost of operating the Rent Board. Fee is billed to the landlord each year on the property tax statement. The law permits landlord to collect a portion of the Rent Board fee from those tenants in occupancy as of November 1st of each year. A landlord is allowed to collect 50% of the cost of the fee from the tenant. if you have not collected rent Board fees in the past, you can collect back to 1999.

ReLISTO provide both landlords and tenants a easy to use calculator which makes calculating the rent board fee and security deposit interest a snap. Use the links in the table to visit.

ALLOWABLE RENT BOARD FEE PAYABLE TO LANDLORD

Date Range	Due	Date Payable	Board Fee Calculator
2015-2016	$18.50	Nov 1, 2015	Calculate
2014-2015	$18.00	Nov 1, 2014	Calculate
2013-2014	$14.50	Nov 1, 2013	Calculate
2012-2013	$14.50	Nov 1, 2012	Calculate
2011-2012	$14.50	Nov 1, 2011	Calculate
2010-2011	$14.50	Nov 1, 2010	Calculate
2009-2010	$14.50	Nov 1, 2009	Calculate
2008-2009	$14.50	Nov 1, 2008	Calculate
2007-2008	$13.00	Nov 1, 2007	Calculate
2006-2007	$11.00	Nov 1, 2006	Calculate
2005-2006	$10.00	Nov 1, 2005	Calculate
2004-2005	$11.00	Nov 1, 2004	Calculate
2003-2004	$21.50	Nov 1, 2003	Calculate
2002-2003	$21.50	Nov 1, 2002	Calculate
2001-2002	$16.00	Nov 1, 2001	Calculate
2000-2001	$16.00	Nov 1, 2000	Calculate
1999-2000	$16.00	Nov 1, 1999	Calculate

Certain dwelling units are exempt from the Rent Board fee, including owner-occupied units where no tenants also reside with the owner in the unit. Units where the rent is controlled or regulated by a government agency, including Section 8 certificate and voucher programs administered by the San Francisco Housing Authority, are also exempt from payment of the fee. Refer to Section 37A.1 of the Administrative Code for a complete list of exemptions. Chapter 37A is available for review at the Rent Board’s office. It can also be found on our website at www.sfrb.org.

Landlords may “bank” the Rent Board fee since November 1999 and collect it in a later year. This means that a landlord does not have to collect the fee in the year that it was due, but is entitled to collect the Rent Board fee in later years if they so desire. Banking only applies to fees assessed from November 1999 on. A list of prior Rent Board fees since 1999 is available at the Rent Board’s office and on our website at www.sfrb.org.

Section 37A.6 of the Administrative Code allows the landlord to recover 50% of the Rent Board fee from the tenant by deducting it from the security deposit interest payment due to the tenant each year. If there is no security deposit held by the landlord, then the landlord may bill the tenant directly. Landlords who pay the security deposit interest annually may bill for the Rent Board fee separately rather than deducting it from the interest payment owed.

The billing statement must specifically state the fee amount owed by the tenant for each year and the amount, if any, of security deposit interest due the tenant for each year owing. The bill should also state that the purpose of the fee is to fund the Rent Board, and that the fee is due and payable within 30 days of the date of the bill. Use ReLISTO’s Calculator to print out this summary!