San Francisco landlord speaks out over 400 percent increase

Wednesday, March 18, 2015
San Francisco landlord speaks out over 400 percent increase
7 On Your Side talked briefly with the attorney for landlord Nadia Lama who didn't want to comment, but instead said Lama posted comments on her Facebook page.

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- A woman's 400 percent rent increase in San Francisco has gone viral nationwide.

7 On Your Side talked briefly with the attorney for landlord Nadia Lama who didn't want to comment, but instead said Lama posted comments on her Facebook page.

Lama shared her tenant Deb Follingstad's Facebook post and the letter announcing a rent increase of $8,900 a month. Lama posted on Facebook, "This is all over the Internet and I cannot comment, but I know my friends know the truth and I pray greedy is a word that never has and never will apply to me."

"If a landlord can do this to circumvent rent control then I think it sets a horrible precedent. So we are asking the city attorney to look into what the city can do whether its legally, but also through legislation," San Francisco Supervisor David Campos said.

VIDEO: Legality of Bernal Heights resident's staggering rent increase questioned

Follingstad has lived in the Bernal Heights rented home for more than 10 years.

She has already begun to pack her belongings because she can't afford to pay $8,900 monthly rent.

The home is registered with the city as a single family unit, but Follingstad says another tenant lived downstairs in an illegal in-law unit.

That tenant moved out and that's when Lama hit her with a rent increase.

Stay with 7 On Your Side for more updates on this story.

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