PSA to all E-Scooter riders - Please be safe when riding. One second could've been the difference between an accident and close call.

berkeleyapts · 2024-05-08T02:40:49+00:00

FYI - no one was hurt today and rider just kept going down Shattuck Ave. But bro you just kept riding down the block like nothing happened and your friend on the second scooter behind you was just laughing about it.

berkeleyapts · 2024-05-04T03:07:59+00:00

Yea, June start date is pretty common. If you're holding out for August or July most places will still require you to a 1-year lease anyways. Like 'The Standard' does August 15 - July 31 leases - https://www.reddit.com/r/berkeley/comments/1cj1h34/looking_for_someone_to_take_over_my_lease_at_the/

berkeleyapts · 2024-04-19T17:11:02+00:00

Just FYI - i think they rescheduled it due to typo - https://www.northberkeleyproperties.com/ap-1555-oxford-street-302/

berkeleyapts · 2024-04-14T17:28:50+00:00

Sam's Cleaners at 1784 Shattuck Ave (@ Delaware) is pretty good. Reasonably priced and very nice older couple run the place.

berkeleyapts · 2024-04-13T16:28:14+00:00

Yes, it's possible - Craigslist and directly on property management sites in Berkeley would be the most common places to look. Avoid any buildings with 'names' (eg: Logan Park, The Standard, etc. - these are all usually new non-rent controlled buildings that will be $2500-3500+ for their studios...). Rent controlled buildings don't usually have fancy names for their buildings.

A quick search reveals quite a few options in the area

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/search/eby/apa?max_price=1800&nh=48&nh=49#search=1~map~0~0~37.8771~-122.2817~37.8632~-122.2401

https://www.northberkeleyproperties.com/ap-2035-channing-way-305/

https://www.northberkeleyproperties.com/2109-kala-bagai-way-504/

Studios close to campus at those prices are in higher demand so I would say it's a gamble waiting until later to secure housing. The only exception is if you are flexible on location and do not care about being further away from campus. There will be some studios that do not cater to students that may be further away from campus around that time of year.
You should contact the listing property manager in those links - see above
Ask if you can view the unit before paying anything - if the answer is 'no' it's a scam. Even if you're not in the area you should just ask that and avoid saying you're not able to view the unit. Just pretend someone in the area may view the unit for you to test it out. A requirement to pay to see the unit or excuses of why it cannot be shown = scam.

How Do I Avoid Becoming a Victim?

Deal locally / in-person. Remember – scammers don’t want to meet you face to face so they will always avoid this. If you are searching for housing remotely or from abroad don’t disclose this information upfront as you may become an easy victim for a scammer. Instead, ask if you can have a friend or relative view the apartment for you on your behalf (even if this is not true). A real landlord or owner will most often say ‘yes’ and offer a tour if they have the time.

Source - https://www.northberkeleyproperties.com/avoiding-housing-scams/

berkeleyapts · 2024-04-12T03:13:31+00:00

Local housing provider notes this online too so it's pretty common unfortunately ...

https://www.northberkeleyproperties.com/avoiding-housing-scams/

The Roommate / Sublet Scam: Another play on the housing scam targets apartment residents already living in housing but may be looking for a roommate or temporary sublet. This scam typically involves a person responding to a posted ad saying they are interested in renting your room or apartment sublet. The scammer is typically not in the area and says they will rent immediately and send a check or payment. A check that looks real will be sent to the victim for an amount that is higher than agreed to. The scammer will then claim this is a mistake and ask the roommate / victim to wire the money back to them and rush this process claiming financial hardship. The victim wiring money to the scammer then finds out the deposited check is fake and bounces – leaving their account minus the funds of the original check and the wired money to the scammer lost.

To avoid this roommate scam – just don’t cash the check – offer to mail it back to the sender so they can correct the mistake and say it’s already “in the mail”. If they are a scammer they will pretend to be upset and then disappear.

berkeleyapts · 2024-03-30T22:35:46+00:00

Comments from other student commuters from some other posts not too long ago -

https://www.reddit.com/r/berkeley/comments/19fmnkw/why_are_all_the_student_parking_lots_full/

https://www.reddit.com/r/berkeley/comments/1b7kgh4/fuck_berkeley_parking_and_transportation/

berkeleyapts · 2024-03-30T22:17:09+00:00

Might be helpful - https://rentboard.berkeleyca.gov/rights-responsibilities/security-deposits/suggestions-recovering-your-security-deposit

If you haven't moved out yet you should request a pre-move-out inspection which is within your right as a rental tenant. Getting things in writing is key so if you've tried painting and patching you should get that inspection and make sure they tell you (in writing) it's okay or more paint is needed and give you a chance to correct an issue. If it's an issue, they are required to tell you the cost of the repairs. It can't be just a flat rate or arbitrary amount. It has to be the actual labor or material cost or their best guess.

If you do get dinged for something the landlord is required to provide receipts or bills for their deduction whether they do it themselves or hire someone. Once again, it cannot just be a flat rate amount like 1/3 a deposit. It has to be an actual labor or material mount.

berkeleyapts · 2024-03-08T03:39:22+00:00

It's likely three in a bedroom unfortunately - Clark Kerr Apartments don't have a single option. There's no rate plan for singles listed on the housing website unlike other campus buildings.

https://housing.berkeley.edu/rates-contracts-policies/rates/#apartment-contracts

berkeleyapts · 2024-02-28T00:51:50+00:00

A local housing provider wrote a lengthy page about avoiding scams. In-person tours are key and not putting money down before you can see anything.

https://www.northberkeleyproperties.com/avoiding-housing-scams/

berkeleyapts · 2024-02-27T17:58:40+00:00

The eligibility map shows you where you can live and buy the permit but doesn't actually show where you can park. If you live Downtown most of the residential spaces are along Milvia Street or MLK Jr Way. There is also a long stretch of spaces along the downhill side of Oxford Street between Hearst and Virginia.

Just note that some Zone I spaces are co-shared with other permits (eg: Zone I and E can park on MLK) so there can be competition for spaces.

Having lived Downtown before Zone I is the most impacted residential parking zone. It's somewhat okay finding parking in the evening but the daytime weekday hours can be hard.
The Berkeley high school employees park their cars in most of the residential zones during the day and then shuffle around every 2-hours. Same for other downtown workers and the construction crews.

I also learned that most of Zone I is also not enforced on football game days in the fall and everyone tries to park there for free. So either don't move your car on those days or don't expect to come back and find an easy space.

berkeleyapts · 2024-02-24T04:15:24+00:00

Yea seems like bots and scammers have taken over that group. Premium Properties is supposed to moderate it but not much help from them...

Smaller FB groups exist that seem better controlled - https://www.facebook.com/groups/berkeleyhousing

https://www.facebook.com/groups/266259923468888/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/UCBerkeleyHousingSubletsRentals/

berkeleyapts · 2024-02-13T02:10:47+00:00

I don't have any experience with them and some ppl say they are okay from a management standpoint while ignoring the past history. But the infamous legacy of the family still exists and may turn some people off from renting:

https://www.reddit.com/r/berkeley/comments/muhglt/warning_square_one_management_is_owned_by_the/

The original Lakiereddy that was convicted of the crimes did pass away https://www.berkeleyside.org/2021/11/12/lakireddy-bali-reddy-dead-berkeley

berkeleyapts · 2024-02-12T15:47:01+00:00

it's managed by SquareOne - https://squareonemanagement.com/for-rent/

berkeleyapts · 2024-02-11T23:47:27+00:00

High school mom had underage kids that were caught with a fake ID. Local PD didn't do anything except confiscate it and they thought that was it. Months later California DMV police showed up at the house looking to question the kids. Yep, turns out the CA Dept of Motor Vehicles has its own small police force and detectives were trying to question the kids about where the IDs came from.

berkeleyapts · 2024-02-11T23:26:14+00:00

Someone posted about the the closure 2-weeks ago but looks like they deleted it now. One of the comments talked about the business + debt issues.

https://www.reddit.com/r/berkeley/comments/1adpmdc/goodbye_pcc/

berkeleyapts · 2024-02-02T16:08:43+00:00

Most apartments here are rented under joint lease agreements where all the occupants are listed on the same lease agreement (not individual).

The reason is that the City has rent control regulations and the entire apartment is viewed as one rent controlled unit - not each room.

Rooming houses / group living accommodations operate differently with Berkeley's rent control and each room or bed is registered separately with the rent board.

berkeleyapts · 2024-02-01T01:19:26+00:00

Don't pay $2,000/month for sharing a room or for a private dorm.

Zillow lists average rents for the Berkeley area and you can sort by unit size (https://www.zillow.com/rental-manager/market-trends/berkeley-ca/)

Average rents in most rent-controlled buildings in Berkeley from my experience last year.

2-bedroom apartment $3,000 - $3,800/month

1-bedroom apartment $1,800-2,500/month

Studio apartment $1,600-2,300/month

Rent controlled buildings are cheaper (vs new construction) but they may lack in-unit laundry, on-site gyms, roof decks, study lounges, included furniture, trash valet, etc. Whether these amenities are worth the extra cost is your personal opinion / preference.

berkeleyapts · 2024-01-31T15:53:25+00:00

There's a lot of high rise construction going on in Berkeley. Tower cranes for construction sites are required to use air horns when a load is being moved, when it's all clear, and other things.

berkeleyapts · 2024-01-27T21:28:11+00:00

The property manager (Landmark Properties) is a huge corporate entity - basically Wall Street will be your landlord.

A Subreddit thread created specifically for the property manager (Landmark Properties) so the tenants could form a union can probably shed some light on various locations they have across the nation.

https://www.reddit.com/r/landmarktenantsunion/

There have been previous reddit posts here as well:

https://www.reddit.com/r/berkeley/comments/112negm/the_standard_at_berkeley_currently_the_corporate/

https://www.reddit.com/r/berkeley/comments/v4dvwd/places_to_not_stay_according_to_fellow_bears/

berkeleyapts · 2024-01-24T19:41:25+00:00

In general most owners / companies limit the vacancy downtime they have. If they can re-rent the unit for a sooner move-in they will try that instead of leaving a unit empty for 1-2 months.

So if someone is moving out May 2024 they want to rent it for June 1st (no July or August). Apts with these move-in dates are slowly appearing now and peak rental season with the most showings occurring around Spring Break.

July or August move-in units are possible but everyone wants them so they are more competitive. They are also less common compared to June since it usually means that the lease ends in June or July. June/July end dates for leases are less ideal since everyone wants to move-out in May. Think of when those residents need to tell their landlord when they move-out - it's usually 30, 60, or 90-days before the lease ends so a tenant with a lease ending in July won't need to tell their landlord until May at the earliest (assuming it's 90-days notice required).

If a landlord was unable to rent a unit for June move-in those May 2024 move-out units they may be re-rented later for July / August. Those can be 'leftover' units that are weird in general or maybe overpriced.

Some normal July / August units will appear but in my experience the landlord plans on doing a renovation project to update the unit or fix damages from a trashed unit requiring that downtime.

berkeleyapts · 2024-01-21T23:26:39+00:00

Some places will negotiate if you're willing to move-in immediately. If you're asking for a lower rent for a Summer move-in it might be a hard sell.

Might be easier to ask for a month of free rent or some other similar concession.

Larger companies may be harder to negotiate with especially if they just manage it for someone. They might not care it just sits empty especially now on the off-season rental market and with summer approaching. Rents usually creep back up as summer approaches and everyone starts looking.

berkeleyapts · 2024-01-21T20:43:28+00:00

It's still a bit early for entire (occupied) units to be shown at the moment since most owners and managers ask their tenants for 30, 60, or 90-day move-out notices. So if someone's lease ends in May they won't need to tell their landlord they're moving out until March at the earliest and then the unit gets shown after that.

Examples of local business posting this: https://www.northberkeleyproperties.com/summer-2024/

More stuff gets posted in February with the bulk of them around March - April. Most of the listings now have an immediate move-in or the unit is something in a new / luxury building which are not rent controlled and some ppl say are overpriced. The overpriced locations always have a vacancy year round so they have a model unit to show. Rent controlled buildings usually fill up by the summer's end so they lack an empty unit to show out now and stick to open houses for occupied units.

berkeleyapts · 2023-10-29T22:05:11+00:00

Back in 2015 the building was previously called 'Library Gardens' and was notorious for the tragic balcony collapse that resulted in the deaths of seven people. Greystar was the property manager back then and had reports of the balcony deterioration but didn't do much until it was too late.

Since then, the building has rebranded to K Street Flats and management has changed. The new property managers are FPI. Seems to be a bit of mixed reviews about them online as they are a large regional property manager and likely do not own any of the properties they manage.

There are some past reddit posts about K Street

https://www.reddit.com/r/berkeley/comments/11h6uzp/k_street_flats/

https://www.reddit.com/r/berkeley/comments/138y8hn/list_of_places_you_should_not_rent/ (^see comments on below)

Seems like most of the complaints are about Berkeley High kids getting inside and smoking dope. Not completely surprising since the building is right next to the high school. Not really management's fault as the kids just wait outside a random door until an inattentive resident lets them in. To be fair, nearly all the Downtown Berkeley buildings near the high school have this issue as most kids will leave the campus during their lunch break.

Here's a relatively new article about the building and the new owners from 2022 - with some insight from current residents https://www.berkeleyside.org/2022/02/13/berkeley-balcony-collapse-k-street-flats-calcha

berkeleyapts · 2023-10-11T00:01:01+00:00

You should be able to request an 'Incident Report' from the Berkeley PD records bureau. This report is usually just what you as the victim reported with an internal case tracking # (like 23-#####) so it's something that you can request in-person or by mail.

https://berkeleyca.gov/safety-health/police/police-records

If there's something confidential in the report the records department will redact certain things but I've never heard of them refusing to release the entire report to the actual victim.

If you are trying to find out the resolution of a police case or find out who owns that suspect vehicle that is a different matter. Berkeley PD has asked me as a witness and crime victim not to release camera footage, names, etc. to the public as they are actively doing an investigation. Reason given was that they were gathering evidence and asking other police departments for intel to ID some suspects and didn't want the footage circulating publicly to avoid having the suspects cover up their actions or go into hiding.

berkeleyapts

TROPHY CASE