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> 2). Draconian lease terms. This is a subset of the 1st point, but it's extremely difficult to price the market when you're required to give (move-out) notice

> 2). Draconian lease terms. This is a subset of the 1st point, but it's extremely difficult to price the market when you're required to give (move-out) notice well in advance of the actual lease date. Because the market here is so fast, you're basically jumping in blind-folded at what might be available when you go to look for a new lease. Great for landlords you can fill a spot in a moments notice, but horrible for a tenet who's trying to understand the cost of such a decision. What do you mean here? Just that trying to avoid a month of double-rent means you lose negotiating power cause you have to pick something quickly enough to set up the move and be done in 30 days? I would absolutely not give up my current market without having the next one lined up, but yes, this means if I'm moving purely to save money, I'm going to have some overlap. But usually I haven't had to have more than 2 weeks, thanks to non-immediate move-in dates.

B4CKlash 6y ago
Just to be clear, I think move-out notice is only one area where landlords use economies of scale to their benefit. Anywho... If you're looking to price the rental market and you have a 60 day notice, you're probably look at rentals that start 60-90 days out. In a hot market this is an extremely small cohort. If you're required to give 30 days notice that range can extend from 30-90 days, capturing significantly more options. The net effect here is that tenets lose leverage. In a 30< day model I can look significantly wider without wasting time. in a 30> day model I run the risk of exhausting my runway (and probably taking the first option available).
- ponker 6y ago
  This is where regulation helps. California requires that notice periods equal rent periods at a maximum. So if you pay rent monthly, you can always ditch a place with a 30-day notice. So you don't get landlords flexing their power by demanding 60-day notices because the government, so dysfunctional in many ways, was effective enough to protect the tenants.
stevula 6y ago
I find most landlords aren’t willing to push back the move-in date on a new place more than a couple weeks in SF. So if I find a place to move into in 14 days, I’ll then give my 30 days notice and end up paying double rent for about half a month as you said. I wish that weren’t necessary, as I usually only need a couple days overlap for moving. When I was younger and living paycheck to paycheck, I couldn’t afford the overlap and would have to give notice and then start looking closer to the actual date... very stressful! I’m sure a lot of people have to deal with this.

B4CKlash 6y ago

Just to be clear, I think move-out notice is only one area where landlords use economies of scale to their benefit. Anywho... If you're looking to price the rental market and you have a 60 day notice, you're probably look at rentals that start 60-90 days out. In a hot market this is an extremely small cohort. If you're required to give 30 days notice that range can extend from 30-90 days, capturing significantly more options. The net effect here is that tenets lose leverage. In a 30< day model I can look significantly wider without wasting time. in a 30> day model I run the risk of exhausting my runway (and probably taking the first option available).

ponker 6y ago
This is where regulation helps. California requires that notice periods equal rent periods at a maximum. So if you pay rent monthly, you can always ditch a place with a 30-day notice. So you don't get landlords flexing their power by demanding 60-day notices because the government, so dysfunctional in many ways, was effective enough to protect the tenants.

stevula 6y ago

I find most landlords aren’t willing to push back the move-in date on a new place more than a couple weeks in SF. So if I find a place to move into in 14 days, I’ll then give my 30 days notice and end up paying double rent for about half a month as you said. I wish that weren’t necessary, as I usually only need a couple days overlap for moving. When I was younger and living paycheck to paycheck, I couldn’t afford the overlap and would have to give notice and then start looking closer to the actual date... very stressful! I’m sure a lot of people have to deal with this.