A group of long-time Fruitvale renters is suing their new landlord, accusing him of trying to push them out by threatening to call ICE on them and taking other illegal eviction steps.
Darrick Chavis bought the four-unit rental property on Princeton Street and Fairfax Avenue this spring, inheriting its tenants, who pay below-market rates after living in the rent-controlled homes for years. Almost immediately, Chavis offered his new tenants buyouts if they’d leave.
In Oakland, landlords can only raise rents by nominal amounts each year in rent-controlled buildings — but if a tenant moves out, they can establish any new starting rate for the next renter…