A recent Craigslist apartment listing in San Francisco has raised eyebrows and led to an investigation due to its questionable living conditions and lack of permits.
The studio in Polk Gulch, advertised at $1,500 a month, seemed like a rare find amidst the city’s competitive rental market, which has seen average rents rise by 1.37% from last month and 6.69% year-over-year, according to Zumper.
However, excitement quickly faded for prospective renters after a visit to the property at 1722 Washington St.
The listing was associated with Lloyd, who was subletting the unit and set up a meeting for interested parties to view the space through his “friend” Paul, who would lead the tour.
Upon arrival, the first impression was misleadingly positive. The building, a four-story Mediterranean Revival structure, featured bay windows and was attractively designed with red shingled rooftops.
The reality, however, was starkly different.
Paul guided the potential tenant through a dim and uninspiring basement hallway to access the apartment, which was located at the rear of the building.
The outdoor area looked neglected, comprised of a small, paved patio, an overgrown hedge, and some plastic chairs surrounded by weeds.
According to the listing, the unit boasted a bedroom and a so-called “bonus room” with yard access, but these features turned out to be far from desirable.
The bonus room resembled a rudimentary shed rather than a livable space. It contained a bed perched precariously over a toilet, with only a small table and a sink accompanying the toilet.
Despite the bed being twin-sized, the low ceiling left virtually no room for movement, making it seemingly dangerous for anyone attempting to sleep there.
Next, the main bedroom was accessed through a staircase that climbed up from the yard. This room measured merely 120 square feet and featured a similar bizarre arrangement.
A bed was suspended from a chain over a toilet, and a precariously placed ladder was the only means of access. Absurdly, this setup raised concerns regarding the strength of the chain under the weight of two people.
While this bedroom did include a shower, it lacked a sink, meaning tenants would have to venture outdoors to wash their hands after using the bathroom.
Further complicating the situation, the only exit from the apartment was through a long and dark basement hallway, which posed a significant safety risk in emergencies such as fires or earthquakes.
Lloyd, who identified himself as the former tenant and also a brother of the building’s co-owner, Chester Huey, felt compelled to defend his actions.
In a phone interview, he expressed his financial need for the rent money, claiming it was necessary to fund a medical procedure.
While admitting that he had not secured the proper permits for the plumbing installations, Lloyd suggested that such regulations would only serve to drive up the cost and render the unit unaffordable.
He rationalized his actions by suggesting that he was providing an opportunity for low-income tenants to secure housing in a city characteristically plagued by a housing shortage.
However, reactions from the online community suggested widespread disapproval. When details about the listing were shared in a local subreddit, nearly 300 comments mocked the unit’s grim condition and layout.
Comments ranged from disbelief at the resemblance to a jail cell, to humorous quips about the inadequate living conditions.
Huey, co-owner of the building, stated he was not informed that his brother had listed the apartment or made unauthorized modifications.
“This is a big mess,” he expressed, highlighting the unexpected complications arising from the situation.
Lloyd dismissed concerns regarding flooding or sewage issues typically associated with San Francisco’s wastewater system, claiming it was simply a city-wide concern rather than an issue unique to his property.
He also refuted any suggestions that the shed could be considered as a kitchen space, explaining that it served only as storage previously utilized for his five dachshunds.
In response to public concern and investigations initiated by the city, Lloyd stated that he planned to remove the plumbing fixtures to address the legality of the listings.
The incident illustrates the absurdity and often hazardous conditions found within San Francisco’s housing market.
Just as excitement began to build over what initially appeared to be an affordable living option, the reality served as a harsh reminder of the city’s ongoing struggles to provide safe and hospitable housing.
As news spread of the conditions and subsequent investigations, the apartment listing was quickly pulled, leaving renters searching for alternatives.
The unit has since been deemed unavailable, marking yet another disappointing chapter in the challenging saga of San Francisco’s rental landscape.
image source from：sfstandard
