r/SFBayHousing

Why do the vast majority of sublets in SF seem to be priced at current market rate?

My understanding is that SF tenant laws require master tenants to charge subtenants (roommates) a prorated amount based on the square footage of their private area relative to the actual master rent being paid.

​If a master tenant has been in the unit for years, their rent-controlled rate will be significantly below current market prices. By that logic, any legal roommates subtenant lease in an established rental should be priced well below market rate.

But you never see any of those.

Are people just unaware of the law, or is this blatant price gouging?

Law: https://www.sf.gov/roommates-and-subletting?hl=en-US

I found a place near Alabama street and 16th. Is that area safe? I would be commuting from work a bit late some days, so wanted to get the reality.

I moved from New York and am fairly new to SF. Appreciate any advice and insights

Thanks!

Is anyone here looking for someone to take over their lease or sublet for 1 to a few months starting in June 2026?

My husband and I are moving to the bay area the first week of June, but we haven't been accepted to a place to live yet -- despite our excellent financials (30k/month combined income) and credit (750 and 820). We consistently get deprioritized because we have 2 dogs and/or can't visit in person before applying.

I've reached out to dozens of places on Furnished Finder to find a temporary rental but havent received any response yet. And Airbnb is out of the question -- monthly rates for Airbnbs are 2-3x monthly rent for normal housing.

Any advice / help is appreciated.

The room is about ~160sq/ft. Fits a twin/queen comfortably with space for few pieces of furniture. The room has a window and a closet. Shared kitchen and living room space. 1 Bathroom but I’ve lived here for over 8 years and hasn’t been an issue. Washer and Dryer available. Garage/driveway parking.

MUNI M-Line is located up the street. BART stations, Daly City and Balboa Park, are nearby.
We are 420 friendly. There is a cat so no more pets. If you have any questions, message me! :-)

Hello from Matthew,

I have been looking for just a small room and bathroom. I am looking to move to finish my internship.

I had to stop my internship to go help my elderly mother at her home some years back. I still help my elderly mom part time with my sister for a source of income.

My budget is limited so i am willing to help with pets, gardening, household work or anything needed daily that would keep the rent as low as possible monthly.

I am a super clean gentleman, I would have no visitors over and I am a quiet person. I don't smoke or do drugs.

I love books and reading. I love all pets. I just need that one time help so I can better myself to finish my internship and get a better job and move forward in my life.

Thank you for your time and blessings.

Hey guys!

What neighborhoods do you recommend in the city, I’m 27 about to move to SF and I’m looking for somewhere safe, wether it’s an apt or studio with a max rent of 2,400. I’d be working/commuting (public transportation) to mission district neighborhood every day for work.

Hello! I’ve been posting a lot about my search for a place in SF. This past Sunday I came across a ”for rent” sign outside of a building when I was in SF. It’s for a studio apartment, in an area I really want to live in. I’ve been in contact with the building owner and he has sent me pictures since I had left the city by the time he called me back.

Again, the studio is in an area that I would ideally like to live in (Richmond District), but the thing is it doesn’t have a stove. I would really prefer to have a stove so that I am able to cook for my son and myself. I don’t want to have to eat out often. The rent is $1500 plus utilities.

I am very hesitant about going for it, but I’m afraid I won’t find anything else in that area within the next month. If you were in my place would you go for it or keep looking?

[supprimé]

Hi! Just graduated from college and I’ll be working in the Financial District and am still trying to figure out the best area to live in. Ideally, I’d love to be in a neighborhood that feels very safe, lively, (and reasonable price ideally below $3k) with other young professionals or people around my age.

This will be my first time living in San Francisco, and I’ll be living alone as a woman, so safety and convenience are really important to me. I’d really appreciate any neighborhood recommendations or advice you may have.

Thank you! :)

Our building is rent controlled and was recently bought by new owners. The elevator in the building stopped working and management told us it will likely be MONTHS before it’s fixed because instead of repairing it they want to fully modernize/replace it. It’s an old that has been breaking down quite often so I think they are tired of bringing a company to fix it every other week.
We’re on the 3rd floor with a baby, stroller, groceries, etc. and they basically told everyone to just use the stairs indefinitely. Being on the 3rd floor is not the worst but I would be scared to go down the narrow stairs with my baby in one hand or in front of me in a baby carrier. Forget it if I need to get groceries, he is too young to be left alone so I basically can’t leave the apartment without my partner with me to help with the logistics of that.

They’re suggesting using one of the apartments as storage for the construction project.
Is this actually allowed in San Francisco? I understand elevators break, but months without one in a multi-story building seems insane to me, especially in a rent controlled building where elevator access has always been part of living here.
Has anyone dealt with this before? Did tenants get rent reductions or any kind of accommodations? Trying to figure out whether this is normal or if we should be pushing back harder.

I’m moving to SF for the YC S26 batch and trying to figure out the best neighborhood to live in.

Budget: $1200–$2000

Preferably solo (open to roommates if it’s a much better setup)

Preferably quiet + safe neighborhood

Will need to travel to Union Square regularly

Prefer more mom-and-pop/local feel over luxury high-rises

Likely relying mostly on public transit/Uber

Priorities are:

quiet enough to focus/work

reasonably safe

easy commute

good coffee/food nearby

founder-friendly environment would be a plus

Would love neighborhood recommendations, apartment tips, or areas to avoid.

Gf and I are looking to move to SF hopefully in a few months from FL. We obviously will not be able to be in town to tour apartments and will most likely rent sight unseen. We’ve been looking for apts here and there on Zillow & Craigslist, just looking for any helpful advice from folks who have moved from out of state!

I can move anytime this month or the next. I am single, no pets, and clean.

Looking for:

• 12 month lease
• in unit W/D
• 1 parking space
• max budget of $4500/month

Please let me know!

I just received a new job in South San Francisco (Oyster Point) and am looking for a rental from roughly June 1st to July 1st. I am flexible on dates and could do a longer lease if it's the right fit.

The place can be a small studio, but I'd like a kitchen at minimum. 1 or 2BR is fine as well.

Must haves: Furnished. Parking (one small SUV).

Laundry onsite or in unit would be ideal as well.

Budget: $4k ($3.2k ideally)

Anywhere within a 20 minute drive of Oyster Point. I've already scoured furnished finder and craigslist. There's plenty within my price range but it's all occupied and landlords aren't replying. Mostly looking in SSF, Burlingame/San Mateo, and Daly City.

I am a single occupant, non-smoker with great rental history and credit. No pets. I am happy to pay in whatever way is most convenient for you.

Please DM or post here if you have any availability. Thanks 😊

Hi everyone,

I’m an MSCS student at UMass Amherst and will be interning in Redwood City this summer. I’m looking for a furnished room/sublet from May 30th to August 15th.

A few details:

• Budget: $1000–1500/month
• Prefer a place near:
  • Redwood City
  • San Carlos
  • Belmont
  • Menlo Park
  • Palo Alto
  • or anywhere with good access to Caltrain
• I don’t have a car, so proximity to public transit is important
• Clean, quiet, non-smoker
• Will mostly be working weekdays in office
• Open to shared housing with other interns/students

If you have a room available or know someone looking for a roommate/subletter, please DM me. Happy to hop on a quick call or provide more details.

Thanks!

Hi everyone! I know that the rental market is crazy right now. But I wanted to start a thread where people could share positive rental experiences that counter the doom and gloom! Not as a way to invalidate the struggle but as a way to give people some hope! It really is rough out there and I’m planning on moving back next year, late spring.

Don’t tomato me, I know they’re out there! I have two sisters who have consistently found excellent/reasonably priced apartments across the past decade… one via social connections and the other simply via Zillow and FB. I like to share these to remind people that it can be done! I’m not a huge law of attraction person but I do believe that success stories can be super helpful/motivating in times of crisis!!

Think we are all armed with PLENTY of warnings and horror stories and that’s good and helpful. Let’s hear some moments where it all worked out!!

Hello! My family & I are relocating from AZ to the Bay Area for my husband’s job:) His office is in Santa Clara but he does not need to go in often at all. We have a 2 yr old & I am due in Sept with baby 2! We don’t know much about the area so also looking for guidance. Not looking to be in a “city” we are moreso into a laid back family area. Think daily walks, park dates, etc.

We are hoping to rent a home but having trouble finding anything on Zillow! If anyone knows of anything - please let me know! We are looking as North as Walnut Creek (or Pacifica if considering the west side) and as South as Santa Cruz. Hoping for 3 or 4 bedrooms. Prepared to spend up to 7k in rent per month.

Thanks!