{"success":true,"data":{"id":"584060de-e4b8-4fa5-902a-df1875f224c0","title":"New NorCal renting hell unlocked as landlord attempts to charge hefty working-from-home fee","summary":"New NorCal renting hell unlocked as landlord attempts to charge hefty working-from-home fee A rental listing in California has sparked fury for making residents already dealing with the nation’s highest gross rentpay even more: by charging a fee for working from home.","content":"# New NorCal renting hell unlocked as landlord attempts to charge hefty working-from-home fee\n\nA rental listing in California has sparked fury for making residents [already dealing with the nation’s highest gross rent](https://nypost.com/2026/07/11/real-estate/highest-rents-in-america-how-the-california-housing-crisis-drives-residents-away/)pay even more: by charging a fee for working from home.\n\nThe “newly built” furnished one-bedroom and one-bathroom unit[is on the market](https://www.rent.com/r/900-trails-end-dr-walnut-creek-ca-lv3179409523) in Walnut Creek, a city roughly 16 miles west of Oakland.\n\nThe “newly built” furnished one-bedroom and one-bathroom unit[is on the market](https://www.rent.com/r/900-trails-end-dr-walnut-creek-ca-lv3179409523) in Walnut Creek, a city roughly 16 miles west of Oakland. ABC7\n\nThe 535-square foot accessory dwelling unit — an independent living space located on the same lot as a primary home — is charging $3,250 for rent. But if you’re working from home, you’d need to pay an additional $200. ABC 7\n\nThe 535-square foot accessory dwelling unit — an independent living space located on the same lot as a primary home — is charging $3,250 for rent. But if you’re working from home, you’d need to pay an additional $200.\n\nThe listing includes utilities, internet, a private patio and parking. It boasts a “custom sunlit living space, light colored engineered hardwood floors and an updated functional kitchen.”\n\n## Explore More\n\nMany renters on social media did not seem to care about all the features and were instead aghast at the idea of paying extra to work from a space they already paid for.\n\n“That is absolutely insane,” reacted Bay Area resident Julie Crawford. “Is there extra for a stay-at-home mom, too?”\n\n“That is a violation of privacy,” San Francisco resident Aviva Kirsten commented. “They should use the home they see fit as long as it is not a disturbance to the neighborhood.”\n\nAccording to Zillow, the average rent across the Bay Area is about $3,650 a month, 81% higher than the national average.\n\n- [x] \n\nThe listing includes utilities, internet, a private patio and parking. It boasts a “custom sunlit living space, light colored engineered hardwood floors and an updated functional kitchen.” (stock photo) Getty Images\n\nDerek Barnes, CEO of the East Bay Rental Housing Association, [told ABC7](https://abc7news.com/post/new-rental-trend-200-work-home-fee-tacked-bay-area-lease/19547108/)that such fees are unusual but also are within reason. A remote worker uses more electricity, water, internet and air conditioning than an in-office one.\n\n“It’s almost like a utility cost recovery or environmental conservation fee,” Barnes said. “You’re not likely, you know, to be aware of your usage of these precious resources if you don’t see a bill.”\n\nBy clicking \"SIGN UP\" you agree to the [Terms of Use](https://nypost.com/terms)&[Privacy Notice](https://pagesix.com/privacy)\n\nAlready a subscriber? [Login](https://nypost.com/2026/07/23/real-estate/new-norcal-renting-hell-unlocked-as-landlord-attempts-to-charge-hefty-working-from-home-fee/#)\n\nThe Post reached out to the owner of the listing for comment.\n\nSuch debates over charging more rent for remote workers are becoming more common ever since remote work became more mainstream due to the COVID-19 pandemic.\n\nWhat do you think?[Be the first to comment.](https://nypost.com/2026/07/23/real-estate/new-norcal-renting-hell-unlocked-as-landlord-attempts-to-charge-hefty-working-from-home-fee/#nypost-openweb-conversation)\n\nDave Stickland, an entrepreneur from North Carolina, [commented on X](https://x.com/dave_stickland/status/2080112347243335933) he encountered a similar request from a landlord there for an extra $300 per month. He, like others, questioned how such a rule can even be enforced without being privacy-invasive.\n\n“Dude also insisted to keep his INDOOR cameras installed,” he said.\n\n## **Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters**\n\n**California Post News**: [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/TheCaliforniaPost/), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/californiapost), [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@CaliforniaPost), [X](https://x.com/californiapost), [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@thecaliforniapost), [WhatsApp](https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb6a2IV1NCrL6q2AWq0E), [LinkedIn](http://linkedin.com/company/californiapost)\n\n**California Post Sports**[Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/capostsports/), [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/capostsports/?hl=en), [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@capostsports), [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@CaliforniaPostSports), [X](https://x.com/capostsports)\n\n**California Post**[Opinion](https://x.com/californiapost)\n\n**California Post Newsletters**: [Sign up here!](https://email.nypost.com/#california-post)\n\n**California Post App**: [Download here!](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/california-post/id6751343487)\n\n**Home delivery**: [Sign up here!](https://subscribe.californiapost.com/defaultCAP)[](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/california-post/id6751343487)**Page Six Hollywood**: [Sign up here!](https://pagesix.com/hollywood-signup/)\n\nFiled under\n\nSPONSORED STORIES\n\n#### Trending Now  on NYPost.com\n\n*   [![Image 20: United Cajun Navy sets the record straight on how Nolan Wells’ body was found: ‘Families deserve the truth’](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/united-cajun-navy-nolan-wells-comp.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=260&h=174&crop=1)](https://nypost.com/2026/07/23/us-news/united-cajun-navy-sets-the-record-straight-on-how-nolan-wells-body-was-found-families-deserve-the-truth/)This story has been shared 113,136 times.113,136   ### [United Cajun Navy sets the record straight on how Nolan Wells’ body was found: ‘Families deserve the truth’](https://nypost.com/2026/07/23/us-news/united-cajun-navy-sets-the-record-straight-on-how-nolan-wells-body-was-found-families-deserve-the-truth/) \n*   [![Image 21: NJ couple loses their two children after Jersey Shore boating trip with grandparents ends in tragedy: reports](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/jersey-shore-boating-accident-young-children-dead-comp.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=260&h=174&crop=1)](https://nypost.com/2026/07/23/us-news/nj-couple-loses-their-only-two-children-after-jersey-shore-boating-trip-with-grandparents-ends-in-tragedy-reports/)This story has been shared 105,741 times.105,741   ### [NJ couple loses their two children after Jersey Shore boating trip with grandparents ends in tragedy: reports](https://nypost.com/2026/07/23/us-news/nj-couple-loses-their-only-two-children-after-jersey-shore-boating-trip-with-grandparents-ends-in-tragedy-reports/) \n*   [![Image 22: Ex-CNN anchor gets stunningly candid about her sex life](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/135283717.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=260&h=174&crop=1)](https://nypost.com/2026/07/23/media/ex-cnn-anchor-brooke-baldwin-gets-candid-about-her-sex-life/)This story has been shared 102,395 times.102,395   ### [Ex-CNN anchor gets stunningly candid about her sex life](https://nypost.com/2026/07/23/media/ex-cnn-anchor-brooke-baldwin-gets-candid-about-her-sex-life/) \n\n#### Most Commented Join the conversation\n\n## Now on Page Six\n\n The \"newly built\" furnished one-bedroom and one-bathroom unit[is on the market](https://www.rent.com/r/900-trails-end-dr-walnut-creek-ca-lv3179409523) in Walnut Creek, a city roughly 16 miles west of Oakland. ABC7\n\n The 535-square foot accessory dwelling unit -- an independent living space located on the same lot as a primary home -- is charging $3,250 for rent. But if you're working from home, you'd need to pay an additional $200. ABC 7\n\n The listing includes utilities, internet, a private patio and parking. It boasts a \"custom sunlit living space, light colored engineered hardwood floors and an updated functional kitchen.\" (stock photo) Getty Images\n\nYou are viewing**1** of **3**images Previous Image Next Image\n\n## More Stories\n\n### Page Six\n\n### Decider\n\n### NYPost","source_name":"New York Post","source_url":"https://nypost.com/2026/07/23/real-estate/new-norcal-renting-hell-unlocked-as-landlord-attempts-to-charge-hefty-working-from-home-fee/","url":"https://nypost.com/2026/07/23/real-estate/new-norcal-renting-hell-unlocked-as-landlord-attempts-to-charge-hefty-working-from-home-fee/","author":"Titus Wu","author_name":"Titus Wu","published_at":"2026-07-23T18:45:20.000Z","publication_date":"2026-07-23T18:45:20.000Z","image_url":"https://images.outbrainimg.com/transform/v3/eyJpdSI6ImQ0MWVkYWVhMzUxZjIyMDMxOWRiY2UzNzc4MmVlZmY2ZDQxYzFkZWMzNmI1N2QxYTUwOTk4YWJmOTExYjg4ZjgiLCJ3Ijo5MCwiaCI6NjAsImQiOjEuMCwiY3MiOjAsImYiOjR9.webp","category":"world","topic":"world","tags":[],"political_bias":null,"bias_score":null,"confidence_score":null,"credibility_score":null,"factual_quality":null,"reading_time":5,"word_count":823,"view_count":0,"breaking":false,"breaking_news":false,"ai_analysis":null,"fact_check_status":"unverified","archive_status":"hot","language":null}}