What Tenants Need to Know About Rent Registries

What Tenants Need to Know About Rent Registries

There’s a new rule on the books for landlords in San Francisco, Oakland and other California cities. Buildings with 10+ residential units must be fully registered with the local rent boards. That means each unit’s unique “stats” must be on file (and updated annually)...
When Your Landlord Wants to Move In

When Your Landlord Wants to Move In

Imagine receiving a letter from the owner of your rental home or apartment asking you to vacate because they are planning to move into your apartment. Surprise! Can your owner-landlord kick you out and move in? Yes, they can – the property belongs to them....
Yikes, My Building is Selling: Part 1

Yikes, My Building is Selling: Part 1

You come home one evening and see a sign on your building. It’s for sale. Or you hear a rumor from another tenant. You google your building’s address, and up it comes on some real estate company’s website. As a tenant, are you in trouble? Take a deep breath. The first...
Fighting to Block Rent Jumping to $8,000/mo

Fighting to Block Rent Jumping to $8,000/mo

Neil Hutchinson is my client. His landlord increased his rent from $1,800 to $8,000 per month. That’s a rent increase of more than 400%. In all my years as an attorney fighting for tenants, I have never seen such a steep rent hike. Neil lives in an apartment in North...
A Closer Look at Your Eviction and the Ellis Act

A Closer Look at Your Eviction and the Ellis Act

You should know your tenant’s rights if you get an Ellis Act eviction. The landlord has a choice of which “just cause” eviction method to take, and even if he states he wants to move his family into your rent-controlled apartment, you still might get...