How I Handle Lawsuits with Many Tenants

How I Handle Lawsuits with Many Tenants

I represent individual tenants, but I also represent multiple tenants who are suing a landlord. These types of cases can be complex due the number of tenants. Below is an article I wrote that was published in the San Francisco Attorney Magazine: Fall 2017. It gives an...
City Files Lawsuit Against “Firetrap”

City Files Lawsuit Against “Firetrap”

The City of San Francisco is aiming at a landlord who rented an illegal basement space to 20 tenants that the San Francisco Fire Department alleges had many fire code violations. City Attorney Dennis Herrera stated on August 22 that the City filed a lawsuit against...
The Case of the Master Tenant Who Acted Like a Landlord

The Case of the Master Tenant Who Acted Like a Landlord

I follow court opinions in order to keep current with changes in the interpretation of landlord-tenant laws. I occasionally write about cases that are important to tenants in this blog. This case, which I call “The Case of the Master Tenant Who Acted Like a...
Rental Rates Driving Tenants Out

Rental Rates Driving Tenants Out

Sheila James, an office worker, starts her week by rolling out of bed at 2:15 am to get to her job in downtown San Francisco by 8:00 am. Because of high rental rates in the Bay Area, she moved to Stockton, where she can rent a 3-bedroom house for $1,000 a month. She...
First Step to Correct a Housing Code Violation

First Step to Correct a Housing Code Violation

You believe your home has a serious violation of the housing code.  But you’re not certain.  How can you tell? “Substantial” compliance is the standard used by the courts. Landlords are not required to have their properties in perfect, aesthetically pleasing...
The Case of the Erroneous Landlord

The Case of the Erroneous Landlord

As an attorney defending residential tenants, I find that each case has unique details.  Knowing which details are important when arguing a case can be the difference between winning and losing. That’s why I keep track of court opinions, which I write about...