What is “Just Cause” Eviction?

“Just cause” evictions are an important part of your tenant’s rights in San Francisco and other cities in the Bay area. I’ve mentioned “just cause” evictions in past blog posts. What exactly are they?

You should know the law

The definition of “just cause” evictions in the City is found in Chapter 37 of the San Francisco Administrative Code, also known as the rent ordinance. Most of the “just cause” evictions have to do with actions by the tenant. As a tenant attorney, I want you to know the law. Don’t give your landlord the legal ammunition to evict you.

Five of the reasons

Here are five of the “just cause” reasons a landlord can evict you in San Francisco. The law includes others, which I will cover in upcoming blogs.  They are:

1.  You fail to pay rent, you habitually pay the rent late, or you give checks that bounce.
2.  You break a term of the rental agreement even after getting a written notice from the landlord.
3.  You create a nuisance or do substantial damage to the unit. You interfere with the comfort, safety, or enjoyment of the landlord or tenants in the building.
4.  You use the apartment illegally.
5.  Your rent agreement has been terminated and you refuse to execute a written extension for basically the same terms.

There is plenty of room for interpretation in the rent ordinance. Landlords may claim that they have “just cause” to evict you when in fact they do not.

Being evicted? Are you unsure of your rights and the law? You should consider talking to an experienced tenant attorney. Protect yourself. Know your rights.