As a new attorney in private practice I am eager to sue landlords for violating leases and state laws. What I lack in experience, I am happy to make up in cheaper fees. I am a Tenants Together hotline volunteer and love doing research to expand my expertise in whatever direction your case takes me.
I moved to San Francisco at the age of 21 (1976) and found my current studio apartment in Northbeach well BEFORE Pier 39. The rent was $299 plus parking (+$25) and included a free storage unit and gym membership in the building.
It has been heart breaking to see many friends of mine in the artistic community dislodged by Ellis Act eviction, many who are seniors and have had their homes for decades. One friend who has been in his apartment for almost 35 years is a senior on a fixed income and with no resources. He has many shelves of books and memorabilia that had will not be able to move (as he has no money to move anyway). None of the other tenants in his building want to go either, but one by one they are giving up the fight, choosing to move out of San Francisco entirely.
My 96year old landlord died and her niece from So. California inherited the building and began the first of evictions within days of becoming the new owner. Two months later she approached another tenant with a buyout, which the tenant declined and this was followed 12 wks later by an Ellis Act Eviction notice to all. I have lived here for 30 years, raised my son here who also lives with me, and took care of the new owner's aunt for the last 5 years of her life.
My landlord recently filed the Ellis Act for our building in Hayes Valley, San Francisco, specifically to remove my long time neighbor and myself from the only two residential units that are over three retail tenants. We have lived side by side for 25 years. My husband and I are both jazz musicians and educators. My neighbor is a director of a domestic violence nonprofit and her husband works at the SF library. As Beverly said on NPR national news yesterday "Once the advocates and organizers are gone, who will be left to look after the city?"
In 2007, our landlord attempted to evict us by raising our rent 500%, thinking that we would just leave. The SF Tenants Union gave us the tools we needed to go forth and fight this illegal increase. The Rent Board sided with us. But, after continued legal harassment (3 separate legal actions) by our landlord, two years later he got us out on the Ellis Act during settlement. This time of our lives was stressful for me, my partner and my teen aged children (who were also named in the lawsuit and verbally harassed in our home).
Serve tenants in San Francisco Bay Area (also a small number of cases in San Mateo, Alameda, and San Jose) providing eviction defense, representation at the SF Rent Board and affirmative lawsuits for wrongful/constructive eviction,lock-outs, tenant harassment & failure to provide habitable premises.
The property management company wants payment through the mail but refuse to provide a receipt thru the mail. They want to charge me $50 late fee from 2 months ago (I only found out yesterday)because they claim it was one day late. When I called someone there about it, she said the matter was "trivial" to her. Thanks for the template letters on your website. I will mail them tonight!
prior landlord and current takes from my deposit money they have to pay the Rent Board. I find it strange I have to pay the rent board. Out of $700. there is very little left. Also I do not think he is aware but taking to much for interest when asking for a raise
Our building is being painted and we are terrified that our landlord will sell the building to someone who will convert it into condos and evict us all! If I am forced out of my place, I will have to leave SF because I have absolutely been priced out as an arts administrator, non-profit worker, and fundraiser for LGBTQ artists.