San Francisco Tenant Resources
Fighting for tenants’ rights since 1970, the SFTU provides the best Web site and organization for San Francisco tenants, offering virtually everything you need to know. Whether you are having issues with your landlord or not, there is perhaps no better investment in protecting your rights than to join the San Francisco Tenants Union.
The official Web site of the San Francisco Rent Stabilization and Arbitration Board contains links to the ordinance, rules and regulations, allowable rent increases, interest rates on security deposits, procedure and forms to file a petition against your landlord and much more.
San Francisco Department of Building Inspection
The official Web site of the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection (DBI) includes information on how to file complaints, whom to call with questions, and a useful Online Permit and Complaint Tracking feature to research your own building.
Housing Rights Committee of San Francisco
The Housing Rights Committee of San Francisco is a nonprofit, community-based organization founded in 1979. Its mission is to empower tenants to secure fundamental rights to habitable and widely affordable housing in San Francisco.
Eviction Defense Collaborative
The Eviction Defense Collaborative provides counseling and legal help to tenants during the eviction process. Programs include preparing a response to the lawsuit, limited representation at the settlement conference, and preparation of requests for delays of the sheriff’s eviction. The Rental Assistance Program provides one-time, no-interest loans to tenants at risk of losing their residence and becoming homeless.
Oakland Tenant Resources
The Oakland Tenants Union works directly with tenants, impacting legislation and public policy about housing, community education, and works with other organizations committed to furthering renters’ rights.
The official Web site of the Oakland Rent Adjustment Board contains Oakland’s Rent Control Ordinance, Rules and Procedures, allowable rent increases, information to file a petition against your landlord and much more.
Berkeley Tenant Resources
Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board
The official Web site of the Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board contains the Berkeley rent control ordinance, rules and procedures, allowable rent increases, information to file a petition against your landlord, suggestions for recovering your security deposit, and much more.
California Tenant Resources
Tenants Together works to improve the lives of California’s tenants through education, organizing and advocacy. Tenants Together seeks to galvanize a statewide movement for renters’ rights.
A comprehensive website that discusses tenant issues from A-Z. Informative articles with comprehensive listing of legal services for tenants.
General Legal Resources
The Legislative Counsel of California provides all 29 codes of California Law, each searchable by keyword.
San Francisco Municipal Codes
Provided by Municode.com, the Municipal Codes contain the City Charter, Administrative Code (which containts the rent control ordinance) and other relevant San Francisco codes like the San Francisco Police Code.
California Courts Self Help Center
“Find assistance and information, work better with an attorney, and represent yourself in some legal matters.” A helpful site to get the basics for small claims cases.
Landlord Websites
Useful articles and case histories from property owners’ points of view: understand the justifications and procedures for condominium conversions; creation of tenancies-in-common; Ellis evictions. Many of these sites include recent case law and articles pertaining to Ellis evictions, subdivided lands act, Ellis relocation payments, security deposits and negotiating with tenants.
San Francisco Apartment Association
