As you may have heard, there is a new state law for bed bugs (Civil Code Sec. 1954.603) that requires giving notice to both new and existing tenants. Prospective tenants must be given the notice by this July 1, and existing tenants must be given the notice by January 2018. While the bed bug addendum… Read More
New Fire Safety Ordinance
January 13, 2017 by
In August 2016, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed new legislation aimed at promoting fire and life safety, reducing the risk of fires and preventing property damage from fires. The new laws, which have been incorporated into the San Francisco Fire Code, establish new requirements for residential building owners. The new requirements include having… Read More
Annual Building Inspection Checklist
September 26, 2016 by
As the active rental season ends, but before the busy holiday season starts, I want to take this opportunity to remind all my clients and contacts to inspect their buildings to make sure they comply with all habitability requirements and have no issues that pose a threat to the continuity of their buildings or the… Read More
California Apartment Association Working to Passthrough Legislation to Support Landlords
April 25, 2016 by
The California Apartment Association is working with the California State Legislature to passthrough legislation that would benefit landlords. Several pro-housing bills made progress this week by making their way out of their respective committees. Legislation affecting density, including the legalization of in-law units, is included in the legislation, which would make it easier for property owners… Read More
Understanding “Rent Ordinance 2.0”
March 24, 2016 by
On September 9, 2015, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed amendments to the Rent Ordinance expanding tenant rights even further. Supervisor Jane Kim’s legislation, which further expanded tenant rights is now known as Rent Ordinance 2.0. If you thought being a landlord under the original version was difficult, 2.0 has more obstacles to navigate…. Read More
Preparing for El Nino
September 17, 2015 by
El Nino is a weather pattern produced by unusually warm ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific. The El Nino phenomenon is associated with extreme weather around the globe. In California, it typically means a wet winter with higher than normal rain levels. An El Nino is predicted for this winter continuing into 2016. In order… Read More
San Francisco’s Business Registration Fees Ordinance
December 17, 2014 by
The Gross Receipts Tax and Business Registration Fees Ordinance (2012 Proposition E) was approved by San Francisco voters on November 6, 2012 and implemented in 2014. Although 2014 has come and gone, there still seems to be some confusion among my clients about the gross receipts tax. So I wanted to take the opportunity to… Read More
Give a Tenant an Inch, They’ll Take a Mile…And More!
August 22, 2014 by
While we all try to get the best tenants possible, occasionally a bad one slips through the cracks, or we may purchase a new building and inherit such a tenant. They may pay their rent late, create nuisances for other tenants or create safety hazards in the building. While it can be a frustrating and… Read More