California Apartment Association Working to Passthrough Legislation to Support Landlords

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

Break-Ins Are on the Rise: Why and How You Can Keep Your Building Safe

Break-ins both home and auto are on the rise. I have been in this business for 13 years and had one break in in my career, until last year. Since then, it seems almost monthly I hear of an incident from a tenant or client about some crime on their property. Some things I’ve experienced… Read More

Why We Need to Start Having a Conversation About Ending or Modifying Rent Control

There is no denying San Francisco is in the midst of a housing crisis as it is during every economic boom. Housing programs such as Section 8 and public housing help lower income residents and wealthy residents remain unaffected, but the middle class suffers. It is time for us to look at Rent Control to… Read More

Happy New Year! What to Expect in 2015

A new year brings new hope for us as landlords and unfortunately new determination for tenants’ unions to pass more tenant-friendly legislation. Landlords were successful in 2014 in knocking down some landmark legislation and court rulings aimed at making owning properties more difficult and costly, including SB 1439 (Leno) and Levin vs. San Francisco. 2015 vows to… Read More

Give a Tenant an Inch, They’ll Take a Mile…And More!

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

In a Wave of Bad New for Landlords, A Small Victory for a Lingsch Realty Client

I truly love my job and count my blessings each day for the wonderful opportunity my grandfather bestowed on me. However, I would be remiss if I did not confess that the current media portrayal of the rental market and tenants’ sense of entitlement frustrates me. From tenants’ unwillingness to cooperate with construction that will… Read More

Preserve the Ellis Act

San Francisco lawmakers have introduced a pair of bills to the state legislature that would hamper a property owner’s ability to quit the rental housing business. The pending bill, which would force buyers to own a building for at least five years before they could evict tenants using the Ellis Act, has moved out of… Read More

What is the Ellis Act?

The Ellis Act has taken center stage in San Francisco real estate media in recent months. While those evoking the Ellis Act or tenants displaced by the Act are well versed in what it is and what it means, bystanders may not. I would like to give a brief overview of the law and current… Read More

Cultivation and Consumption of Cannabis: What You Need To Know

Walking down the street in San Francisco, it might surprise people that marijuana is not legal.  The free-spirit attitude of the 1960’s Haight-Ashbury days has persevered, and indeed, most law enforcement officials turn a blind-eye. However, as a multi-family building landlord, you still need to know your and your tenants’ rights with regards to cannabis… Read More

New Laws for 2014 That Affect Property Owners

Smoke Detector Compliance: Effective July 1, 2014, a battery-operated smoke alarm will not be legal unless it contains a non-replaceable, non-removable battery capable of powering the smoke alarm for at least 10 years. Until July 1, 2015, an exception to this rule applies to smoke alarms ordered by, or in the inventory of , an… Read More

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