San Francisco’s Family Housing Opportunity Special Use District – Formulated for Failure?

A bill sponsored by Supervisors Myrna Melgar and Joel Engardio, creates a citywide “Family Housing Opportunity Special Use District” (SUD). The bill passed unanimously by the Board of Supervisors on July 25, 2023 and is expected to be signed by M… Read More
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Time to Increase the Rent for Your San Francisco Rental? Dos and Don’ts.

Some landlords have patiently waited for the post era of the COVID-19 pandemic to increase their tenants’ rent. While these landlords are eager to proceed with rent increases, it is . . . Read More
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Real Estate Partition in California: Co-Ownership Challenges When the Levee Breaks

There is no doubt that California is a state known for its booming real property market. With the vast amount of properties and owners, real estate ownership in California can sometimes lead to complex situations when multiple owners co-own the same… Read More
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Exterior view of multistory single family homes built close to one another in San Jose, Silicon Valley

Is My Single-Family Home or Condo in San Francisco Exempt From Rent Control?

The short answer is: Maybe. Whether San Francisco single-family homes or condos are exempt from rent control is a highly nuanced area of California law. To explain the current state of the law, it makes the most sense to start at the beginning. Prior… Read More
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Closeup hands of real estate agent and customer handshake together after agreement together about credit house and insurance, client and consulting of investment about residential, business concept.

Eminent Domain: When Government Has the Right to Take Your Property

Eminent Domain concerns the right of the government or other authorized entity to force a sale of private property for “public use.” The law of eminent domain is grounded in both federal and state constitutions, and as long as certain statutorily… Read More
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Piggy bank and orange note written with MORATORIA..

The Slow End of the Eviction Moratoria in Alameda County: Now What?

After several extensions and several years, the eviction moratoria in Alameda County has now ended. The City of Oakland will phase its own moratoria out over the course of the next few months. The City of Berkeley will also phase out over the next se… Read More
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Refusal to provide housing. Bank refuse to give a mortgage loan. Low credit score. Confiscation of pledged property. Building commissioning. Building codes. Cancellation of deal buying real estate

San Francisco Enacts Harsh New Penalties for Code Violators

San Francisco property owners should think twice before commencing construction projects without proper permits and approvals. On March 21, 2023, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed Ordinance No. 220878, which significantly increases fines… Read More
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San Francisco’s Commercial Vacancy Tax: Have You Reported?

The last day of February marks the end of the first reporting period for San Francisco’s new Commercial Vacancy Tax. The tax was approved in March of 2020 by more than 70% of San Francisco voters, and is codified in Article 29 of the San Francisco… Read More
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San Francisco Rent Increase Licenses – Don’t Forget to Report!

Recently operative San Francisco Rent Ordinance section 37.15 requires owners to report certain information about their units to the Rent Board in order to obtain a license to impose annual and/or banked rent increases. This requirement applies to in… Read More
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The “Builder’s Remedy” May Bring Relief to Bay Area Housing Developers Starting February 1

The Housing Accountability Act (HAA) limits the ability of a local government to deny housing development projects so long as the project complies with all applicable, objective general plan and zoning standards. However, the HAA also contains a pote… Read More
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