Leaders In Resolving Landlord-Tenant Disputes
In landlord-tenant relationships, parties often find themselves in situations more like a dysfunctional marriage than a business arrangement. Often, local rental ordinances complicate the situation further. Each party has its own goals, expectations and purposes, and sometimes, issues will arise that quickly escalate to litigation. It is important for you to understand your legal rights if you are a landlord or tenant in San Francisco or elsewhere in Northern California.
Housing laws and regulations at the municipal, state and federal levels govern each party’s rights and responsibilities, but not everyone understands what these often lengthy laws mean in day-to-day operations. Local rental ordinances have been amended and updated, creating more ambiguity and confusion between tenants and landlords who take a quick survey on the internet and believe they are fully informed of the current law. With our partners’ decades of combined experience in real estate matters involving hundreds of tenants and landlords, we at Beckman, Feller & Chang P.C. possess extensive firsthand experience and knowledge of laws and remedies concerning such matters.
Representing Clients Who Own Or Manage Commercial Or Residential Properties
We provide services in the following areas:
- Commercial leases: Our landlord-tenant attorneys can quickly and efficiently draft legal agreements involving your properties, and we can review existing agreements to ensure that your rights are adequately protected.
- Residential rental agreements: Our attorneys provide reliable, knowledgeable advice to property owners and their property managers, and will work diligently to advocate for your position while trying to promptly resolve disputes related to habitable premises, discrimination in housing, disputes between tenants and other matters.
- Rent increases and evictions: This is a particularly contentious area of housing law, and we have the experience and background to ensure that changes made to rental agreements are legal and enforceable.
The Bay Area (San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley and the Bay Area counties) has some of the highest rents in the country, making rent increases and eviction controls a hot area for litigation among property owners. While cities and townships continue to amend and implement new rent and eviction control ordinances, owners are often not getting enough information or details to maneuver through them.
If you have concerns as a landlord, property owner or manager about the laws in your municipality, we can provide a one-time review of laws concerning your properties or be available on a retainer to provide ongoing legal consultation as you manage your property in today’s increasingly complicated rental environment. To schedule a meeting with one of our lawyers, please contact us today.
Commonly Asked Questions About San Francisco Bay Area Landlord-Tenant Disputes
Remaining compliant while protecting your real estate investments can be complex amid the shifting landscape of local rental regulations. Below, our landlord-tenant attorneys answer some of the most pressing questions facing property owners.
What is considered “just cause” for eviction in California for 2026?
Under the updated Tenant Protection Act, “just cause” is divided into at-fault reasons, such as lease breaches, and no-fault reasons, such as owner move-ins. For 2026, new regulations have increased the evidentiary burden for no-fault evictions, requiring stricter documentation of intent and actual occupancy.
How does the 2026 appliance law (AB 628) affect my liability as a landlord?
Effective January 1, 2026, AB 628 mandates that landlords provide and maintain a functional refrigerator and stove in all residential units as a baseline requirement for habitability. Failure to repair these appliances promptly can now lead to “untenantable” claims, potentially resulting in rent withholding or statutory damages.
How long does the eviction process typically take in California?
A standard, uncontested unlawful detainer action generally spans five to eight weeks, although local court backlogs in the San Francisco Bay Area (San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley and the Bay Area counties) can cause significant delays. If a tenant chooses to contest the filing or demands a jury trial, the timeline can extend to six months or more.
What are my options if a tenant claims “retaliatory eviction?”
California law creates a rebuttable presumption of retaliation if a landlord serves a notice within 180 days of a tenant’s complaint or exercise of legal rights. To defeat this claim, it is vital to demonstrate that the eviction is based on a legitimate, nonretaliatory business reason such as a documented lease violation.
Can I use AI-driven pricing software to set my rents?
As of 2026, California’s AB 325 prohibits the use of common algorithmic pricing tools that facilitate horizontal price-fixing or rely on nonpublic competitor data. You may still utilize software for data analysis, but it is essential to maintain independent decision-making authority and records showing how your specific rates were derived.
Set Up An Initial Consultation Regarding Your Landlord-Tenant Dispute
To consult with a landlord-tenant attorney, call our office at 510-617-0635. We can also be reached via email.