Housing Rights Committee, San Francisco

Tenant Resources

ASSESSOR'S OFFICE

To check the legal status of units, building ownership, and other property info. You can also check the year your building was built (and the number of units it has), and thus determine if it's under rent control. You can find your landlord's address there, but not her name.

City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Pl., Rm 190, SF, CA 94102
Assessor Division: (415) 554-5596/ Recorder: (415) 554-7915/ Hours: 8-5 pm, Monday - Friday
http://gispubweb.sfgov.org/website/sfparcel/index.htm
email: assessor@sfgov.org

BUILDING INSPECTIONS
You can call this department to report problems, such as leaks, lack of heat and broken or unsafe stairs as well as electrical and plumbing repairs. An inspector will come to your apartment and write up a notice of violation. If the landlord does not make the repairs, he can be fined and brought to a director's hearing. NOTE: For illegal units (or if you suspect your unit is illegal) check with us first! Units that are sometimes illegal: Garage, inlaw, or basement.

HOUSING INSPECTION SERVICES DIVISION (HIS)
1660 Mission Street, 6th Floor, SF, CA 94103
To file a complaint: (415) 558-6220
Hours: 8:00-5pm, Monday - Friday
Inspectors are usually at their desks: 8-9 am, and 4-5 pm
http://www.sfgov.org/site/dbi_index.asp/ email: DBI-PublicServices@sfgov.org

CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE

Responsible for enforcing the health and safety code, the housing code, the building code and the fire code against owners of blighted property in SF.

CODE ENFORCEMENT DIVISION, SF CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
1390 Market Street, 6th Floor, SF, CA 94102
Hotline/voice mail: (415) 554-3977
Hours: 8 - 5pm, Monday - Friday
http://www.sfgov.org/site/cityattorney

DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE

CONSUMER FRAUD UNIT
880 Bryant Street, San Francisco 94103

Information: (415)553-1752
Hours: 8 - 5pm, Monday - Friday
http://www.sfdistrictattorney.org/

EVICTION DEFENSE COLLABORATIVE

Provides legal assistance (at low cost and/or sliding scale) with eviction papers (unlawful detainer), a notice to vacate from the sheriff or a notice to defendants from Superior Court that an unlawful detainer has been filed. If you have a 3-day or 60-day, you can contact us. Once you get the court papers, you must go to Eviction Defense. We cannot help you. It is best NOT to call them. Go to their office. No appointment neccesary. Bring all the papers that you have received.

EVICTION DEFENSE COLLABORATIVE
995 Market/6th, 12th floor, SF, CA 94103
Hours: 9:30 - 11:30am, and 1:00 - 3:00pm, Monday - Friday
http://www.evictiondefense.org/

HEALTH DEPARTMENT

For complaints about garbage, mold, asbestos, insects, bugs or rodents. An inspector will come to your apartment and write up a report.

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SECTION, DEPT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
390 Market Street, Suite 210, SF, CA 94102
To Report Unsanitary Conditions: (415) 252-3800
Hours: 8:00 - 5:00, Monday - Friday
http://www.sfgov.org/site/mainpages_index.asp?id=12811

SAN FRANCISCO HOUSING AUTHORITY

Provides public housing units and Section 8 vouchers to low-income tenants in SF.

1358 Egbert Ave., SF CA 94129
Information: (415) 715-3254
Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday
http://www.sfha.org

HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

Investigates and mediates complaints about discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations. Also enforces the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which mandates that a landlord make reasonable accommodations for disabled persons, such as putting in hand bars in bath tubs and allowing service and companion animals even if a lease says no pets.

25 Van Ness, Suite #800, SF, CA 94102
Information: (415)252-2500 Fax: (415)431-5764
Hours: 8 - 5, Monday - Friday
http://www.sfgov.org/site/sfhumanrights
email: hrc.info@sfgov.org

LEAD PREVENTION

Provides a childhood lead prevention program. If you have concerns about your child being exposed to lead in your apartment, call this department.

CHILDREN'S ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PROMOTION SECTION
SF DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
1390 Market, Suite 230, SF, CA 94102
Information: (415)554-8930 Fax: (415)554-8938
Hours: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday

LEGAL HELP FROM NOLO PRESS

Tenants in California can obtain legal self-help from the Nolo Press web site. Not specific to SF, but provides general info on state law. If you need specific info on rent control issues, check with the Rent Board or our tenant rights page.

NOLO PRESS SELF HELP LAW BOOKS PUBLISHERS
950 Parker Street, Berkeley, CA 94710
Information: (510) 549-1976
http://www.nolo.com/

MEDIATION SERVICES

Free third party mediation for tenants in SF who want to try and resolve disputes between themselves or with a landlord. There are two services that are free. They, of course, require voluntary participation from all parties.

COMMUNITY BOARDS
1540 Market Suite 490, SF, CA 9410 (415) 920-3820

SF RENT BOARD
25 Van Ness, room 320, SF, CA 94102 (415) 252-4602

SF SPCA

Sample leases, security deposit info, and pet resumes for persuading landlords to be animal-friendly. Some pro-pet housing referrals. If you're a tenant searching for pet-friendly housing, the SPCA can guide you in creating a résumé for your pet. Sample cat and dog résumés available.

2500 16th Street, SF, CA 94103-4213
Information: (415) 554-3000
Hours: 8 - 5, Monday - Friday
http://www.sfspca.org/opendoor/index.shtml

PLANNING DEPARTMENT

Information on planning issues. Useful for protesting new construction in one's neighborhood. Reviews private development projects and proposed capital improvements projects and other physical projects involving city property.

SAN FRANCISCO PLANNING DEPARTMENT
1650 Mission, suite 400, SF, CA 94103-2414

Information: (415) 558-6378 Fax: (415) 558-6409
Hours: 8am - 5pm, Monday - Friday
Planning Information Center, 1660 Mission, first fl., 558-6377
http://www.sfgov.org/site/planning

RENT BOARD

For information about tenant's rights under rent control, to file a petition for illegal eviction, illegal rent increase, etc. Runs a free counseling line daily 8am-4pm, 252-4602.

25 Van Ness, Room 320, SF, CA 94102
Information: (415) 252-4602 Fax: (415) 252-4699
Hours: 8 - 5, Monday - Friday
http://www.sfgov.org/site/rentboard

SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT

Provides information to tenants who are being evicted after losing their court case.

SHERIFF'S OFFICE EVICTION ASSISTANCE PROJECT
City Hall, 1 Carlton Goodlett Place, Room 456 SF, CA 94102
Information: (415) 554-7255
Hours: 8 - 5, Monday - Friday
http://www.sfsheriff.com/

SMALL CLAIMS COURT

To recover security deposits and for lawsuits under $7,500. Also useful for tenants not under rent control.

400 McAllister Suite 103, SF, CA 94102
Information: (415) 551-4000 or (415) 551-3956
Advisor-recording: (415) 292-2121
http://www.sfgov.org/site/courts

SUPERIOR COURT
Unlawful Detainer (eviction) lawsuits and lawsuits over $7,500.

400 McAllister, Suite 103, SF, CA 94102
Recording: (415) 551-4000/ Unlawful Detainer: 551-4047
Hours: 8:00 - 4:30, Monday - Friday
http://www.sftc.org