Grounds for Eviction in SF - The San Francisco Rent Ordinance lists 14 "just cause" grounds for eviction. The most common are:

• Non-payment of rent
• Chronic late payment of rent - this means more than once or twice, and the tenant has been warned that this is not acceptable to the landlord
• Creating a nuisance - the nature of the nuisance must be specifically stated on the notice
• Owner move-in (or occupancy of a member of the landlord's immediate family)
• To perform capital improvements which will make the unit uninhabitable while the work is being done (in which case the tenant must be allowed to reoccupy the unit once the work is completed).

Penalities for "Wrongful Eviction"

If a landlord seeks to recover (or actually recovers) possession of a rental unit and is found in violation of the Rent Ordinace, the landlord could be found guilty of a misdemeanor, and the tenant may bring a civil action for damages and attorney's fees. Damages in a "wrongful eviction" action may be substantial.

If you believe you have been "wrongfully evicted" contact us for advice.