San Francisco Rent Board
The Rent Board administers the Rent Ordinance, offers counseling by phone and in person, publishes the yearly allowable increase for rent-controlled units and hears tenant and landlord petitions.
Official source ↗Tenant rights · San Francisco, San Francisco County
Renting in San Francisco?
The Rent Ordinance protects most tenants.
San Francisco's Rent Ordinance gives most tenants just cause eviction protection, and many older units also have limits on rent increases. Tenant First connects you with an independent California-licensed attorney who can check your notice against the local rules.
A free, no-obligation first call. Fee terms explained in writing before any work starts.
Independent California attorneysFee terms in writing up frontNo obligation
What is local in San Francisco
The Rent Board, the court and free help
Eviction notices under the Rent Ordinance
A notice must state the just cause the landlord relies on and include the Rent Board's required attachments. For most causes other than nonpayment of rent, the landlord must file a copy with the Rent Board within 10 days of serving it.
Official source ↗ACCESS Center at the Superior Court
The court's self-help ACCESS Center at 400 McAllister Street can show eligible tenants how to fill out eviction forms. The court's eviction page also lists local tenant organizations such as the Eviction Defense Collaborative.
Official source ↗Rent control and just cause are different
In San Francisco, just cause protection reaches far more units than rent control. Many newer buildings, and some single-family homes and condos, have just cause protection but no local limit on rent increases, though the statewide cap may still apply. Rent control generally applies to older buildings. Which category you are in depends on the age and type of the building and on your tenancy, so ask the Rent Board or an attorney before assuming either way.
Before you move out
If a landlord asks you to leave for a no-fault reason, such as an owner move-in, San Francisco law requires relocation payments and sets strict conditions on the landlord. Buyout offers in rent-controlled units also have local disclosure and filing rules. If you received a notice or a buyout offer, gather your lease and rent records and get advice before you agree to anything or move out, because leaving may give up rights you cannot get back.
Counseling and filing deadlines
The Rent Board's counselors can explain how the Rent Ordinance applies to your unit, but they do not represent you. If you receive court papers, the response deadline runs from the date you were served, regardless of any Rent Board process. San Francisco voters have also approved a right to counsel for tenants facing eviction, and the court's eviction page lists organizations that can help you find representation. Contact them as soon as you are served, not on the last day.
Local information as of October 2026. Court locations, hours and local rules change; check the official source before you go.
Easy to start
No big leap.
Just a first step.
You tell us what is going on. We find the right attorney for it.
- 01
A few words about your situation.
Choose your topic and leave your contact details. You don’t need a complete file to get started.
- 02
A free first call.
Our intake team gets in touch, clarifies what you need and connects you with an independent attorney licensed in California.
- 03
Clear fee terms before any work.
The attorney reviews your case and explains the scope and the fee arrangement in writing. You decide whether to go ahead.
Who is behind Tenant First
Leon E. Johnson
Managing Partner, Omnilex · San Francisco
Tenant First is part of Omnilex. Leon leads Omnilex’s US business from San Francisco. He is a California attorney and spent about twelve years at Goodwin and Kirkland & Ellis before joining Omnilex.
Leon does not take on the individual matters that come through this site. Your matter is handled by the independent California attorney you choose to engage, who works in landlord-tenant law.
- Admitted in California since 2015 (State Bar #302786), also Utah; Texas inactive
- JD, Harvard Law School · BS Finance, Brigham Young University
- Speaks English, Spanish, Russian
You may still be wondering …
Before we
talk.
Does the Rent Board decide eviction cases?
No. Only the Superior Court can order an eviction. The Rent Board handles rent and service petitions, counseling and reports of alleged wrongful eviction.
Is my newer apartment covered?
Possibly by just cause protection even if it is not rent controlled. The Rent Board can explain how the ordinance applies to your building.
What does the first call cost?
The first call is free and without obligation. If you want an attorney to take on your matter, the attorney explains the scope and fee arrangement in writing before any work starts.
What happens after I send my request?
Our intake team reviews your request and gets in touch to clarify it and arrange the call. Sending the form does not create an attorney-client relationship and does not book an appointment.
The first step is free
So you can get back to simply living at home.
Time for your situation.
Clear, personal and without obligation.