The San Francisco Rent Ordinance regulates rents and evictions for certain residential rental units in San Francisco. There is no commercial rent control in San Francisco.
The Rent Board’s primary function is to conduct hearings and mediations of tenant and landlord petitions regarding the adjustment of rents under the City’s rent control laws. The Rent Board also investigates Reports of Alleged Wrongful Eviction, although the Rent Board’s authority in such matters is limited since only the Court can decide whether an eviction is legal.
The Rent Board cannot arbitrate matters that are not part of the Rent Ordinance. For example, the Rent Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate alleged breaches of a rental agreement, which must be decided in court. The Rent Board also cannot hear cases concerning issues of discrimination, harassment or retaliation, as such matters are outside of its jurisdiction.
The Rent Board’s website is an invaluable resources with a tremendous wealth of information regarding tenant’s rights.