What to do
You must file your appeal within 15 calendar days of the mailing of the Decision.
1. Fill out the form
You must fill out an "Appeal to the Board" form.
On the form, write:
- Your case number
- The judge's name
- The date the Decision was mailed
- Your name and contact info
- The other party and their contact info
- Any lawyers, or representatives, involved and their contact info
2. Prepare a written statement
You should not appeal a Rent Board Decision just because you do not like it. There must be a valid reason for you to appeal.
Write a statement (or contact a lawyer for help) that explains why you want to appeal the Rent Board Decision.
- Explain why you think the Decision was wrong or based on error
- Include any important evidence or explanations that may support your position in a clear manner
- Make sure that everything you want the commissioners to know about your appeal is in your written statement (there will be no opportunity to provide oral testimony to the Commissioners)
Landlord financial hardship
If your appeal is based on landlord financial hardship, you must complete a separate Form 558 Hardship Appeal form. Form 558 is available in the Forms Center.
3. Collect supporting documents
Collect any evidence to support your statement
For example:
- Copies of emails
- Bank statements
Supplemental replies should not be submitted any later than 5 days before the Board meeting.
Any documents received within 5 days of a Board Meeting will be provided to the Commission but may not be considered.
Please do not file any documents both by email and in hard copy, choose one or the other.
If you wish the Commission to have color copies, do not file by email.
4. Submit your appeal packet
Single PDF file
Combine all of your supporting documents with the form in a single pdf file. Do not include links, videos, or audio files.
Email your appeal packet to:
No copies are required if your appeal is submitted by email. If you file by email, you must file the appeal as a single pdf document. No video files, audio files, zip files, Dropbox links, Google drive links, or similar are accepted. Do not submit multiple pdfs or multiple emails. If your appeal cannot be provided in a single pdf, file it in person, by mail or delivery service.
Large appeal packet
If your appeal packet exceeds 40 pages, you must file either by regular mail, delivery service or at the front counter with 16 copies provided.
5. View the relevant Rent Board Commission Meeting
The Rent Board Commissioners will review the appeal packet and decide on it at a monthly Rent Board Commission meeting. Information will be posted 72 hours in advance of the meeting.
Public comment can be given in-person.
When the Commissioners consider an appeal, they may take any of the following actions:
- Deny the appeal
- Remand the case to an Administrative Law Judge for further action
- Schedule an appeal hearing before the Board
- Order correction of numerical or clerical errors in the decision
If you require an interpreter, listening device, or reasonable accommodation, call us at 415-252-4636. Please make requests at least 72 hours prior to the meeting to help ensure availability.
In-Person
In-Person
Make copies
Follow steps 1 to 3 above. When you are done, make enough copies of your appeal packet for:
- Each party in the case
- All 16 Rent Board commissioners and staff
Submit your appeal packet
Bring all copies of your appeal packet to:
Rent Board
25 Van Ness AvenueSuite #320
San Francisco, CA 94102
Mon to Fri,
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
(closed holidays)
Make copies
Follow steps 1 to 3 above. When you are done, make enough copies of your appeal packet for:
- Each party in the case
- All 16 Rent Board commissioners and staff
Submit your appeal packet
Mail all copies of your appeal packet to:
Rent Board
25 Van Ness AvenueSuite #320
San Francisco, CA 94102
Mon to Fri,
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
(closed holidays)
Special cases
If you did not receive a hearing or mediation notice
If you did not receive a hearing or mediation notice
If you did not appear for your hearing or mediation because you did not receive notice of the date in the mail, you must also complete and submit a Declaration of Non-Receipt of Notice of Hearing form.
Landlord Hardship Appeal
Landlord Hardship Appeal
A landlord or master tenant may appeal on the basis of financial hardship provided the appeal is attached to a completed "Landlord Hardship Application."
The information contained in this form will provide the Rent Board Commissioners with a basis for deciding whether or not to grant your appeal.
Landlords should be aware that the Commissioners will be looking at your total financial picture, not just the income generated by the building at issue in this case.
Withdrawal of a pending appeal
Withdrawal of a pending appeal
To withdraw a pending appeal, fill out the Notice of Withdrawal of Appeal form and email it to rentboard@sfgov.org.
Get help
Rent Board
25 Van Ness AvenueSuite #320
San Francisco, CA 94102
Mon to Fri,
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
(closed holidays)
Phone
Rent Board counselor
Phone counseling hours are Monday - Friday 9:00AM – 12:00PM and 1:00PM – 4:00PM
Last updated December 11, 2023