The Eviction Process
A step by step guide to the Eviction Process.
Eviction
Eviction is a legal process. San Francisco's eviction requirements apply to most residential properties, including apartments, houses, condominiums, single family dwellings, and even buildings built after 1979.
“Notice of eviction”
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Overview
Eviction is a legal process.
A landlord cannot legally lock out a tenant, throw away a tenant's possessions, shut off utilities, or engage in harassing behavior to remove a tenant. They must follow the legal process.
Typically it requires a written notice, a lawsuit known as an unlawful detainer action, a judgment by the court, and a removal by the Sheriff.
It is highly recommended that you speak with an attorney.
Just Cause
Most residential tenants in San Francisco have eviction protections. That means a landlord must have "just cause" to evict.
These "just causes" can include scenarios where a tenant does not pay rent, is a nuisance, or breaches the lease. This is an "at fault" eviction.
This can also include "no fault" evictions where a landlord wishes to move into a unit or wishes to get out of the rental business under the state Ellis Act.
Get help
Eviction is a complicated process. Whether you are a landlord or a tenant it is recommended that you seek legal help.
If you have general questions you can contact the Rent Board at 415-252-4600.
If you need legal assistance you may be able to find help from our Rent Board Referral Listing.
If you live in San Francisco and need help paying rent you may be able to get help from a rental assistance program.
For all other kinds of help you may want to try the SF Service Guide.
Eviction notices
An eviction notice is a legal document that terminates a tenancy and tells the tenant to vacate the unit within a specific time frame, usually within 3, 10, 30, 60, or 120 days.
All eviction notices must be in writing and contain certain information.
The Unlawful Detainer
The Unlawful Detainer can only be filed in Superior Court after the eviction notice has expired.
If a tenant receives the Unlawful Detainer they have 5 business days to respond or they risk a default judgment. A default judgment means a tenant may have automatically lost their case.
If you are a tenant, and you receive an Unlawful Detainer Summons and Complaint, you should contact the Eviction Defense Collaborative at 415-659-9184 for free legal help.
Learn more about Unlawful Detainer actions in court.
Report a wrongful eviction
If you think you are being evicted illegally, you can report the eviction to the Rent Board.
"At fault" evictions
Nonpayment of rent
Nonpayment of rent
A tenant who does not pay rent or who habitually misses rent payment may be subject to an eviction.
If you live in San Francisco and need help paying rent you may be able to get help from a rental assistance program.
Nuisance
Nuisance
A tenant may be evicted for nuisance or substantial interference with the comfort, safety, or enjoyment of the landlord or other tenants in the building.
The nature of the nuisance or substantial interference must be severe, continuing or reoccurring in nature.
The Rent Board cannot provide legal advice and cannot define what does or does not constitute nuisance.
Breach of lease
Breach of lease
The Rent Ordinance allows the landlord to evict a tenant for breach of a rental agreement or lease after the landlord gives the tenant an opportunity to cure the breach and the tenant fails to do so.
Breach of no subletting clause/ occupancy limits
Breach of no subletting clause/ occupancy limits
The Rent Ordinance generally allows tenants to replace departing roommates and/or to increase the number of occupants living in the unit, including family members, even when prohibited by a written lease.
Learn more about evictions based on breach of subletting clause/ occupancy limits.
An "at fault" eviction is an eviction where the tenant is alleged to be at fault.
This may include nonpayment of rent, nuisance, breach of lease, etc.
These types of evictions normally require at least a 3 day notice.
"No fault" evictions
Owner or relative move-in
Owner or relative move-in
A landlord may recover possession of a rental unit for the occupancy of the owner or a relative of the owner for use as their principal residence for a period of at least 36 continuous months.
This is a very complex process and it is highly recommended that you seek legal advice before attempting this type of eviction or defending against this type of eviction.
Learn more about evictions based on owner or relative move-in.
Learn more about the notice requirements for an owner or relative move-in.
Ellis Act eviction
Ellis Act eviction
The Ellis Act is a type of eviction that allows owners to go out of the residential housing business.
This is a very complex process and it is highly recommended that you seek legal advice before attempting this type of eviction or defending against this type of eviction.
Temporary evictions for Capital Improvements
Temporary evictions for Capital Improvements
A landlord may temporarily evict a tenant pursuant to Ordinance Section 37.9(a)(11) if the landlord seeks in good faith and without ulterior motive to temporarily remove the unit from housing use in order to carry out capital improvements or rehabilitation work.
Learn more about temporary evictions for Capital Improvements.
The relocation fee rate for this type of eviction can vary based on the length of the temporary eviction. If the eviction is for less than 20 days then the rate is governed by state law and not the Rent Ordinance. Check here for current relocation payment amounts.
Evictions to demolish or permanently remove a unit from housing use
Evictions to demolish or permanently remove a unit from housing use
A landlord may evict a tenant if the landlord seeks to demolish or to otherwise permanently remove the rental unit from housing use.
Learn more about evictions to demolish or permanently remove a unit from housing use.
Evictions based on substantial rehabilitation
Evictions based on substantial rehabilitation
A landlord may evict a tenant pursuant to Ordinance Section 37.9(a)(12) in order to perform substantial rehabilitation of a building containing essentially uninhabitable residential rental units of 50+ years of age which require substantial renovation in order to conform to contemporary standards.
Learn more about evictions based on substantial rehabilitation.
Some evictions are not because of tenant behavior.
There are evictions for owner or relative move-in, Ellis Act evictions, and others.
These evictions have different notice requirements but often require relocation payments.
Special cases
Roommates and subtenants
Roommates and subtenants
Only landlords are allowed to evict their tenants.
A master tenant is considered a landlord in relation to his or her subtenant, meaning that a master tenant may be able to evict a subtenant.
Not under the Rent Ordinance
Not under the Rent Ordinance
While most units in San Francisco are under the Rent Ordinance, not every unit is. Many affordable housing units are not under the Rent Ordinance and do not have eviction protections.
Even in these cases, a landlord is still required to go through the legal eviction process. They are still required to provide a notice and go through the unlawful detainer process to evict.
Single family dwellings, condominiums, buildings built after 1979
Single family dwellings, condominiums, buildings built after 1979
While some buildings previously did not have eviction protections, under current San Francisco law, most privately rented dwelling units fall under the Rent Ordinance's eviction protections.
This includes single family dwellings, condominiums, and buildings built after 1979.
Check here for current rules and regulations under the San Francisco Rent Ordinance.
The Eviction Moratorium
The Eviction Moratorium
The Eviction Moratorium ended on August 29, 2023.
The Unlawful Detainer
If you receive an Unlawful Detainer you should immediately contact the Eviction Defense Collaborative at 415-659-9184.
About
The San Francisco Rent Board supports tenants and landlords in San Francisco by providing information and resources on the Rent Ordinance.
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