Learn about San Francisco rental laws

The San Francisco Rent Ordinance offers rent control and eviction protections for most tenants.

What to do

Check when your building was built

The first step is to find out when your building was built. You can search your address on the Property Information Map

If your unit was built before June 13, 1979, and is not used as a single family dwelling, it may have both:

  • Rent control 
  • Eviction protection

Rent Control

Rent control means that landlords can typically only increase the rent by a certain percentage each year. For example, the allowed rent increase percentage for 2024 to February 28, 2025 is 1.7%.

  • Some units are hard to classify. If you are unsure about your unit then you should speak with a Rent Board counselor.
  • In some circumstances a landlord can increase rent over the allowable percentage. However, the landlord will need to follow rent increase laws.
  • Some units may still be covered by the California Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482) even if it does not have rent control.

Eviction Protection

Eviction protection means that a landlord must have "just cause" to evict their tenants.

Examples of "just cause"

  • The tenant fails to pay rent or is often late with payment
  • The tenant breaks the terms of their rental agreement or uses the rental unit for an illegal reason
  • The tenant interferes with others' comfort, safety, or enjoyment of the building
  • The landlord plans to move into the unit or move an immediate family member in
  • The landlord plans to convert the unit into a condo and sell it
  • The landlord plans to perform work to improve the unit that will make the unit unlivable during construction (your tenant must be allowed to reoccupy the unit immediately after the work is completed)
  • The landlord plans to remove all rental units in a building from the rental market under the state Ellis Act

Learn more about evictions, or speak with a Rent Board counselor. 

Some units only have eviction protection

Some units have eviction protections, but do not have rent control protections:

You can speak with a counselor if you have questions. 

Rent Board counselor

Weekday free counseling hours (9 am to noon and 1 to 4pm)

Special cases

Units without local rent control or eviction protections

Units without local rent control or eviction protections

Some units are not covered by local rent control or eviction protections:

Get help

Phone

Rent Board counselor

Monday through Friday, 9 am to 12 pm and 1 to 4 pm.

Last updated March 26, 2024

Department