San Francisco Landlord Compliance · Landlord Rules
What landlords cannot do in San Francisco
The city layers its own rent and eviction rules on top of California law. Here is what that rules out, in the situations where it applies, and what to do instead.
Written by Platuni's compliance editorsReviewed by a California housing attorney · 9 min read
The short answer
- 1.Raise rent above the annual allowable increase (currently 1.4%) on covered units without a petition.
- 2.End a tenancy without one of the 16 listed just causes, from day one of the tenancy.
- 3.Keep a deposit without paying annual interest, or deduct for ordinary wear.
- 4.Enter without 24 hours' written notice, outside business hours, or without a stated reason.
- 5.Pressure a tenant to leave, including repeated buyout offers after a refusal.
- 6.Reject applicants for using a housing voucher, or screen inconsistently.
This covers
- · Multi-unit buildings built before June 1979
- · Single-family homes and condos (eviction rules only)
- · Owner-occupied buildings with 2+ units
- · Rented in-law and accessory units
Usually exempt
- · New construction after June 13, 1979 (rent rules)
- · Units where you share a kitchen or bath with the tenant
- · Government-subsidized housing with its own rules
How much you can raise the rent
San Francisco's Rent Ordinance caps the annual allowable increase for covered units at 1.4%, for the period running March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027. The Rent Board publishes the rate each year, and it applies on top of — not instead of — any statewide limit.
To increase rent above the annual allowable amount, a landlord must petition the Rent Board and show a qualifying reason, such as capital improvements or rising operating costs. Increases can't be backdated, and written notice must be served before the increase takes effect.
Do this instead
Check the current allowable rate, confirm the last increase date, then serve a 30-day notice (90 days if the total increase in 12 months is over 10%). Rent increase guide →
Just cause to end a tenancy
Once a tenancy has lasted any length of time, ending it requires one of 16 just causes listed in the Rent Ordinance — split between "at-fault" reasons, like non-payment or a lease violation, and "no-fault" reasons, like an owner move-in or an Ellis Act withdrawal.
Most no-fault evictions require a relocation payment to the tenant, and the notice has to name the specific just cause being used.
Do this instead
Identify the cause, serve the specific notice that cause requires, and file the notice with the Rent Board within 10 days. Ending a tenancy guide →
Deposit interest and deductions
Landlords must pay tenants annual interest on security deposits at the rate set by the Rent Board, credited or paid each year the tenancy continues.
Deductions are limited to unpaid rent, the cost to repair damage beyond ordinary wear and tear, and cleaning needed to return the unit to its move-in condition — itemized in writing within 21 days of move-out.
Do this instead
Pay or credit annual interest at the Rent Board's published rate, and itemize any deductions in writing within 21 days of move-out. Deposit guide →
When a landlord can enter
Outside of emergencies, entry requires at least 24 hours' written notice, has to happen during normal business hours, and must state a reason permitted under California Civil Code.
Do this instead
Give at least 24 hours' written notice, schedule entry during business hours, and state the reason in the notice. Entry notice guide →
Buyouts and tenant harassment
Before discussing a buyout, landlords must give the tenant a Rent Board disclosure form, and once an agreement is signed, file it with the Rent Board.
Repeated buyout offers after a tenant has declined, along with other pressure meant to force a move-out, can be treated as harassment under the Ordinance.
Do this instead
Give the Rent Board disclosure before any buyout talk, and file the signed agreement once it's reached. Buyout guide →
Screening and housing vouchers
San Francisco requires landlords to accept housing vouchers and other lawful sources of income as valid payment, and screening criteria must be applied the same way to every applicant.
Do this instead
Use one written screening standard for every applicant and keep the completed record for each decision. Screening guide →
Reading this as a tenant? The rules above apply to you too. The Rent Board's counseling line and the tenant version of this guide are the better starting points.
More on rent and eviction in San Francisco
Sources and review
- 1.San Francisco Administrative Code, Chapter 37 (Residential Rent Stabilization and Arbitration Ordinance), §§37.3, 37.9, 37.10B. Checked 2 Sep 2026.
- 2.California Civil Code §§1946.2, 1947.12 (Tenant Protection Act), 1950.5 (deposits), 1954 (entry).
- 3.California Government Code §12955 (Fair Employment and Housing Act).
- 4.Rent Board annual allowable increase and deposit interest notices, 2026.
Substantive review means an editor re-checked each cited section against the current code, not that the page was re-saved. Corrections: compliance@platuni.com.