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San Francisco Short Term Rental Lawyer


Short-Term Rental Service Issues


Short Term Rental Lawyer in San Francisco, CA


In San Francisco, few things have changed the way people find vacation accommodations — and in some cases, even short-term rentals — more than websites like Airbnb, HomeAway, and VRBO. While these sites are a popular and easy way for people to connect with housing options in the city, they aren’t without their share of potential legal problems. While rentals of fewer than 30 days are no longer illegal in San Francisco, the short-term lessor (either a building owner or a tenant) must comply with certain regulations. Our San Francisco short-term rental lawyer can help you resolve rental service issues in California.

Short-Term Rental in San Francisco, CA


Short-term rentals are a rapidly changing area of California real estate law. Lawmakers recognize the need to address the popularity of sites like Airbnb while ensuring that property owners do not lose all control over what happens to their property. As attorneys who have written extensively on landlord-tenant law, our San Francisco landlord tenant lawyers keep up with legal changes to help you when you need it most.

Call us at 415-991-6078 to schedule a consultation with our San Francisco real estate attorneys at Steven Adair MacDonald & Partners, P.C. and get help with your real estate concerns and rental issues today!

Why You Need A Short Term Rental Lawyer in California

In worst-case scenarios, tenants and owners who use online hosting platforms (like Airbnb, HomeAway, and VRBO) and who do not comply with short-term rental regulations, could find themselves suddenly facing fines by the San Francisco Office of Short-Term Rentals. In cases involving a tenant who is not in compliance with the law, they may also be served with an eviction notice for illegal use of the property.

Although an apartment can now be rented on a short-term basis in San Francisco, an owner or tenant wishing to rent it for a short period of time must:

  • Register with the San Francisco Office of Short-Term Rentals
  • Pay a registration fee
  • Obtain liability insurance
  • Pay a short-term rental tax
  • Post safety information
  • Keep compliance records

Only those owners or tenants who personally live in the unit as their principal place of residence can rent that unit on a short-term basis. If you’re unfamiliar with the short-term rental regulations, speak with a San Francisco rental lawyer today.

Don’t approach a lease dispute without experienced, aggressive legal counsel from our short term rental lawyers in San Francisco, CA and the Bay Area. Call us at 415-991-6078 to get legal help today.

Real Estate Disputes?


Whether you're dealing with a landlord-tenant dispute or addressing a real estate concern in California, our San Francisco real estate attorneys are here to protect your rights.

Short-Term Rental Rules and Regulations in San Francisco, CA


Short-term rentals are common in San Francisco. While these type of rentals only last for less than 30 days, there are still certain rules and regulations that a landlord must follow. Call us at 415-991-6078 to schedule a consultation with our short-term rental lawyers today!

You are the owner or the permanent resident of the unit you wish to rent.


To be considered a permanent resident, you need to spend a minimum of 275 nights per year in the property you wish to host short-term rentals. If you own or rent a building with multiple units, you’re allowed to register only the specific residential unit where you are staying.

You are registered in San Francisco as a short-term rental.


Landlords are only allowed to offer short-term rental services after obtaining a Business Registration Certificate for the rental unit from the San Francisco Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector. You must also receive a certificate from the Office of Short-Term Rentals. Then, you must post the certificate number on all your listings advertising the short-term rental.

To help you become a legal short-term rental host in California, call our San Francisco short-term rental lawyers at  415-991-6078 to help you process all the necessary paperwork.

You are only allowed to rent 90 unhosted nights every year.


An “unhosted rental” occurs when you’re not present in your rental property during the guest’s stay. Registered short-term rental hosts are only allowed to facilitate unhosted short-term rentals for a maximum of 90 nights per year. This is in addition to the rule that you must stay at least 275 nights in the property every year.

The good news is that you can rent short-term a portion or your entire unit while you’re also present for an unlimited period every year. However, the unit needs to be registered.

To help you comply with all short term-rental rules and regulations, you need to have an experienced real estate attorney by your side. Our San Francisco short-term rental lawyers can help you avoid legal problems in your rental property.

Call our short-term rental service lawyers today at 415-991-6078 so we can help you with your short-term rental concerns, habitability issues, commercial landlord-tenant disputes, and other real estate concerns

Common Short-Term Rental Issues


While most short-term rentals are generally hassle-free, some unforeseen circumstances can lead to problems for the landlord. In some cases, you may even need legal assistance for your rental issues.

Some common concerns that occur in an Airbnb or VRBO short-term rental include:

  • Misplaced, damaged, or stolen household items
  • Property damage or broken amenities
  • Ordinance violations in the local community due to tenants partying or causing a disturbance
  • Damage to property or vandalism that leads to local violations.

Although these issues mainly focus on the rental property itself, state and local ordinances in San Francisco, CA also regulate short-term rentals. Violations of these ordinances can lead to legal liability for landlords.

Steven Adair MacDonald & Partners, P.C. can help you navigate the complexities of SF short-term rental requirements as well as assist you in pursuing accountability from problematic tenants. Call us at 415-991-6078 to schedule a consultation with our San Francisco short-term rental lawyers. Get help with your real estate concerns and rental issues today!

Call Our Short-Term Rental Lawyer Today!


Charged with violating short-term rental regulations? Our San Francisco real estate litigation attorney can help.

Our San Francisco short-term rental lawyers have developed reputations not just as aggressive litigators, but also as problem solvers — lawyers who can find hope and a path to a positive outcome even when the circumstances may seem beyond help. When your financial health and home stability are at stake, you need our problem-solving experience.

Don’t assume the worst, and don’t give up without a fight. Our San Francisco short-term rental lawyer can provide quality legal assistance and representation to resolve your short-term rental service issues in San Francisco and elsewhere in the Bay.

If you have questions about landlord-tenant laws regarding the eviction process, rent control, and more, schedule a consultation with our San Francisco landlord-tenant & real estate attorneys. Contact our San Francsico real estate law firm by sending us an email or calling 415-562-0504 today!

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