This resource is designed for Bay Area landlords, multi-unit owners, property managers, and realtors who want straightforward guidance before hiring an attorney. Here you’ll find practical answers to the issues our hourly team handles every day, from evictions to real estate disputes.
If you own or manage rental property in San Francisco or the surrounding counties, these FAQs will help you understand what to expect, how the process works, and how our attorneys protect your time, your investment, and your peace of mind.
What Landlords Need to Know About Legal Risk, Liability, and Protecting Themselves
What are the biggest legal risks landlords face in San Francisco today?
San Francisco landlords face heightened exposure due to strict local rent control, just-cause eviction rules, habitability standards, and aggressive tenant enforcement. A single procedural mistake, such as an incorrect notice, missed deadline, or improper communication, can lead to dismissed cases, significant delays, or tenant lawsuits seeking damages and attorney’s fees.
Can a landlord be sued even if they believe they followed the law?
Yes. Landlords can still face claims even when acting in good faith. Tenants may allege wrongful eviction, retaliation, harassment, or habitability violations, and those claims are often evaluated independently of the landlord’s intent. Legal exposure often turns on technical compliance, documentation, and timing rather than motive.
Does using a property manager protect me from legal liability?
No. Property managers do not shield landlords from liability. Landlords remain legally responsible for notices, compliance with local ordinances, and the actions taken on their behalf. Mistakes made by a property manager can still expose the owner to lawsuits, fines, or delayed proceedings.
What should landlords document to protect themselves in a dispute?
Landlords should maintain clear records of notices served, communications with tenants, repair requests and responses, payment histories, and compliance with local requirements. Proper documentation can be critical if a tenant contests an eviction or raises counterclaims.
When is it better to resolve a dispute instead of pursuing eviction or litigation?
In some situations, negotiated resolutions or structured move-out agreements may reduce risk, cost, and time compared to contested litigation. Whether that approach makes sense depends on the property, tenant history, local regulations, and potential exposure. An attorney can help assess whether litigation or resolution better protects the landlord’s interests.
What Landlords Need to Know About Eviction Process Risks and Timing
How long does an eviction usually take in San Francisco?
Eviction timelines depend on the tenant’s response and the city’s procedural rules, but most cases take several weeks to several months. San Francisco’s highly regulated environment means one error or delay can reset the process entirely. Our team ensures every notice, filing, and timeline is handled correctly so your case keeps moving forward.
What happens if a tenant contests the eviction or files a response?
If a tenant files an answer, the case moves into the litigation phase and may involve hearings, motions, or a trial. This can extend the timeline significantly. In San Francisco, procedural requirements are strict, and contested cases often turn on technical compliance with notice, service, and filing rules.
Can I recover unpaid rent or property damage after a tenant moves out?
In some situations, yes. If a tenant leaves owing rent or causes damage beyond normal wear and tear, a landlord may be able to pursue a separate claim. Whether recovery is practical depends on the tenant’s financial situation, available documentation, and the cost of pursuing the claim. These matters are typically handled separately from the eviction itself.
What risks do landlords face when handling an eviction without legal guidance?
Landlords who attempt to manage an eviction on their own often encounter problems related to notice errors, missed deadlines, or procedural mistakes. In San Francisco, even small errors can invalidate the case and require the process to start over, resulting in additional delays and financial exposure.
When should I contact an attorney about a potential eviction issue?
As soon as the situation appears likely to escalate. Early legal guidance can help landlords avoid procedural missteps, understand available options, and determine whether an issue can be resolved before formal proceedings begin. Waiting until the matter becomes urgent often limits flexibility and increases risk.
What Landlords Need to Know About Unlawful Detainers (Evictions)
How long does an eviction usually take in San Francisco?
Eviction timelines depend on the tenant’s response and the city’s procedural rules, but most cases take several weeks to several months. San Francisco’s highly regulated environment means one error or delay can reset the process entirely. Our team ensures every notice, filing, and timeline is handled correctly so your case keeps moving forward.
What happens if I serve the wrong notice or make a paperwork mistake?
A single mistake can invalidate the entire eviction and expose you to significant financial risk. In San Francisco, even a typo in a notice can derail the case. Many landlords come to us after losing time or money because of incorrect forms or generic online templates. Our attorneys prepare, review, and file everything so your case is protected from day one.
Can I evict a tenant who isn’t paying rent if they seem emotionally distressed or hostile?
Yes, but you must follow strict procedures. Emotion, urgency, or frustration cannot influence what the law requires. Many mom-and-pop landlords get pulled into conversations or attempts to negotiate directly, which can complicate the case. We help you avoid missteps and keep everything within legal boundaries so you stay protected and compliant.
Do you handle eviction cases outside San Francisco?
Yes. While our deepest expertise is in San Francisco’s ordinances, we also handle cases throughout the Bay Area where state law applies, including Marin, Sonoma, Napa, San Mateo, Daly City, and Contra Costa County. Oakland targeting may expand soon as the firm designates an internal East Bay ordinance expert.
What should I expect to pay for an eviction case?
Costs depend on property type, tenant behavior, procedural steps, and how quickly the tenant responds. Multi-unit owners and property managers often see more predictable timelines, while single-property landlords may face unexpected delays. We always explain fees transparently, keep billing efficient, and focus on solving the problem quickly so you can move forward.
What Landlords Need to Know About Real Estate Disputes, Buyouts & Litigation
What types of real estate disputes do you handle for landlords?
We represent landlords in deposit disputes, specific performance actions, failure-to-disclose matters, real estate purchase disagreements, and landlord defense lawsuits. We also handle pre-litigation strategy when a case can be resolved early through negotiation.
What is a partition action and when would I need one?
A partition is used when co-owners want to separate their interests in a property. This often arises when siblings inherit property or when unmarried partners split up. We help clients navigate disputes over buyouts, accounting, maintenance contributions, and breaches of fiduciary duty.
Can you help if a buyer or seller tries to back out of a real estate deal?
Yes. If the other side is refusing to cooperate, you may need a specific performance action to enforce the agreement. We also handle disputes involving failed escrows, disputed deposits, and situations where one party is trying to walk away without legal justification.
Do you handle post-eviction collections or claims for damage caused by former tenants?
Yes. When tenants leave unpaid rent, property damage, or unresolved obligations after an eviction or move-out, we can pursue claims for the remaining balance. These cases often fall within Jethro’s scope and can be handled efficiently when documentation is strong.
How do you support realtors or property managers facing tenant-related issues during a sale?
Realtors frequently rely on us when tenant issues are holding up a closing or reducing a property’s value. Whether it’s a buyout negotiation, clarification of rights, or clearing disputes that make the property hard to market, we help resolve the tenant problem so the transaction can move forward. Many agents consider us a trusted resource when timing and accuracy matter most.
