Your landlord, one of the biggest in the city, is buying up new buildings all over the city. They are notorious for driving out long-term tenants in order to raise rents.
Their tactics include: harassing tenants, failing to do required repairs, fake eviction notices, illegal evictions, offering tenants small amounts of money to move out, and other unprincipled practices.
But you don't have to move out: there are some very simple ways to protect yourself:
• Request that all communication between you and your landlord be in writing. Keep a log of all contacts and interactions with them.
• You will likely get a "New Lease or "New House Rules" when CitiApartments buys your building. Before signing anything, get advice about it first from a tenant counselor. You do not have to sign these forms immediately, and you do not have to agree to new rules that are very different from your old lease. You do NOT have to sign or verbally agree to anything.
• Do not go to any meetings or interviews at 2099 Market Street. The company may say it is mandatory, but it is your legal right not to attend. You do not have to volunteer any information about your tenancy to agents or representatives of the landlord, not even your own building manager.
• Do not allow anyone representing the landlord or management to enter your apartment if they arrive unannounced, or without first serving you with a legitimate "24 hour notice to enter." Say you are busy and request that all communications be in writing. Seek advice about the legitimacy of any notice. Ask a friend, neighbor, or representative of CITI-STOP to be present whenever someone from the company seeks to enter your apartment.
• CitiApartments frequently issues eviction and other notices that will not stand up in court. Please seek counseling immediately if you receive an eviction notice or a buyout offer. DO NOT assume you have to move!
Have You Been Offered a Buyout?
CitiApartments wants as many long-term tenants out as possible, and they will often offer small amounts of money to tenants to entice them to leave. These offers are far less than the difference in rent tenants will pay when they move into another market-rate apartment in the city. Buyouts are illegal evictions.
Request in writing any offer CitiApartments makes you. Do not agree to anything in person or on the phone. If you have questions about whether an offer is fair, visit one of the tenant counseling organizations listed below. You do NOT have to accept any buyout offer. You do NOT have to move!
• Don't be afraid to assert your rights. Tenants who assert their rights are safer than those who do not. Many tenants have successfully defended their homes by working together. Tenants have educated each other, won building-wide law suits, and improvements for their buildings.
There are a number of tenant organizations that can assist with harassment and other problems, and that can refer you to an attorney if necessary.
If you are experiencing trouble with your new landlord, seek help from a counseling organization:
SF Tenants Union
558 Capp Street
counseling hours online at www.sftu.org or 415-282-6622
St. Peters Housing Committee
474 Valencia St., Rm. 156
415-487-9203
Housing Rights Committee
427 So. Van Ness Ave.
415-487-9203
