◈ Homepage — http://www.bornstein.law/Press Alt+1 for screen-reader mode, Alt+0 to cancel Accessibility Screen-Reader Guide, Feedback, and Issue Reporting | New window Skip to content Home Consultation Meet the team Resources In the media Practice Areas The allies of landlords, property managers, and real estate professionals.  Now is not the time to hire a general law practitioner or a cousin who happens to be an attorney. The law has become very specialized and nuanced. When seeking proper counsel, a fair question to ask is, “Do you practice landlord-tenant law on a daily basis?” Managing rental relationships is all we do, and we do it well.   Request a consultation The law changes. Our core values do not. Business-Minded Counsel We are real estate investors ourselves and understand the economics behind a landlord-tenant dispute. Our goal is to help clients make smart business decisions, weighing legal strategy against cost, risk, and long-term financial impact.   Focused Expertise We focus exclusively on landlord-tenant law. By dedicating our practice to this area alone, we provide deeper expertise and sharper guidance, while respecting the expertise of other attorneys and referring clients to the right specialists when matters fall outside our field. Client Loyalty We recognize that life happens and many tenants face real challenges, and it is easy to empathize with their situations. But removed from the emotional fray, our role is clear: we fiercely advocate for our landlord clients and put their interests first in every matter we handle. Prompt Action Landlord-tenant problems rarely improve with time. We address issues quickly and directly, helping our clients resolve problems now rather than kicking the can down the road and allowing small issues to fester and become costly disputes.   Pragmatic Negotiation Our goal is to solve problems, not prolong them. We work to negotiate practical resolutions for our clients, and when it makes economic sense, we are willing to make concessions to avoid costly, time-consuming disputes. Resolution Over Conflict We don’t get jazzed about disputes the way some attorneys do. Our focus is on resolving problems as quickly and cost-effectively as possible, always weighing time, risk, and attorneys’ fees when advising our clients. Get acquainted. Meet the firm built for housing providers →   Our valued clients, referral partners, and colleagues say it best. For over three decades, Bornstein Law has helped rental property owners and their agents power through their challenges, and we've met many friends along the way. We've had the privilege of representing clients of all sizes and sophistication, but there is a special place in our hearts for vulnerable, "mom and pop" landlords who are most prone to make procedural errors in a complicated regulatory regime. Hear from raving fans »   We raise the voice of rental housing providers. Although the political rhetoric nowadays falls squarely on the side of tenants, Bornstein Law offers a fresh perspective through the lens of underrepresented property owners. Numerous media outlets have called upon us to articulate the unique challenges of landlords. IN THE MEDIA Center for New Laws The law has the shelf life of a banana peel. Every year, there are new laws for housing providers to follow, and 2026 is no exception. Learn the new regulatory regime that 2026 has ushered in, ensure your documentation is up to date, and avoid pitfalls that could lead to a six-figure lawsuit. Get a working knowledge of new laws →   Articles for astute property owners and real estate practitioners We are unaware of any other law firm so prolific in disseminating articles on topics germane to landlords and the professionals who serve them.   Peruse our Library   Miss a beat? View the archive of our regular email broadcasts and subscribe to stay in the know.  Peruse our latest email updates and join our growing community of subscribers. In California’s highly regulated, tenant-protective environment, housing providers and real estate professionals are well-advised to stay informed about the legal developments that affect their business. View archives of email broadcasts → Get the latest legal happenings and insights delivered to your inbox →   AT A GLANCE Practice Areas   At-Fault Evictions In the lifespan of a tenancy, residents have ample opportunity to violate the lease or engage in behavior that justifies eviction under state and local laws. Aside from nonpayment of rent, there are a myriad of other transgressions that could constitute a breach of the lease, such as nuisance or criminal activity, subletting the premises without permission, unauthorized alteration, denying lawful entry, and other reasons why a problematic tenant can be transitioned out. Tenant Buyout Agreements When there are no legal or convenient means to evict, landlords and tenants can engage in a meeting of the minds to negotiate a tenant surrender of possession agreement whereby the tenant vacates voluntarily in exchange for compensation. More than “cash for keys,” a properly prepared agreement releases all claims from the tenancy while giving landlords the upside potential of raising rents to market rate. In certain locales like San Francisco, Oakland, Richmond, and Berkeley, it is more than a gentlemanly handshake – these agreements are highly regulated. Rent Increases With the rising costs of operating a rental housing business, it is no wonder why landlords want to raise rents, but they are often constrained by how much the rent can be raised and the frequency of rent increases. While statewide rent control is more generous in terms of how much rents can be raised, several jurisdictions in the Bay Area have placed more constrictive limitations on rent hikes that must be followed to the letter. At any rate, proper notice must be served. Licensee Evictions Not every occupant is entitled to tenant protections. Rather, they are licensees who have permission to be on the premises and the property owner can revoke that right at any time. This is commonplace where an adult child still resides in the household because they are struggling in life. It is also prevalent when heirs and caregivers overstay their welcome after the property owner passes away. When there is no lease or rent exchanging hands and there is no tenancy, these licensees can be removed through a forcible detainer action. Reviewing and Drafting of Leases A rental agreement should be a living, breathing creature, but a recurring theme in our practice is landlords and property managers using stale, outdated lease agreements that do not account for evolving changes in the law. Housing providers must use lease agreements that ensure clarity and protections for both parties, address new living arrangements, incorporate new property rules and policies, and shield the owner from liability. If there are any donut holes in the current lease, the terms of the tenancy can be changed with proper notice. Preparation and Service of Notices Procedural errors in the drafting of notices are a surefire way to delay or lose a case, and tenants’ attorneys are adept at spotting them. No matter how strong a case the landlord has against a tenant, a lawsuit can be tossed out if procedural requirements are not followed to the letter. Bornstein Law gets this right the first time. However flawless a notice is, it must be properly served on the tenant and we have this covered, as well. No-Fault Evictions In certain circumstances, tenants can be transitioned out of the rental unit through no wrongdoing or fault of their own. Rental property owners can endeavor to recover possession of the unit to move themselves or a close relative into the unit, withdraw the unit from the rental market, substantially repair or renovate the unit, or comply with a government order. Yet no-fault evictions come with a host of procedural requirements and the obligation to dole out relocation payments. Rent Board Petitions In several jurisdictions, local rent boards are tasked with airing out landlord-tenant disputes and adjudicating requests from both parties. Tenants can petition for rent reduction when essential services are reduced, challenge rent increases, or claim that they were wrongfully evicted. Conversely, housing providers can seek exemptions from rent control, pass through costs to tenants, or argue for rent increases above allowable units. Rental Relationships in Unwarranted Units We know that there are thousands of unpermitted units throughout the Bay Area. As long as there is no acrimony in the rental relationship and the tenant is paying rent, these living arrangements work perfectly fine. Yet when issues arise, the situation can quickly deteriorate and become a costly thorn in the side of housing providers. Proper counsel can assist in bringing the unit up to compliance with building codes, cauterizing risk for owners, buyers, and sellers, and transitioning the tenants out of the rogue unit if need be. Defending Against Tenant Lawsuits Tenants enjoy a wide range of protections under state and local laws and when they feel aggrieved, there are no shortage of opportunistic attorneys willing to sue the landlord. Lawsuits are proliferating in the Bay Area with common allegations of habitability violations, illegal rent increases, wrongful eviction, retaliatory actions of landlords, harassment claims, housing discrimination, and a host of other alleged violations. Bornstein Law can defend against them. Reasonable Accommodations Fair housing laws require housing providers to provide reasonable accommodations to tenants with disabilities so that there is an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a rental unit. This must be balanced against undue hardships to the landlord in providing these accommodations, so the operative term is “reasonable.” Bornstein Law can assist in tenant requests for emotional support animals, use of cannabis, handicapped accessibility, hoarding behavior, and other accommodations. Commercial Real Estate Bornstein Law provides informed advice for commercial property owners on a wide range of issues that include the drafting of lease documents, enforcement or the defense of the rights of parties in commercial lease disputes, and the eviction of tenants. We are also well-versed in handling conflicts that arise over parking issues, common area maintenance fees, and the like. Keep in mind that certain small businesses and nonprofits now enjoy several tenant protections traditionally reserved for residential tenancies. Our mission is to help housing providers, property managers, and real estate professionals think smartly and strategically about investment properties from an economic standpoint, cauterize risk in an ever-complicated regulatory regime, and provide informed advice when landlord-tenant disputes arise. Seeing past the horizon of the dispute, our goal is never to elongate the matter but to resolve conflicts as quickly and inexpensively as possible, taking into account time, risk, and attorneys' fees. Landlording in California can be difficult, but with proper counsel, you can power through your real estate challenges.                 507 Polk St, Suite 410, San Francisco, CA 94102 410 7th St, Suite 203, Oakland, CA 94607 415-409-7611 [email protected]     THE FIRM Meet the Team Our core values Practice areas Request a consultation In the media Case studies Testimonials     LEARN Articles Videos Downloads Newsletter archive All resources     Schedule a 30-minute consultation for informed advice. Get in touch   Be sociable. A SiteOrigin Theme Home Consultation Meet the team Resources In the media Practice Areas ◈ Interior Pages — 18 pages crawledArchive of newsletters - Bornstein Law Skip to content Home Consultation Meet the team Resources In the media Practice Areas Menu Search for: Astute landlords, property managers, and real estate professionals are always in the know. We religiously send out email broadcasts with the latest happenings and insights germane to the rental housing community. To get timely updates delivered to your inbox, we invite you to subscribe.   December 13, 2025 California’s habitability standards have always been strict, but 2026 marks a turning point by expanding the list of characteristics required for a dwelling to be habitable. With San Francisco’s RV ban going into effect, the city is looking to partner with landlords to transition large vehicle dwellers into more stable housing. A new state law will govern security deposit accounting in the new year, and we offer some strategies amid rising rents throughout the Bay Area.   November 27, 2025 Redwood City and San Mateo join a growing number of jurisdictions that limit the upside potential of properties after owners invest in substantial renovation. With the holidays upon us, landlords and property managers need to be vigilant about the theft of packages. Daniel imparts his Thanksgiving message.   November 17, 2025 A 2-alarm fire in a San Francisco building underscores the importance of proactively addressing hoarding conditions in rental units. Housing providers in qualified buildings are urged to meet the deadline for California’s Balcony Inspection law. Dappening news in Oakland as owners will be limited in banked rank increases. We review new requirements for landlords to provide a working stove and refrigerator to meet tentability requirements.   November 5, 2025 In our latest guide, we share how to squatter-proof your property and evict unwanted occupants who are camping out without the owner’s permission. Never letting the grass grow from underneath our feet, we look ahead to new laws that will go into effect in 2026 October 29, 2025 San Francisco landlords will now have to sign a waiver and release of liability so that the Sheriff’s Office can carry out evictions and forcibly enter the premises when there are no working keys. A new law requires a working refrigerator and stove to be furnished in most rental units. We preview new laws germane to housing providers that 2026 will usher in.   October 9, 2025 What the government shutdown means for housing providers, and we anticipate challenges for the landlording community in 2026.   September 25, 2025 How to defend against habitability lawsuits. Our take on rising rents in San Francisco. The Trump administration’s crackdown on immigration stands to exacerbate workface-related delays in new housing construction.   September 18, 2025 Given the potential for landlords to lose an eviction action because of procedural errors in the eviction process, we urge the use of process servers. Landlords must allow tenants to opt out of mandated Internet, cellular, or bulk billing plans, presenting challenges to owners and property managers in larger buildings.   September 12, 2025 There are already several potential consequences for housing providers who engage in improper rent increases, but the stakes have been ratcheted up under new case law that gives tenants’ attorneys the license to argue that an illegal rent increase is tantamount to receiving stolen property. We share a case study of prevailing in an eviction action when our client was barraged with a litany of baseless claims. Landlords should be aware that rental scams are proliferating.   September 3, 2025 An embattled San Francisco Housing Authority serves as an example for other housing providers as the agency attempts to demolish buildings to make way for new construction, as existing tenants refuse to leave. In its infancy, San Francisco’s Concrete Building Screening program brings the city a step closer to finding out how many buildings are prone to cracking or collapsing if they are seismically unsound. Some of our thoughts on hybrid shared living spaces to accommodate San Francisco’s dearth of housing.   August 22, 2025 San Francisco rents are heating up. We revisit a state law that compels landlords to accommodate disabled tenants. It may be possible to pass through rising insurance costs to San Francisco tenants through an O&E Expense Petition. Lawmakers declare war on pricing algorithms to suggest rents. August 22, 2025 San Francisco rents are heating up. We revisit a state law that compels landlords to accommodate disabled tenants. It may be possible to pass through rising insurance costs to San Francisco tenants through an O&E Expense Petition. Lawmakers declare war on pricing algorithms to suggest rents.   August 12, 2025 If housing providers are exempt from statewide rent control, they are required to notify tenants; otherwise, they will be hindered in raising rents.   August 4, 2025 Unfortunately, many rental applicants and tenants attempt to scam landlords, and we share some telltale signs to help you spot them. We go over essential lease terms and advise landlords to take a hard look at their rental agreements to ensure they are modernized. How landlords can handle hoarding conditions in their rental units, and we share a sad story about an immigrant who built a nice portfolio of apartments, only to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars because of maddening regulations.   July 22, 2025 With space such a scarce commodity in the Bay Area, we discuss the legal issues surrounding parking. After an appellate court ruling, landlords must provide greater transparency in their 3-day notices.   July 12, 2025 The courts weigh in on 3-day notices, admonishing landlords that ordinary tenants need to reasonably understand the deadline to pay rent and avoid an eviction. Oakland is being Oakland again, with an ever-expanding regulatory regime that rivals its sister cities. Housing providers should be wary of third-party laundry services and read the fine print.   July 1, 2025 We review what laws have died on the vine in the state Capitol and which measures are moving forward. New photo requirements go into effect to make security deposit accounting more transparent. Oakland City Council considers allowing owners to pass through rising garbage removal costs. Berkeley axes single-family zoning and paves the way for denser housing citywide. June 24, 2025 How to get around the “tenant welfare” of rent control. Giving a flicker of hope to landlords owed COVA-era rent debt, a federal appeals court rules that the U.S. government must face legal claims from housing providers seeking compensation. Time is ticking for Oakland landlords to raise rents. Passing through insurance costs to tenants in San Francisco, and the stench of rising garbage removal costs. June 10, 2025 We look ahead to new laws that may be ushered in in 2026. Up-to-date notices when serving 3-day notices in San Francisco. An early report card on San Francisco’s new mayor, Daniel Lurie. Laws surrounding daycares in rental units. June 2, 2025 Back to basics as we review the 3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit. A recap of our talk to real estate professionals in San Francisco. A double standard when it comes to landlords harassing tenants and tenants making life miserable for landlords. While we have warned of rental scams, we have become victims ourselves with an ad circulating on social media claiming we have pre-selected excellent tenants. May 22, 2025 Common traps housing providers encounter in the tenant screening process. We share a templated form to comply with a new California law that requires housing providers to disclose their tenant screening criteria. New numbers are off the press in terms of allowable annual rent increases if a property is only subject to statewide (not local) rent control. May 13, 2025 We had the privilege of giving a talk to affordable hou Landlord Attorneys | SF, Oakland and throughout the Bay Area Skip to content Home Consultation Meet the team Resources In the media Practice Areas Menu Search for: The allies of landlords, property managers, and real estate professionals. Now is not the time to hire a general law practitioner or a cousin who happens to be an attorney. The law has become very specialized and nuanced. When seeking proper counsel, a fair question to ask is, “Do you practice landlord-tenant law on a daily basis?” Managing rental relationships is all we do, and we do it well.   Request a consultation The law changes. Our core values do not. Business-Minded Counsel We are real estate investors ourselves and understand the economics behind a landlord-tenant dispute. Our goal is to help clients make smart business decisions, weighing legal strategy against cost, risk, and long-term financial impact.   Focused Expertise We focus exclusively on landlord-tenant law. By dedicating our practice to this area alone, we provide deeper expertise and sharper guidance, while respecting the expertise of other attorneys and referring clients to the right specialists when matters fall outside our field. Client Loyalty We recognize that life happens and many tenants face real challenges, and it is easy to empathize with their situations. But removed from the emotional fray, our role is clear: we fiercely advocate for our landlord clients and put their interests first in every matter we handle. Prompt Action Landlord-tenant problems rarely improve with time. We address issues quickly and directly, helping our clients resolve problems now rather than kicking the can down the road and allowing small issues to fester and become costly disputes. Pragmatic Negotiation Our goal is to solve problems, not prolong them. We work to negotiate practical resolutions for our clients, and when it makes economic sense, we are willing to make concessions to avoid costly, time-consuming disputes. Resolution Over Conflict We don’t get jazzed about disputes the way some attorneys do. Our focus is on resolving problems as quickly and cost-effectively as possible, always weighing time, risk, and attorneys’ fees when advising our clients. Get acquainted. Meet the firm built for housing providers →   Our valued clients, referral partners, and colleagues say it best. For over three decades, Bornstein Law has helped rental property owners and their agents power through their challenges, and we've met many friends along the way. We've had the privilege of representing clients of all sizes and sophistication, but there is a special place in our hearts for vulnerable, "mom and pop" landlords who are most prone to make procedural errors in a complicated regulatory regime. Hear from raving fans »   We raise the voice of rental housing providers. Although the political rhetoric nowadays falls squarely on the side of tenants, Bornstein Law offers a fresh perspective through the lens of underrepresented property owners. Numerous media outlets have called upon us to articulate the unique challenges of landlords. IN THE MEDIA Center for New Laws The law has the shelf life of a banana peel. Every year, there are new laws for housing providers to follow, and 2026 is no exception. Learn the new regulatory regime that 2026 has ushered in, ensure your documentation is up to date, and avoid pitfalls that could lead to a six-figure lawsuit. Get a working knowledge of new laws →   Articles for astute property owners and real estate practitioners We are unaware of any other law firm so prolific in disseminating articles on topics germane to landlords and the professionals who serve them.   Peruse our Library   Miss a beat? View the archive of our regular email broadcasts and subscribe to stay in the know. Peruse our latest email updates and join our growing community of subscribers. In California’s highly regulated, tenant-protective environment, housing providers and real estate professionals are well-advised to stay informed about the legal developments that affect their business. View archives of email broadcasts → Get the latest legal happenings and insights delivered to your inbox →   AT A GLANCE Practice Areas   At-Fault Evictions In the lifespan of a tenancy, residents have ample opportunity to violate the lease or engage in behavior that justifies eviction under state and local laws. Aside from nonpayment of rent, there are a myriad of other transgressions that could constitute a breach of the lease, such as nuisance or criminal activity, subletting the premises without permission, unauthorized alteration, denying lawful entry, and other reasons why a problematic tenant can be transitioned out. Tenant Buyout Agreements When there are no legal or convenient means to evict, landlords and tenants can engage in a meeting of the minds to negotiate a tenant surrender of possession agreement whereby the tenant vacates voluntarily in exchange for compensation. More than “cash for keys,” a properly prepared agreement releases all claims from the tenancy while giving landlords the upside potential of raising rents to market rate. In certain locales like San Francisco, Oakland, Richmond, and Berkeley, it is more than a gentlemanly handshake – these agreements are highly regulated. Rent Increases With the rising costs of operating a rental housing business, it is no wonder why landlords want to raise rents, but they are often constrained by how much the rent can be raised and the frequency of rent increases. While statewide rent control is more generous in terms of how much rents can be raised, several jurisdictions in the Bay Area have placed more constrictive limitations on rent hikes that must be followed to the letter. At any rate, proper notice must be served. Licensee Evictions Not every occupant is entitled to tenant protections. Rather, they are licensees who have permission to be on the premises and the property owner can revoke that right at any time. This is commonplace where an adult child still resides in the household because they are struggling in life. It is also prevalent when heirs and caregivers overstay their welcome after the property owner passes away. When there is no lease or rent exchanging hands and there is no tenancy, these licensees can be removed through a forcible detainer action. Reviewing and Drafting of Leases A rental agreement should be a living, breathing creature, but a recurring theme in our practice is landlords and property managers using stale, outdated lease agreements that do not account for evolving changes in the law. Housing providers must use lease agreements that ensure clarity and protections for both parties, address new living arrangements, incorporate new property rules and policies, and shield the owner from liability. If there are any donut holes in the current lease, the terms of the tenancy can be changed with proper notice. Preparation and Service of Notices Procedural errors in the drafting of notices are a surefire way to delay or lose a case, and tenants’ attorneys are adept at spotting them. No matter how strong a case the landlord has against a tenant, a lawsuit can be tossed out if procedural requirements are not followed to the letter. Bornstein Law gets this right the first time. However flawless a notice is, it must be properly served on the tenant and we have this covered, as well. No-Fault Evictions In certain circumstances, tenants can be transitioned out of the rental unit through no wrongdoing or fault of their own. Rental property owners can endeavor to recover possession of the unit to move themselves or a close relative into the unit, withdraw the unit from the rental market, substantially repair or renovate the unit, or comply with a government order. Yet no-fault evictions come with a host of procedural requirements and the obligation to dole out relocation payments. Rent Board Petitions In several jurisd Downloads - Bornstein Law Skip to content Home Consultation Meet the team Resources In the media Practice Areas Menu Search for: RESOURCES // DOWNLOADS Breaking down the law in an easily digestible fashion.   We’ve made it a lifelong mission to educate the rental housing community and sometimes this comes in the form of cheat sheets, PowerPoint slides, and other documents aimed to keep our valued clients, colleagues, and referral partners in the know. Here are some top of mind.     Chart depicting the carefully choreographed steps of California's eviction process   A guide to distinguish tenant neglect and damage from normal wear and tear   Flowchart on security deposit limits in light of new law   Timeline for San Francisco Owner move-in eviction requirements   Determining the status of protected tenants in San Francisco   Slides for presentation given to affordable housing providers   Under a new California Law (AB 2493), housing providers must disclose their tenant screening criteria to rental applicants in writing when an application is requested. This ensures transparency and allows potential tenants to self-assess their eligibility before paying a screening fee. Clearly spelling out the qualifications for a successful rental applicant can also prevent a costly housing discrimination lawsuit. We've put together a templated form you can modify. Unlocking the door: Gaining access to your rental unit Guide to Tenant Buyout Agreements in the Bay Area Share this: Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X A SiteOrigin Theme Home Consultation Meet the team Resources In the media Practice Areas Resources For SF Bay Area Landlords And Real Estate Professionals Skip to content Home Consultation Meet the team Resources In the media Practice Areas Menu Search for: Savvy landlords and real estate professionals keep abreast of the laws germane to their business and learn how to think smartly and strategically about their business. To get updates delivered to your inbox, subscribe to our weekly feed .   Have landlords been sleeping behind the wheel by not informing tenants that they are exempt from statewide rent control? Parking wars raging throughout the Bay Area Porch pirates have become a growing and vexing concern for housing providers Tenant unions are sprouting up in the Bay Area - we will need to interact with them in good faith Common traps housing providers can encounter in the tenant screening process Tenant buyout agreements become more attractive as the eviction process is drawn out, with seemingly no end in sight Mold is gold for tenants' attorneys, testers, and mold remediation companies When tenants use their rental units as daycare centers Airing out the dirty laundry with third-party services: Housing providers are advised to carefully review the terms and conditions when using vendors that provide washer and dryer machines in a building View more       Get dialed into the latest changes in the law that 2026 will usher in. In our latest video, Daniel Bornstein surveys a handful of new laws that are germane to landlords, property managers, and real estate practitioners. We want you to be prepared and get all of the necessary documentation in place to comply with a new regulatory regime. → Watch on YouTube Legal Literacy for Landlords Aired Feb 27, 2025 Legal Updates and Best Practices in Property Management Aired August 9, 2024 Handling Crime Violence, and domestic Violence in Rental Units Aired May 4, 2022 Section 8 Discrimination Lawsuits are Proliferating Aired 6, 2021 Daniel Bornstein on Probate Weekly with Bill Gross Aired February 15, 2024 2025 Legal Landscape for Rental Housing Providers Aired November 15, 2024   The carefully choreographed steps of California's eviction process Security deposit deduction guide: Distinguishing tenant damage from normal wear and tear Flowchart on security deposit limits in light of new law   California's 2026 Rental Reboot: What's Changing for Landlords → Guide to Tenant Buyout Agreements → San Francisco Protected Tenant Reference Sheet → San Francisco Owner Move-In Eviction Reference Sheet → Rental Leasing Requirements for Prospective Tenants → Considerations When Contemplating Demolishment or Substantial Rehabilitation of a Tenant-Occupied Building → Guide to San Francisco's Rent Registry → Unlocking the Door: Gaining Access to Your Rental Unit → Slides For Presentation Given to Affordable Housing Providers → New Guidance for SF Evictions When There are No Working Keys → Change in Ownership Form → The Walk-Through Process in Security Deposit Accounting →   Miss a beat? Read our weekly broadcasts. Email updates that inform the rental housing community about ever-changing laws and help them think smartly and strategically about their business. View our archives.»   Although Bornstein Law is dedicated to educating the rental housing community on an ever-changing legal landscape, we do not work on an island. There is strength in numbers. Join an industry trade group to get acquainted with new laws, access the freshest notices, and ensure that our collective voices are heard by politicians. Our partners     507 Polk St, Suite 410, San Francisco, CA 94102 410 7th St, Suite 203, Oakland, CA 94607 415-409-7611 [email protected]   THE FIRM Meet the Team Our core values Practice areas Request a consultation In the media Case studies Testimonials   LEARN Articles Videos Downloads Newsletter archive All resources   Schedule a 30-minute consultation for informed advice. Get in touch   Be sociable. A SiteOrigin Theme Home Consultation Meet the team Resources In the media Practice Areas Featured articles - Bornstein Law Skip to content Home Consultation Meet the team Resources In the media Practice Areas Menu Search for: Topics that matter. Insights with impact.   New Year’s Resolutions for Housing Providers to abide by in 2026 New laws are foisted upon the rental housing community whenever we usher in a new year, and 2026 will be no exception. In an annual tradition, we suggest resolutions for landlords and property managers to survive and thrive in a new regulatory regime. What made it to the top of our list →   From Empty Kitchen to Full Compliance: California’s New Appliance Requirement for Landlords   Housing Providers Face Rising Habitability Risks in 2026   Housing providers need to strike a balance between landlords’ rights to secure their properties and tenants’ rights to privacy Surveillance is back in focus after tenants sue a large landlord and technology company after allegedly outfitting rental units with smart-home devices that transformed tenants' homes into "environments of surveillance."   Evicting tenants based on a substantial remodel is becoming increasingly pointless Redwood City and San Mateo have recently joined the growing number of jurisdictions adopting right-to-return policies—measures aimed at preventing owners from using renovation plans as a vehicle to raise rents or enhance resale value by emptying units. Picture Perfect? Not Anymore: California’s New Rules on Listing Photos Realtors, landlords, and property managers alike should be aware of a new law aimed at regulating how digitally altered images are used in real estate listings and advertising to ensure that prospective buyers and tenants are not misled by enhanced or manipulated visuals. Screen Smart, Rent Safer: Best Practices for Tenant Screening in 22026 It’s become increasingly challenging for housing providers to attract desirable tenants while balancing risk management, legal compliance, and fair housing protections. These practices are especially important in the new year as California continues tightening rules around fees, disclosures, and discrimination.   New laws that 2026 will usher in for rental housing providers October 13 was the deadline for Governor Newsom to approve or veto hundreds of bills that came across his desk. With the passing of that date, we have a clearer picture of new rules for housing providers.   San Francisco Sheriff’s Office has issued new guidance on how it will carry out court-ordered evictions When the owner does not have keys that work, law enforcement will forcibly enter the unit, but only if the landlord holds them harmless for property damage.   Looking in the rear-view mirror and anticipating challenges for landlords in 2026 Never letting the grass grow from underneath our feet, we look ahead to what hurdles housing providers will need to power through. Tragic San Francisco fire underscores the importance of addressing hoarding conditions in rental units The foremost responsibility of housing providers is to protect tenants and neighboring residents from injury. Whenever hoarding conditions are detected, it is essential to address the problem promptly so that it does not escalate and create additional safety concerns. If there is a foreseeable threat and the landlord or property manager chooses to take no action, significant liability can result. From trespass to eviction: What owners need to know about squatting Let's talk about squatter-proofing your property and solutions to remove occupants who are illegally camping out.   When serving notices, don’t go it alone. A process server can save enormous time, expense, and aggravation while avoiding costly delays in the already prolonged eviction process Even if landlords or property managers draft a flawless 3-day notice – a big if – it needs to be served correctly. An improper notice or incorrect service will tank an eviction action, especially when the tenant retains legal counsel with a keen eye for errors. Although there is an added expense, we advise clients not to be penny-wise and pound-foolish.   Does an illegal rent increase amount to receiving stolen property? An appellate court rules that a jury can weigh the evidence Illegal rent increases are already frowned upon and can carry significant penalties when tenants are overcharged. Yet a recent case law has likely ratcheted up the consequences when housing providers improperly raise rents. Rest assured, tenants and their legal counsel will test the opinions of courts by arguing that the illegal rent increase should trigger a Penal Code provision that allows for treble damages.   Effective January 1, 2026, landlords must allow tenants to opt out of landlord-mandated internet, cellular, or bulk billing plans Tenants cannot be forced to pay for a service or speed they don’t need, or pay a provider that they don’t choose.     Habitability claims are the new type of personal injury lawsuit Suing housing providers has proven to be a lucrative law practice for opportunistic attorneys intent on “shaking down” deep-pocketed landlords for baseless claims of inhabitable living conditions, and don’t expect insurance companies to bail out the landlord. With evictions reportedly at a 10-year high in San Francisco, the sky is not falling There are a multiplicity of factors in explaining the rise in eviction actions. To make sense of this trajectory, it’s instructive to go back in time and fast forward to today. Build, baby, build. But will new projects be put on ‘ice’? Already plagued by labor shortages, the construction industry is expected to lose undocumented workers because of targeted immigration enforcement. This stands to exacerbate workforce-related project delays.   Legal issues concerning pods and other hybrid living configurations While bunk-style pods and other inventive living arrangements can provide sorely needed housing stock, landlords should consider this carefully, given the potential liability.   The challenges faced by the San Francisco Housing Authority serve as an example for other housing providers The embattled agency has had no shortage of problems over the course of decades. Its latest struggle is evicting a group of occupants who refuse to leave substandard buildings to make way for newer, denser residential complexes.   San Francisco’s Concrete Building Screening Program brings the city a step closer to finding out how many buildings are structurally unsound Building upon its existing soft-story retrofit program, the city is taking inventory of concrete buildings. Meanwhile, housing providers may be eligible for seismic retrofit grants through the Brace + Bolt Retrofit program.   Too little, too late as San Francisco attempts to clean up the mess caused by corruption perpetrated by a disgraced engineer and permit expediter? The city announced an amnesty program that will waive fees and fines for unsuspecting property owners who were victims of substandard work. Let's go over this token act and what defrauded owners can expect.   Effective July 1, 2025, the enforcement powers of homeowner associations are scaled back HOAs have long used fines to correct or discourage actions that violate the association’s Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions. Barring any threats to public health and safety, a new law has capped fines at $100 and has effectively ended the practice of “fine stacking,” where small fines snowball into huge debts over time. Landlords may have the legal right to do something, but does that make it smart, prudent, or ethical? When a property owner held an open house and told prospective applicants need not apply unless they are supporters of Trump and Israel, a tenant attorney says that the Zillow advertisement is legally permissible because political orientation is not a protected class under fair housing laws. Maybe so, but let’s consider the optics. A reminder for real estate p Case Studies - Bornstein Law Skip to content Home Consultation Meet the team Resources In the media Practice Areas Menu Search for: Bornstein Law Victory: Jury Trial - Alameda County Superior Court Another win in our column after our client prevailed in a jury trial. An unauthorized subletter harassed and forced the master tenant out of the rental unit. When the landlord discovered these events, a process server was dispatched to the residence and she was then falsely imprisoned by the occupant. A harrowing case but one that ended in a successful outcome.   Bornstein Law secures a judgment in a forcible detainer action When there is no tenancy established, occupants who are given a temporary place to stay must leave when the owner asks them to.   The leaning tower of San Francisco It's been widely reported that the sinking Millennium Tower has been mired with structural issues, but does that mean that tenants in the embattled building can stop paying rent? We successfully argue no - the rent must be paid   Nuisance eviction during the height of the pandemic A tenant vindictively ran water all day and night to drive up the landlord's utility bills. We sent a clear signal that COVID-related tenant protections do not give residents the license to cause mischief and this argument held water.   We take on the Oakland Rent Board, argue that a rent increase is permissible during this condo conversion and courts agree Under Costa-Hawkins, condos are generally exempt from local rent control rules, but there was a game of semantics. After tenants balked at a rent increase, the courts sided with our interpretation of the law and agreed that rents could be raised.   Through a forcible detainer action, property owners can remove occupants who overstay their welcome It's not uncommon for owners to give family members or friends a soft place to land, but what happens when a guest refuses to leave? Although it may be gut-wrenching, there is legal action that can be taken to transition the "licensee" out of the premises.     A SiteOrigin Theme Home Consultation Meet the team Resources In the media Practice Areas Mission purpose core values - Bornstein Law Skip to content Home Consultation Meet the team Resources In the media Practice Areas Menu Search for:   Laws are always changing. All the time. Our moral compass and core values do not. Rental housing providers have undergone a whirlwind of change, especially through the ever-evolving landlording rules during COVID-19, but what guides Bornstein Law is a set of philosophies that have remained constant in the 26+ years of our professional careers. Our governing beliefs Litigation is not like a Warriors game or a Giants game when one side wins and one side loses. It's not helpful to think of litigation as a sporting event. Even if the landlord wins, the question we ask is at what cost? Our goal at Bornstein Law is to resolve disputes as cheaply and as expeditiously as possible, taking into account time, risk, and attorneys' fees. Many times, it is easier to compromise and strike a deal with a tenant than to pursue litigation. Although we are not doctors, we do take the Hippocratic oath to do no harm. Litigation is often necessary but should be used as a last resort. Our goal never is to elongate disputes. Small landlords are most at risk of making a misstep in a complicated regulatory regime. We have worked with the largest and most sophisticated landlords and property management companies, but there is a special place in our hearts for responsible, small mom and pop landlords who are the largest engine of safe, clean, and affordable rental housing. They are also the most vulnerable to colossal expense and liability when there is noncompliance with the law. At Bornstein Law, we are proud to help small landlords navigate the many minefields that await them when there are any rules that are overlooked or a rental relationship fails. Problems should not be allowed to fester. They should be addressed at the outset. From our hard-won experience, many landlords are conflict avoiders that prefer to kick the can down the road. Through many years of managing landlord-tenant relationships, it has become clear that the stress of thinking about having a difficult conversation is more stressful than having the actual conversation itself. We urge landlords not to engage in wishful thinking and cling to the hope that problems will resolve themselves on their own. Once there is friction in the relationship, any issues should be addressed head-on. In non-payment of rent cases, we highly recommend making it a uniform policy to serve a 3-day notice and make this clear at the outset of the relationship, informing the tenant that this blanket policy is done out of fairness for all residents. When there are nuisances and other issues that arise, our strong preference is to broach a conversation early on, have a fluid dialogue, and have some written documentation. Landlords have been shouldered with an inordinate amount of responsibility and blame, but Bornstein Law has provided a counter narrative. Housing has become a topic with a lot of political blowbacks in the Bay Area even before the pandemic. The rhetoric has always fallen squarely on the side of tenants' advocates. Enter eviction moratoriums and government edicts. Since housing has been deemed a necessity, landlords have been asked to provide a free service. Contrast that with another necessity of groceries - we can't walk into a supermarket, fill up the shopping cart with eggs, bread, meat, and milk, then tell the clerk or the manager that we will pay them at some point far-flung in the future when our economic situation improves. Alongside our industry partners, Bornstein Law advocates for the rights of property owners and provides a unique perspective that is often drowned out by coverage of tenant injustices. We have always operated on the presumption that there are good landlords, bad landlords. Good tenants, bad tenants. No side should be painted with a broad brush.   Education is key. Understanding the myriad of state laws and a patchwork of local rules is difficult for experienced attorneys and even judges, let alone landlords, property managers, and real estate practitioners. That's why Bornstein Law has made it a commitment, through multiple venues, to break down the regulatory framework in an easily digestible fashion. Share this: Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X A SiteOrigin Theme Home Consultation Meet the team Resources In the media Practice Areas Featured articles - Bornstein Law Skip to content Home Consultation Meet the team Resources In the media Practice Areas Menu Search for: Topics that matter. Insights with impact.   New Year’s Resolutions for Housing Providers to abide by in 2026 New laws are foisted upon the rental housing community whenever we usher in a new year, and 2026 will be no exception. In an annual tradition, we suggest resolutions for landlords and property managers to survive and thrive in a new regulatory regime. What made it to the top of our list →   From Empty Kitchen to Full Compliance: California’s New Appliance Requirement for Landlords   Housing Providers Face Rising Habitability Risks in 2026   Housing providers need to strike a balance between landlords’ rights to secure their properties and tenants’ rights to privacy Surveillance is back in focus after tenants sue a large landlord and technology company after allegedly outfitting rental units with smart-home devices that transformed tenants' homes into "environments of surveillance."   Evicting tenants based on a substantial remodel is becoming increasingly pointless Redwood City and San Mateo have recently joined the growing number of jurisdictions adopting right-to-return policies—measures aimed at preventing owners from using renovation plans as a vehicle to raise rents or enhance resale value by emptying units. Picture Perfect? Not Anymore: California’s New Rules on Listing Photos Realtors, landlords, and property managers alike should be aware of a new law aimed at regulating how digitally altered images are used in real estate listings and advertising to ensure that prospective buyers and tenants are not misled by enhanced or manipulated visuals. Screen Smart, Rent Safer: Best Practices for Tenant Screening in 22026 It’s become increasingly challenging for housing providers to attract desirable tenants while balancing risk management, legal compliance, and fair housing protections. These practices are especially important in the new year as California continues tightening rules around fees, disclosures, and discrimination.   New laws that 2026 will usher in for rental housing providers October 13 was the deadline for Governor Newsom to approve or veto hundreds of bills that came across his desk. With the passing of that date, we have a clearer picture of new rules for housing providers.   San Francisco Sheriff’s Office has issued new guidance on how it will carry out court-ordered evictions When the owner does not have keys that work, law enforcement will forcibly enter the unit, but only if the landlord holds them harmless for property damage.   Looking in the rear-view mirror and anticipating challenges for landlords in 2026 Never letting the grass grow from underneath our feet, we look ahead to what hurdles housing providers will need to power through. Tragic San Francisco fire underscores the importance of addressing hoarding conditions in rental units The foremost responsibility of housing providers is to protect tenants and neighboring residents from injury. Whenever hoarding conditions are detected, it is essential to address the problem promptly so that it does not escalate and create additional safety concerns. If there is a foreseeable threat and the landlord or property manager chooses to take no action, significant liability can result. From trespass to eviction: What owners need to know about squatting Let's talk about squatter-proofing your property and solutions to remove occupants who are illegally camping out.   When serving notices, don’t go it alone. A process server can save enormous time, expense, and aggravation while avoiding costly delays in the already prolonged eviction process Even if landlords or property managers draft a flawless 3-day notice – a big if – it needs to be served correctly. An improper notice or incorrect service will tank an eviction action, especially when the tenant retains legal counsel with a keen eye for errors. Although there is an added expense, we advise clients not to be penny-wise and pound-foolish.   Does an illegal rent increase amount to receiving stolen property? An appellate court rules that a jury can weigh the evidence Illegal rent increases are already frowned upon and can carry significant penalties when tenants are overcharged. Yet a recent case law has likely ratcheted up the consequences when housing providers improperly raise rents. Rest assured, tenants and their legal counsel will test the opinions of courts by arguing that the illegal rent increase should trigger a Penal Code provision that allows for treble damages.   Effective January 1, 2026, landlords must allow tenants to opt out of landlord-mandated internet, cellular, or bulk billing plans Tenants cannot be forced to pay for a service or speed they don’t need, or pay a provider that they don’t choose.     Habitability claims are the new type of personal injury lawsuit Suing housing providers has proven to be a lucrative law practice for opportunistic attorneys intent on “shaking down” deep-pocketed landlords for baseless claims of inhabitable living conditions, and don’t expect insurance companies to bail out the landlord. With evictions reportedly at a 10-year high in San Francisco, the sky is not falling There are a multiplicity of factors in explaining the rise in eviction actions. To make sense of this trajectory, it’s instructive to go back in time and fast forward to today. Build, baby, build. But will new projects be put on ‘ice’? Already plagued by labor shortages, the construction industry is expected to lose undocumented workers because of targeted immigration enforcement. This stands to exacerbate workforce-related project delays.   Legal issues concerning pods and other hybrid living configurations While bunk-style pods and other inventive living arrangements can provide sorely needed housing stock, landlords should consider this carefully, given the potential liability.   The challenges faced by the San Francisco Housing Authority serve as an example for other housing providers The embattled agency has had no shortage of problems over the course of decades. Its latest struggle is evicting a group of occupants who refuse to leave substandard buildings to make way for newer, denser residential complexes.   San Francisco’s Concrete Building Screening Program brings the city a step closer to finding out how many buildings are structurally unsound Building upon its existing soft-story retrofit program, the city is taking inventory of concrete buildings. Meanwhile, housing providers may be eligible for seismic retrofit grants through the Brace + Bolt Retrofit program.   Too little, too late as San Francisco attempts to clean up the mess caused by corruption perpetrated by a disgraced engineer and permit expediter? The city announced an amnesty program that will waive fees and fines for unsuspecting property owners who were victims of substandard work. Let's go over this token act and what defrauded owners can expect.   Effective July 1, 2025, the enforcement powers of homeowner associations are scaled back HOAs have long used fines to correct or discourage actions that violate the association’s Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions. Barring any threats to public health and safety, a new law has capped fines at $100 and has effectively ended the practice of “fine stacking,” where small fines snowball into huge debts over time. Landlords may have the legal right to do something, but does that make it smart, prudent, or ethical? When a property owner held an open house and told prospective applicants need not apply unless they are supporters of Trump and Israel, a tenant attorney says that the Zillow advertisement is legally permissible because political orientation is not a protected class under fair housing laws. Maybe so, but let’s consider the optics. A reminder for real estate p Subscribe - Bornstein Law Skip to content Home Consultation Meet the team Resources In the media Practice Areas Menu Search for: Share this: Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X A SiteOrigin Theme Home Consultation Meet the team Resources In the media Practice Areas Consultation - Bornstein Law Skip to content Home Consultation Meet the team Resources In the media Practice Areas Menu Search for: Let's have a heart-to-heart conversation about how we can help. In the course of a 30-minute consultation, we can recommend how to proceed in any landlord-tenant disputes or address any other real estate concerns. Enter your email address and phone number and we'll send you an intake form that will glean more details to have an informed dialogue. A SiteOrigin Theme Home Consultation Meet the team Resources In the media Practice Areas Videos - Bornstein Law Skip to content Home Consultation Meet the team Resources In the media Practice Areas Menu Search for: Heart-to-heart videos that educate rental housing providers and help them make informed decisions Although Daniel Bornstein is renowned for his in-person educational events at Fort Mason and other venues, we have become acclimated to the new normal of online meetups.           2023 Expo - Legislative Panel Highlights from EBRHA on Vimeo .                           MORE RESOURCES Downloadable PDFs to understand complex legal processes in an easily digestible fashion. Informative white papers, podcasts, and more. Whatever it takes to educate the rental housing community on how to survive and thrive in a complicated regulatory regime. View more ›   SUBSCRIBE Stay in the know by having the latest legal developments and insights delivered to your inbox. Get dialed in ›   Share this: Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X A SiteOrigin Theme Home Consultation Meet the team Resources In the media Practice Areas Featured articles - Bornstein Law Skip to content Home Consultation Meet the team Resources In the media Practice Areas Menu Search for: Topics that matter. Insights with impact.   New Year’s Resolutions for Housing Providers to abide by in 2026 New laws are foisted upon the rental housing community whenever we usher in a new year, and 2026 will be no exception. In an annual tradition, we suggest resolutions for landlords and property managers to survive and thrive in a new regulatory regime. What made it to the top of our list →   From Empty Kitchen to Full Compliance: California’s New Appliance Requirement for Landlords   Housing Providers Face Rising Habitability Risks in 2026   Housing providers need to strike a balance between landlords’ rights to secure their properties and tenants’ rights to privacy Surveillance is back in focus after tenants sue a large landlord and technology company after allegedly outfitting rental units with smart-home devices that transformed tenants' homes into "environments of surveillance."   Evicting tenants based on a substantial remodel is becoming increasingly pointless Redwood City and San Mateo have recently joined the growing number of jurisdictions adopting right-to-return policies—measures aimed at preventing owners from using renovation plans as a vehicle to raise rents or enhance resale value by emptying units. Picture Perfect? Not Anymore: California’s New Rules on Listing Photos Realtors, landlords, and property managers alike should be aware of a new law aimed at regulating how digitally altered images are used in real estate listings and advertising to ensure that prospective buyers and tenants are not misled by enhanced or manipulated visuals. Screen Smart, Rent Safer: Best Practices for Tenant Screening in 22026 It’s become increasingly challenging for housing providers to attract desirable tenants while balancing risk management, legal compliance, and fair housing protections. These practices are especially important in the new year as California continues tightening rules around fees, disclosures, and discrimination.   New laws that 2026 will usher in for rental housing providers October 13 was the deadline for Governor Newsom to approve or veto hundreds of bills that came across his desk. With the passing of that date, we have a clearer picture of new rules for housing providers.   San Francisco Sheriff’s Office has issued new guidance on how it will carry out court-ordered evictions When the owner does not have keys that work, law enforcement will forcibly enter the unit, but only if the landlord holds them harmless for property damage.   Looking in the rear-view mirror and anticipating challenges for landlords in 2026 Never letting the grass grow from underneath our feet, we look ahead to what hurdles housing providers will need to power through. Tragic San Francisco fire underscores the importance of addressing hoarding conditions in rental units The foremost responsibility of housing providers is to protect tenants and neighboring residents from injury. Whenever hoarding conditions are detected, it is essential to address the problem promptly so that it does not escalate and create additional safety concerns. If there is a foreseeable threat and the landlord or property manager chooses to take no action, significant liability can result. From trespass to eviction: What owners need to know about squatting Let's talk about squatter-proofing your property and solutions to remove occupants who are illegally camping out.   When serving notices, don’t go it alone. A process server can save enormous time, expense, and aggravation while avoiding costly delays in the already prolonged eviction process Even if landlords or property managers draft a flawless 3-day notice – a big if – it needs to be served correctly. An improper notice or incorrect service will tank an eviction action, especially when the tenant retains legal counsel with a keen eye for errors. Although there is an added expense, we advise clients not to be penny-wise and pound-foolish.   Does an illegal rent increase amount to receiving stolen property? An appellate court rules that a jury can weigh the evidence Illegal rent increases are already frowned upon and can carry significant penalties when tenants are overcharged. Yet a recent case law has likely ratcheted up the consequences when housing providers improperly raise rents. Rest assured, tenants and their legal counsel will test the opinions of courts by arguing that the illegal rent increase should trigger a Penal Code provision that allows for treble damages.   Effective January 1, 2026, landlords must allow tenants to opt out of landlord-mandated internet, cellular, or bulk billing plans Tenants cannot be forced to pay for a service or speed they don’t need, or pay a provider that they don’t choose.     Habitability claims are the new type of personal injury lawsuit Suing housing providers has proven to be a lucrative law practice for opportunistic attorneys intent on “shaking down” deep-pocketed landlords for baseless claims of inhabitable living conditions, and don’t expect insurance companies to bail out the landlord. With evictions reportedly at a 10-year high in San Francisco, the sky is not falling There are a multiplicity of factors in explaining the rise in eviction actions. To make sense of this trajectory, it’s instructive to go back in time and fast forward to today. Build, baby, build. But will new projects be put on ‘ice’? Already plagued by labor shortages, the construction industry is expected to lose undocumented workers because of targeted immigration enforcement. This stands to exacerbate workforce-related project delays.   Legal issues concerning pods and other hybrid living configurations While bunk-style pods and other inventive living arrangements can provide sorely needed housing stock, landlords should consider this carefully, given the potential liability.   The challenges faced by the San Francisco Housing Authority serve as an example for other housing providers The embattled agency has had no shortage of problems over the course of decades. Its latest struggle is evicting a group of occupants who refuse to leave substandard buildings to make way for newer, denser residential complexes.   San Francisco’s Concrete Building Screening Program brings the city a step closer to finding out how many buildings are structurally unsound Building upon its existing soft-story retrofit program, the city is taking inventory of concrete buildings. Meanwhile, housing providers may be eligible for seismic retrofit grants through the Brace + Bolt Retrofit program.   Too little, too late as San Francisco attempts to clean up the mess caused by corruption perpetrated by a disgraced engineer and permit expediter? The city announced an amnesty program that will waive fees and fines for unsuspecting property owners who were victims of substandard work. Let's go over this token act and what defrauded owners can expect.   Effective July 1, 2025, the enforcement powers of homeowner associations are scaled back HOAs have long used fines to correct or discourage actions that violate the association’s Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions. Barring any threats to public health and safety, a new law has capped fines at $100 and has effectively ended the practice of “fine stacking,” where small fines snowball into huge debts over time. Landlords may have the legal right to do something, but does that make it smart, prudent, or ethical? When a property owner held an open house and told prospective applicants need not apply unless they are supporters of Trump and Israel, a tenant attorney says that the Zillow advertisement is legally permissible because political orientation is not a protected class under fair housing laws. Maybe so, but let’s consider the optics. A reminder for real estate p Center for 2026 New Laws for Landlords and Property Managers - Bornstein Law Skip to content Home Consultation Meet the team Resources In the media Practice Areas Menu Search for: Actionable updates and insights to prepare for the year ahead What’s changing in 2026? Watch our newest educational video to learn how upcoming laws will impact housing providers, property managers, and real estate professionals. On February 19, our founding attorney, Daniel Bornstein , hosted an in-depth webinar that broke down the new laws and landlording obligations ushered in by the new year.     The Compliance Reset: New Year's Resolutions for California Housing Providers Updating leases, addenda, and disclosures to reflect changes in the law » Proactively addressing habitability issues and responding to repair requests as they arise » When raising rents, doing so properly and legally to avoid residual liability » Implementing the best practices in tenant screening to attract good tenants while balancing risk management, legal compliance, and fair housing protections » Reviewing fees charged to tenants to ensure they are transparent and legal »   Must-reads for law-aware landlords and property managers to stay compliant with new laws     S creen Smart, Rent Safer: Best Practices for Tenant Screening in 22026 › Picture Perfect? Not Anymore: California’s New Rules on Listing Photos › Security Deposits Are Getting a Makeover in 2026 › Smoke Lingers Longer Than You Think: California’s New 2026 Tobacco Disclosure Rule ›   Housing Providers Face Rising Habitability Risks in 2026 › Smart Rental Pricing in a New Regulatory Regime › Looking in the Rear View Mirror and Anticipating Minefields for Housing Providers in 2026 › Daniel's end-of-year messageas we close the curtain on 2025 and prepare for a new legal landscape ›   Share this: Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X A SiteOrigin Theme Home Consultation Meet the team Resources In the media Practice Areas San Francisco Bay Area Landlord Attorneys Practice Areas - Bornstein Law Skip to content Home Consultation Meet the team Resources In the media Practice Areas Menu Search for: T ether yourself to the firm built for rental housing providers and the professionals who serve them. When an attorney says they practice real estate law, that tells you nothing. A fair question to ask is whether they handle landlord-tenant matters on a daily basis. The law has become very nuanced. Managing rental relationships and helping housing providers power through their challenges is all we do, and it’s a craft we’ve honed for over three decades. As home to the most cumbersome rent and eviction regulations anywhere, many potential minefields await rental housing providers, but with proper counsel, landlords can optimize their rental income, avoid costly mistakes by being compliant with the law, and resolve acrimony in their rental relationships.   Bornstein Law is adept at handling a broad range of landlord-tenant matters. Below are some of the most common ones that cross our desks.   Evictions for nonpayment of rent Of all enumerated “just cause” reasons to evict, the failure to pay rent is the easiest one to prove, but it’s not that simple. If there are any procedural errors or missteps in the carefully choreographed steps of the eviction process, landlords can lose their case even if it is undisputable that the tenant owes rent.   Evictions for nuisance behavior When tenants engage in acts that interfere with the quiet enjoyment of neighboring tenants, damage the property, or otherwise violate laws or lease terms in a way that disturbs others, we can gauge the seriousness of the offense and take necessary action to ensure a safe, healthy, and harmonious rental community.   Owner Move-In and Relative Move-In evictions Owners can recover possession of a tenant-occupied property so that they or a close relative can maintain the unit as their principal place of residence. Yet distrustful lawmakers fearful that OMIs/RMIs are being used as a pretext to displace tenants to re-rent the unit at a higher amount have put several safeguards in place that must be followed.   Tenant buyout agreements More than “cash for keys,” a properly prepared, ethical, and enforceable tenant surrender of possession agreement eliminates any legal residue from the tenancy. The tenant agrees to voluntarily vacate in exchange for compensation, unleashing the upside potential of the unit. This will not come without a host of requirements.   Evictions for substantial rehabilitation and remodels This may be an attractive option for housing providers who are contemplating major repairs or upgrades that necessitate the removal of the tenant while the work is being done, but there are many safeguards to protect tenants who risk displacement from a so-called “renoviction.” Our office can evaluate the nature of the project and, if deemed substantial, ensure compliance with legal requirements, including relocation payments.   Rent Board Petitions Local rent boards are tasked with responding to requests and airing out grievances between landlords and tenants, empowering both parties to file or respond to petitions. While housing providers do not need legal representation in front of these bodies, it is strongly advised to have an attorney build and articulate your case. In theory, rent boards are supposed to be impartial, but without a compelling argument, board members often side with tenants.   Defending against tenant lawsuits Lawsuits are proliferating throughout the Bay Area, aided by a phalanx of tenants’ attorneys all too willing to prosecute them. If housing providers face a lawsuit brought by a disgruntled tenant, it is imperative to seek counsel to evaluate the merits of these claims and advise on how to respond.   Reviewing and drafting lease agreements Having an ironclad, modern lease is the first and best line of defense against disputes, liability, and loss of income. Yet, a recurring theme we see in our practice is landlords using obsolete, templated leases that do not take into account changes in the law and ever-expanding notice requirements.   Commercial tenancies Although our firm is most renowned for managing rental relationships in residential tenancies, we are not a one-trick pony. From the cradle to the grave, we provide informed advice to commercial property owners on a wide range of challenges, including drafting the lease, to the enforcement of the terms, and handling a myriad of conflicts that could arise.   Mold disputes Maintaining the rental unit in a safe and habitable condition is a dual responsibility of both landlords and tenants. This includes ensuring the unit is free from dampness and excess moisture. When mold is suspected, Bornstein Law can address this problem and defend against mold-related claims that have proliferated in the Bay Area.   Evictions for package thefts With a surge in online ordering, “porch pirates” have become a modern problem. Whenever there is surveillance or eyewitness accounts of tenants of tenants stealing packages, Bornstein Law can proceed with an eviction because these bad actors have forfeited their right to live and mingle in the rental community.   Rent increases With ever-rising costs of providing housing, it’s only natural that landlords want to raise rent to maximize cash flow. Yet improper rent hikes invite liability. Avoid costly mistakes by consulting Bornstein Law before rent increases are contemplated. We can ensure the rent increase complies with relevant law.   507 Polk St, Suite 410, San Francisco, CA 94102 410 7th St, Suite 203, Oakland, CA 94607 415-409-7611 [email protected]   THE FIRM Meet the Team Our core values Practice areas Request a consultation In the media Case studies Testimonials   LEARN Articles Videos Downloads Newsletter archive All resources   Schedule a 30-minute consultation for informed advice. Get in touch   Be sociable. Share this: Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X A SiteOrigin Theme Home Consultation Meet the team Resources In the media Practice Areas Consultation - Bornstein Law Skip to content Home Consultation Meet the team Resources In the media Practice Areas Menu Search for: Let's have a heart-to-heart conversation about how we can help. In the course of a 30-minute consultation, we can recommend how to proceed in any landlord-tenant disputes or address any other real estate concerns. Enter your email address and phone number and we'll send you an intake form that will glean more details to have an informed dialogue. A SiteOrigin Theme Home Consultation Meet the team Resources In the media Practice Areas Bornstein Law Testimonials Skip to content Home Consultation Meet the team Resources In the media Practice Areas Menu Search for: Even though I am a lawyer, I find the landlord tenant laws in San Francisco to be beyond any kind of rational understanding. For that reason, I always stay connected to Daniel who constantly provides some kind of clarification to a maze of the many contradictory laws that are the San Francisco laws with regard to renting. If you sign up for his free webinars or stay connected to him on social media, you will have a chance at understanding what is going on. I really appreciate the educational service that he provides to any landlord or tenant who take the time to connect with him. As an attorney, Daniel is both aggressive and prudent, two qualities that benefit his clients immensely. He once explained to me that most Tenant / Landlord legal matters are like a “knot.” The harder each side tries to win the less likely the “knot” is untangled – once one of the parties stops trying to win, and starts trying to untangle themselves from the matter, it is more likely to quickly and efficiently come to a reasonable conclusion. Daniel and his team are world-class real estate attorneys, when a question is asked outside of their expertise they will acknowledge this and refer you to someone else. I would without hesitation recommend using Daniel for Tenant / Landlord legal matters. Daniel, I think, is doing something that is unheard of, and has not been done before, where you have the 'ultimate advocate,' advocating for the property owner in court, advocating for the property owner outside of court, with the educational classes, so this is fantastic. Nobody has done this before, and nobody has this combination of services you are offering, and I think if you didn't exist in this room we'd have to invent you. Daniel is an outstanding ally to have in your corner whether you are a landlord, or considering purchasing investment property with tenants in San Francisco. Regardless of any social position one may take about evictions or reclamation of investment property, the reality is that the presence of tenants changes the value of property and your ability to buy, sell, and finance that property. An effective negotiation between landlord and tenant can be a mutually beneficial arrangement, and Daniel understands the law in a way that will allow you to make the best decision possible based on your goals, while keeping your integrity intact. Whether contacting Daniel for a brief initial consultation for information about options, or engaging Daniel to carry out an Owner Move-In Eviction, negotiated tenant buyout, or other landlord/tenant matter, he's one of the best out there. Daniel will provide you with options about to handle your matter, help you assess which option will best meet your needs, and carry out the complex legal tasks needed to reach your goal. While administering a property serving formerly homeless and disabled individuals, I benefited from Daniel´s assistance on over thirty eviction proceedings, rent board disputes and other landlord-tenant disputes. I am confident that Daniel´s expertise, creativity and no-nonsense approach to dispute resolution saved my property countless dollars in what could have become costly and drawn-out legal battles. Due to the composition of my property´s resident population and my organization´s high level of interaction with governmental entities, any legal action initiated by my property management team had the potential to create lasting and very public headaches for my property and my organization. Daniel´s sensitivity to the needs of my tenants and his understanding of the delicate position that my organization holds, enabled my management team to effectively enforce the terms of our lease without incurring the wrath of numerous government entities. Daniel, Thank you for including us in this informative event, and for the positive way in which you introduced SPOSFI. We handed out a lot of newsletters to people who were not familiar with us. The presentation you gave was very interesting. You are excellent at explaining these complicated matters, and the flow charts and fact sheets are so helpful. Understanding the conditions of all these restrictions will keep people out of trouble (we hope). Thanks again. Daniel Bornstein was very efficient in handling my complex tenant issue in San Francisco. He was very successful in handling the detailed paperwork which resulted with a positive outcome within weeks. His office staff were also very efficient in accommodating my busy schedule. I highly recommend Bornstein law for any tenant issues in the Bay Area.. Daniel Bornstein gives my clients and myself confidence and peace of mind when it comes to landlord-tenant questions. I highly recommend his services!   Daniel and his legal team were a great choice when I needed help with my landlord/ tenant law. Everyone worked like a well oiled machine, being well cooperative, knowledgeable, and organized throughout the process. They consistently worked to attend to any questions, and concerns I may have had. They educated me every step of the way in the steps that were gonna be taken from court dates to evictions. I was consistently kept informed throughout our time working together. They quickly took action when necessary while still keeping things calm, and professional. I’d definitely recommend Bornstein Law to anyone having issues with real estate law, they’re definitely the way to go!   Daniel Bornstein is exceptionally smart , savvy, and versed in Landlord/tenant laws and so much more. He is articulate, compassionate, while being professional and following the laws of the courts when it comes to assisting landlords in the ever changing climate of the rental housing business. Daniel generously gives his precious time when he can and provides lectures and presentations to the community at large. He recently did one for The Rental Housing Association of Southern Alameda County to glowing feedback from landlords across the cities in AC that attended. Thank you Daniel and staff, we appreciate you!   I known Daniel Bornstein more than 25 years and used his service 4 or 5 times. To me, he's very professional and well worth it. I had on full eviction he did before and it was great, from beginning to end (sheriff came to escort the tenants out). Other times I needed some clarity on my legal right as a landlord. But the most recent advice from Daniel was the best. I had a tenant who was 5 months behind on rent and I didn't know what to do. I had a 20 minute consultation with Daniel and I contacted tenant right away. I told the tenant that if he didn't pay the full remaining rent by the due date, I will have my lawyer serve him notice for eviction. Few days later, he contacted me to pay all his rent in full. I said WOW. Thanks Daniel. You are the best. Daniel Bornstein is the ABSOLUTE BEST! He is timely, concise , effective and a pleasure to work with. He took my unique subtenant nuisance case and resolved it in 14 days. He knows this area of law from top to bottom and is the definition of an expert. A few weeks later after our case was closed, Daniel also helped us with an unfair eviction motion filed by my current property management company. He quickly identified the falsities and put together a plan for me. Everything he helped me with resolved in my favor. I respect his tenacity and passion and would recommend him to anyone with an issue in this area of law. He and his team are rockstars!!   We had a complex real estate situation involving the purchase of an occupied condo in San Francisco and subsequently needed to navigate an owner-occupied eviction. Bornstein Law proved to be an invaluable resource throughout the entire process. We were consistently impressed by their sage advice, responsiveness, meticulous attention to detail, and the high level of trust they instilled. They provid Bornstein Law In The Media - Bornstein Law Skip to content Home Consultation Meet the team Resources In the media Practice Areas Menu Search for: A balanced voice in shaping the conversation from the landlord's perspective. There is a chorus of voices from the tenants' rights camp, but comparatively little narrative through the prism of rental property owners who face unique challenges of their own. As ambassadors of owners, Bornstein Law fills the void in the marketplace of ideas by sharing the collective voice of landlords we represent in our practice and telling their stories.   Twitter sued by landlord for allegedly failing to pay rent After drastic cost-cutting measures, Daniel tells CNN that Elon Musk has tremendous clout in renegotiating lease terms, noting that Twitter is too lucrative a tenant to lose. This Bay Area county to be latest to ban criminal background checks for renters As "fair chance" housing laws that conceal criminal histories gain traction, Daniel tells Mercury News that a blanket ban on background checks presents a risk to the community.   As Alameda County weighs giving ex-offenders a second chance, Daniel advocates for housing providers looking to assess risk     Real Estate Lawyer On San Francisco's Housing Crisis Daniel was asked some pointed questions on why there is a housing dearth, the impact of the tech industry, and embracing market changes. https://youtu.be/_r6NvbfciYk   Alameda County becomes the first county in the nation to give formerly incarcerated people who have paid their debts to society a 'Fair Chance' at housing through a recently minted ordinance. Daniel understands the public policy behind the new law but of paramount concern is identifying rental risks to ensure that community members are safe, he tells ABC7 News. Listen and read the story →     Daniel interviewed by a local news channel after Zumper launches a pioneering rent guarantee program. He tells landlords to look at the fine print and offers a bit of perspective on whether or not landlords should sign up for this insurance policy.   Proposed tenant organizing protections could shift the balance of power in San Francisco Daniel expresses concern that landlords will get treated unfairly when it is alleged that landlords do not make a "good faith" effort to engage with tenant unions. This is an ambiguous term, he tells the San Francisco Public Press. Read on →   Moms 4 Housing-inspired bill becomes California law Daniel tells Mercury News that a new law targeting corporate home buyers presents a unique opportunity for individual investors to buy properties with new capabilities to "come and play" in a marketplace they have been shut out of until now. Go to the story ›   California Homeowners Wonder How To Pay Mortgage As Renters Withhold Payments Amid Coronavirus Sheltering Daniel tells San Francisco KPIX 5 what he would like to see done to protect owners who are dependent on rental income to pay their bills and sustain life. "If the owner is in occupancy, there is not a way to remove them through the court system... It’s one thing to lose ownership of your home. It’s another thing to lose occupancy. Once you have ownership, the question becomes, ‘What are you going to do next?’ The investor is going to have to be very, very patient." Daniel's comments in this San Francisco Chronicle article on the continued foreclosure sales during the pandemic.   Lawyer pumps up S.F. landlords at boot camp In a city known for rallies organized by everyone from Tibetan freedom activists to Folsom Street leather fetishists, Daniel speaks to an unusual demographic: landlords. Our events featured here →   Weighing the privacy concerns of tenants infected with coronavirus with the safety of neighboring residents Daniel was quoted in this piece on the ethical conundrum landlords face when balancing public safety against privacy when tenants test positive for coranavirus. Landlords have to communicate "in a manner that doesn’t cause panic and that doesn’t create greater risk than is necessary. Those types of issues are very tricky and we are in uncharted territory. It’s new for us,” he told CBS San Francisco.   The next COVID-19 crisis: The coming tidal wave of evictions Why is a landlord in a better position to bear a burden than others? That's a question posed by Daniel in this Curbed article. He offers his take on public policies and submits there should be a means-test for tenants who assert a COVID-19-related hardship. GO THE STORY › Small San Francisco Landlords Say Legalizing ADU's Is A Catch 22 When owners attempt to legalize an illegal unit, maddening regulations can stand in the way. Daniel tells KPIX CBS that owners are caught between a rock and a hard place. Watch video → Oakland apartment tenants on strike, refuse to pay rent until landlord sells property to them In his talk to this ABC affiliate, Daniel expresses the concern that constructive tenant advocacy can morph into a heavy-handed extortion plot. Some Oakland residents say they won’t pay the rent unless the building is sold to a 3rd Party Non-Profit. The non-profit uses the tenant dispute to enlarge their real estate holdings – not pretty. Daniel was asked to chime in →   Daniel's perspective on the tragic Orinda shooting in an "Airbnb Mansion Party" on Halloween night After five young lives were sadly lost, local media outlets asked Daniel Bornstein to offer some takeaways from the horror that took place in the home listed on the home sharing website. Watch video Daniel tells FOX KTVU that while Airbnb has made a good-faith effort in cracking down on rogue hosts and guests, the renting of a one-night rental in a suburban community should have smelled fishy, and that Airbnb deserves greater scrutiny.   Play now   From the San Francisco Chronicle Who will pay for the loss of life and injuries inflicted in the Airbnb Mansion Party? That is a provocative question posed to a panel of attorneys, Daniel Bornstein among them.   Read the article   After lawmakers scrambled to find a long-term solution to the fallout of COVID-19, Daniel said it was time for the private sector to step in. He was quoted here as saying that rather than making his clients pay the price, he would much rather “like to have seen 75 billionaires in the Bay Area put together a billion dollars for some communitywide bailout.”   Daniel Bornstein weighs in on a Moms 4 Housing-inspired policy that stands to upend the rental housing market in Oakland and throughout the Bay Area Public policies that give nonprofits preferential treatment in the purchase of multi-unit properties up for sale may be unfair to other buyers who are relegated to the back of the line. Daniel told Mercury News that these "feel good" measures are a band-aid fixes in the absence of hard policy decisions. The ripple effect of a widespread movement →   From a landlord's perspective: Small property owners feel slighted in extreme housing market KALW Public Radio has heard from renters about the friction between landlords and tenants, but it's not often that they heard from owners. To get a glimpse into what owners have to say, they turned to us. Read or listen about how our events empower rental property owners in a complicated regulatory regime. Tune in →     What landlords need to know amid the immigration debate In the anti-Trump movement, California has been a pioneer in enacting legislation that protects immigrants, and this includes safeguards against landlords who weaponize immigration status. Read the cover story →     Anti-Eviction Group Publishes List Of Tech Landlords With History Of Evictions In San Francisco Daniel says that owners can't shoulder the blame for the eviction epidemic and that solving the affordable housing dearth takes a community effort. Read more →   More topics that matter. Insights with impact. As Prop. 10 lo About San Francisco Bay Area Landlord Lawyers - Bornstein Law Skip to content Home Consultation Meet the team Resources In the media Practice Areas Menu Search for: The boutique firm of Bornstein Law exemplifies the personal qualities of its founder and the definitive voice for rental property owners, attorney Daniel Bornstein. Practicing law for the better part of three decades, Daniel Bornstein is one of the foremost authorities in managing rental relationships, handling landlord-tenant disputes, and representing clients in complex real estate litigation throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Having successfully resolved thousands of conflicts, Daniel is also the broker of record for Bay Property Group, an expert witness, and a real estate investor himself. Renowned for his informative events, he has made it a lifelong mission to educate rental property owners on a maddening regulatory regime, how to mitigate risk, and how to avoid common pitfalls in landlordording.and property management.   Meet other stellar team members dedicated to helping housing providers power through their challenges.   Kathryn Quetel, Esq. Daniel Cheung, Esq. Dylan Tong, Esq. Nicole Blake, Esq. Daniela Cronembold, Esq. Gino Mazzoni, Esq.       Our efforts are augmented by a support staff with meticulous attention to detail and committed to serving the needs of our clients.   Andrew Peranandam Controller   Rajen Krishnan Office Administrator   Patrick Woo Paralegal     Elizabeth Tang Office Administrator   Rogelio Lopez Executive Assistant   We think smartly and strategically about your real estate investments. Bornstein Law approaches cases from the perspective of a business decision. As investors ourselves, your bottom line is always top of mind and the advice we impart is what we would do ourselves – we put ourselves in your shoes. Frank, candid advice removed from the emotional fray. We allow clients the opportunity to emote and then we get laser-focused on accomplishing the goal at hand. Being forthright and blunt, we found, is the best way to approach difficult rental relationships. When there is no easy solution, we will tell you. You’ll find our direct and sensible communication to be valuable in our dialogue with tenants or their counsel, and this sometimes requires “thick skin” in informing residents that it is time to make a chapter change in their housing. We know what we know, and we know what we don't know. Law has become very niche-specific and our firm refuses to spread ourselves too thinly. Managing landlord-tenant relationships is what we do on a daily basis and when a matter migrates into another area of law, we will refer you to an expert in their respective field. Our goal is never to enlarge a dispute but resolve it as quickly and inexpensively as possible, taking into account time, risk, and attorneys' fees. Although we are not doctors, we take the Hippocratic Oath to do no harm. When a dispute is enlarged, it costs our clients more money and we don’t like that. It’s analogous to a game of chess. We like to play five-minute chess, not a four-hour game of chess. Unlike some attorneys who feed their families by being mired in long, protracted disputes and dragging the matter on, our firm abhors a lengthy conflict. Lowering the temperature of disputes and avoiding court if at all possible. Litigation is not like a Warriors or an A’s game when one side wins and one side loses. It can be a costly and harrowing endeavor. Our strong preference is to resolve a matter out of court by having a leveraged discussion with the tenant or their counsel. Zealous advocacy in a difficult set of circumstances. We are human and sometimes, it’s hard not to be empathetic to the other party, but as professionals, we remain steadfast in accomplishing the goal you hired us to do.   We are deeply committed to educating our community about a complicated regulatory regime. Landlording is fraught with risks and small property owners are especially vulnerable to making costly mistakes that are not compliant with a minefield of new rules. View our knowledge base with recently updated resources → Read our library of articles → View a handful of many webinars → In the news: How our events empower rental property owners to understand regulations and make smart business decisions →   NEWSROOM We raise the voice of rental housing providers Although the political rhetoric nowadays falls squarely on the side of tenants, Bornstein Law offers a fresh perspective through the lens of underrepresented property owners. Numerous media outlets have called upon us to articulate your case.   IN THE MEDIA Case studies Our team of experienced lawyers shares a breadth of knowledge and expertise that make us well-suited for every kind of landlord-tenant matter. We mention but a few here, Examples of success » Our clients say it best.   [su_testimonial name="Paul Barbagelata" photo="https://bornstein.law/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/testimonialspaul.jpg"]Very helpful and on top of all pertinent laws and ordinances. My company and my clients have benefited greatly from Daniel and his team.[/su_testimonial] [su_testimonial name="Bill Bagnell" photo="https://bornstein.law/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/testimonialbill.jpg"]Daniel is a fantastic lawyer with a team of experts. Don’t try to handle tenant issues on your own, hire a pro. He has successfully fought on my behalf on multiple occasions. I would highly recommend him for most real estate issues[/su_testimonial] [su_testimonial name="Basil Mufarreh" photo="https://bornstein.law/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/testimonialbasil.png"]We have been using Daniel Bornstein for a number of years, we’ve always been very satisfied. Daniel is very responsive and has always given us great advice. We own and manage over a 120 units is San Francisco, Bornstein Law is our go too Firm. Bill M[/su_testimonial]   Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. This honor is not a given, even for highly competent attorneys. Super Lawyers recognizes the top 5 percent of the lawyers in the state. Independent research and peer evaluations single out the cream of the crop in more than 70 practice areas.     507 Polk St, Suite 410, San Francisco, CA 94102 410 7th St, Suite 203, Oakland, CA 94607 415-409-7611 [email protected]   THE FIRM Meet the Team Our core values Practice areas Request a consultation In the media Case studies Testimonials   LEARN Articles Videos Downloads Newsletter archive All resources   Schedule a 30-minute consultation for informed advice. Get in touch   Be sociable. Share this: Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Share on X (Opens in new window) X A SiteOrigin Theme Home Consultation Meet the team Resources In the media Practice Areas