I’m a tenant rights attorney in San Francisco. I’ve seen what renters go through. I’ve seen walls covered in mold. I’ve seen ceilings leak for months. I’ve talked to tenants living without heat in winter. Cold showers in summer. And worst of all? Silence. No calls returned. No repairs. And no care.
Many renters tell me they feel helpless. But you’re not. You have rights. You have protection. California law stands with you, even when landlords don’t.
So, let me ask you: Is your home safe? Are there leaks, mold, or pests? Has your landlord promised repairs that never happened? Are you scared to speak up? Do you wonder how to report habitability issues in San Francisco?
If you said yes, I’ll show you what to do next.
Tenant Rights and Habitability Laws
You have the right to live in a safe, healthy home. Your landlord must fix mold, leaks, and broken heaters. These rules come from the California Civil Code and the San Francisco Housing Code.
But many landlords break the rules. In 2025, the city sued the owner of 646 Ellis Street. That building had rats, sewage leaks, and no hot water. The landlord ignored orders for years. Only when the city stepped in did anything change.
So, how do you know if your home breaks the rules?
San Francisco Housing Code Violations
Let’s look at what the law says landlords must fix:
- Mold, leaks, and pests are not allowed
- Heat, plumbing, and windows must work
- Walls, ceilings, and floors must be safe
- Landlords must respond to serious problems
How to Report Habitability Issues in San Francisco
If you see these issues, report them right away:
- Visit the SF Rent Board or DBI website
- Fill out the complaint form with photos and dates
- Keep copies of your complaint for records
- Follow up if nothing changes.
Where to Report Bad Landlord in SF
Many renters fear speaking up. But the law protects you. If your landlord ignores major problems, report them.
Recently, the city fined landlords of three Chinatown SRO hotels $810,000. The buildings had mold, broken plumbing, and pests. Tenants complained for years. When they finally reported the issues, the city took action.
So, How Can You File a Tenant Complaint
Here’s how you file a complaint:
- Go to the San Francisco Rent Board website
- Fill out the complaint form clearly
- Add proof like photos, letters, and repair logs
- Save copies of everything you submit
File a Complaint with the SF Rent Board
Once you file, the Rent Board can help:
- They contact your landlord
- They demand repairs
- They protect you from eviction
- You can go online or in person.
San Francisco Department of Building Inspection Complaint
Some problems need a city inspector. If your ceiling is falling or mold is everywhere, call the DBI. They will inspect and tell the landlord what to fix.
A 2024 white paper in the AIHA Journal found that early inspections help. Mold dropped by 60% when inspectors caught the issue early.
Report Unlivable Conditions SF Apartment
Here’s how to report dangerous living conditions:
- Call 3-1-1 or go to sfdbi.org
- A building inspector will visit your unit
- They issue a notice to your landlord
- You do NOT need your landlord’s OK to report
- The city gives a deadline to fix the problem
Tenant Rights Unsafe Apartment SF
No one should live with mold, pests, or broken plumbing. If your landlord refuses to act, you still have rights. You can report them. You can even withhold rent or sue them.
Coulson et al. (2025), in the American Journal of Law, studied tenant protections and eviction rates. It found that strong tenant laws cut unfair evictions by 50%. That’s proof that your rights matter.
What to Do When Repairs Get Ignored
Here are the steps you should take:
- Keep a list of every repair request
- Take photos and videos
- File reports with city agencies
- Keep speaking up until repairs happen
Habitability Laws for SF Tenants
California and San Francisco laws protect your right to a livable home. If your landlord breaks these laws, you can go to court. You may get a rent refund. You may win an order for repairs.
A 2024 study in the Wayne Law Review found that most courts support tenants. Judges often reduce rent or order landlords to act. But you must speak up to get help.
Let’s look at what you can do under these laws.
Legal Paths When Landlords Ignore the Law
If your landlord won’t act, you have legal choices:
- Ask DBI to issue a violation notice
- Take your landlord to small claims court
- Call a tenant rights lawyer
- In some cases, fix it yourself and deduct the cost
What to Do If Repairs Are Faked
Sometimes, landlords lie. They say they fixed something, but didn’t. That’s bad faith. You can fight it. You can prove it. And you can win.
A recent 2025 report in Justia’s Tenants’ Rights & Consumer Protection Laws explains this. It says fake repairs are common. Many landlords use cheap tricks to avoid real fixes. Courts are now catching on.
How to Prove Bad Repairs in an SF Apartment
Here’s how to show your landlord faked repairs:
- Take before-and-after photos
- Keep receipts or texts from your landlord
- Report the issue again if it’s not fixed
- Talk to a lawyer if it keeps happening
Your Safety Is the Law
You don’t have to live in a broken home. Not with mold. Not with cold showers. Not with silence. You have rights—and now, you know what they are.
We talked about how to spot a housing code violation. We explained how to file complaints with the Rent Board and the Department of Building Inspection. You learned how to protect yourself when repairs are ignored—or faked. And we showed you what California and San Francisco laws say about your safety.
So now ask yourself:
Is your landlord stalling? Do the same problems keep coming back? Do you have proof, but still no results? Are you ready to stop waiting?
If the answer is yes, call us. We’re here to help.
At The Law Firm for Tenant Rights, Inc., we help renters like you every day. We know the law. We use it to get repairs done, win rent refunds, and hold landlords accountable. You don’t have to do this alone.
Call us today. Please don’t wait until it gets worse.
FAQs
- What is a San Francisco rental habitability complaint?
A formal report about unsafe housing sent to the city. - How do I file a complaint with the SF Rent Board?
Go online, fill out the form, and add photos and details. - Can I report my landlord in SF?
Yes. You can report problems to the Rent Board or DBI. - What if my landlord won’t fix anything?
Document it and report them. Call a lawyer if needed. - What are unsafe conditions in a rental?
Mold, leaks, broken heat, no hot water, or pests. - Where do I report bad landlords in SF?
File a complaint with the SF Rent Board or DBI. - What if repairs are fake or unfinished?
Take photos and report the issue again with new evidence. - Are there habitability laws for SF tenants?
Yes. State and city laws protect your right to a safe home. - Can I be evicted for complaining?
No. The law says landlords cannot evict you for reporting. - Can I get money back for bad housing?
Yes. You may win a rent refund or repair order in court.
