This week, Mayor Daniel Lurie declared a “Rent Emergency” and announced a package of legislative reforms designed to aid renters and prevent evictions.
The legislative package includes new legislation, funding for eviction defense and housing vouchers, increased enforcement, and a Know Your Rights campaign for renters and property owners. SFAA met with Mayor Lurie’s office this week, and had already been in conversation with many members of the Board of Supervisors on some of the legislation included in the package.
The following items are included as part of the announcement:Â
- Legislation sponsored by Supervisor Jackie Fielder (District 9) which would prohibit evictions for nonpayment of rent if the amount of rent owed is less than the Fair Market Rent for the area, as defined by HUD:
For Studios: $2,485, for 1-Bedrooms: $2,977, for 2-Bedrooms: $3,604, for 3-Bedrooms: $4,604, and for 4-Bedrooms: $4,772.
- Legislation sponsored by Danny Sauter (District 3) which would place a cap of 10% when a property owner is raising rent with banked rent increases and capital improvements.
- Legislation sponsored by Mayor Lurie which would increase relocation payments for Ellis Act evictions by approximately $3,000 per person.
- An additional $3 million in funding to be allocated to the Tenant Right to Counsel Program to fund eviction defense.
- Outreach to tenants about the City Attorney’s complaint portal to address patterns of illegal behavior.
- Investment in a Know Your Rights campaign to educate renters and property owners on their legal protections and responsibilities.
- Additional funding for housing vouchers to provide rent subsidies for low-income households.
WHAT SFAA IS DOING FOR PROPERTY OWNERS?Â
SFAA is submitting a letter of objection and a legal opinion to Mayor Lurie and the Board of Supervisors asserting that the Fielder ordinance to create a monetary threshold for nonpayment of rent evictions is preempted by state law.
The letter argues that the City should not move forward with the ordinance while the California Supreme Court is actively considering the very same legal question it presents.
Nearly identical legislation has been passed in Los Angeles, and the question of “Does the Unlawful Detainer Act preempt a local ordinance setting a monetary threshold requirement for unpaid rent before a landlord may commence unlawful detainer proceedings?” is currently under review by the California Supreme Court.
SFAA is currently reviewing its opportunity to litigate to strike down the proposal if the legislation is approved by the Board of Supervisors.
Legislation to increase relocation payments for Ellis Act evictions is also potentially preempted by state law. SFAA will also review its opportunity to litigate to strike down this proposal, if it is approved by the Board of Supervisors.
SFAA has also met with Supervisor Sauter to discuss banked rent increases. When rent increases are banked, tenants save money every month. SFAA has stressed that legislation should not punish a landlord for not increasing the rent each year. The pending legislation would cap banked rent increases at 10%, but does not propose to eliminate unused rent increases from prior years.
Stay tuned for future updates!
TRN Law Associates is available to help. We have been practicing real estate and landlord-tenant law in California for over 15 years. We have offices in San Francisco, San Rafael, and Santa Monica. Contact us at (415) 823-4566 to make sure that you are covered or if you should have any questions regarding a real estate or landlord-tenant matter.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information regarding California law as of September 2026. It does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship.