Everything you need to know about finding an apartment, understanding your rights, researching buildings, and navigating San Francisco's competitive rental market.
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Everything you need to know about apartment hunting in San Francisco. From setting your budget to signing the lease.
New to renting in San Francisco? This guide covers everything from documents you'll need to common mistakes to avoid.
Find the best neighborhoods in San Francisco for your budget. Compare average rents, transit access, and quality of life.
New to SF? Start here to learn the basics of apartment hunting.
Everything you need to know about apartment hunting in San Francisco. From setting your budget to signing the lease.
12 min readNew to renting in San Francisco? This guide covers everything from documents you'll need to common mistakes to avoid.
14 min readDon't sign a lease without asking these critical questions. Protect yourself from surprises.
7 min readComplete guide for relocating to San Francisco. Budget, timeline, neighborhoods, and tips from locals.
15 min readDecode SF apartment types: studios, in-law units, TICs, SROs, and more. What do they all mean?
8 min readKnow your legal protections as an SF renter.
A comprehensive guide to tenant rights in San Francisco. From repairs to eviction protections.
15 min readLearn what rent control means in SF, how to check if your apartment qualifies, and what protections it provides.
10 min readUnderstand your rights when your lease is up. Renewal terms, rent increases, and negotiation strategies.
9 min readKnow your rights regarding heat and hot water in San Francisco. Learn what to do if your landlord doesn't comply.
6 min readUnderstand the Ellis Act, owner move-in evictions, and your rights if your landlord wants you out.
8 min readNeed to break your lease early? Learn your options, potential costs, and how to negotiate.
10 min readLearn how to research any building before you rent.
Understand the true costs of renting in San Francisco.
Understanding broker fees in San Francisco, and how to find no-fee apartments.
7 min readEverything about security deposits in San Francisco, including limits, timelines, and getting your money back.
8 min readDon't meet income requirements? Learn about personal guarantors, guarantor services, and alternatives.
9 min readProtect yourself from rental fraud and scams.
Compare building quality, rent prices, and scores across every San Francisco neighborhood.
You'll typically need first month's rent and security deposit (up to 2 months for unfurnished). Most landlords require income of 2.5-3x monthly rent. For a $3,000/month apartment, expect $6,000-9,000 upfront and annual income of $108,000+.
Read our First-Time Renter Guide →SF rent control limits annual rent increases and provides eviction protections. It typically applies to buildings built before June 1979. Rent-controlled tenants have capped annual increases and "just cause" eviction protection.
Read our Rent Control Guide →The Ellis Act is a California law that allows landlords to evict all tenants to "go out of the rental business." It's commonly used to convert rental units to condos or TICs. Tenants receive relocation payments.
Learn about the Ellis Act →SF tenants have extensive rights including: the right to livable conditions, just cause eviction protection, rent control for qualifying units, security deposit limits, and protection from discrimination and harassment.
Read our Complete Tenant Rights Guide →In California, landlords can charge up to 2 months' rent for unfurnished apartments and 3 months' rent for furnished apartments. The deposit must be returned within 21 days of move-out.
Read our Security Deposit Guide →All information in this guide is based on official San Francisco and California regulations. StreetSmart aggregates data to give you the most complete picture of any building.
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