Rent control is one of the most important tenant protections in San Francisco. Approximately 170,000+ units are covered by rent control, providing stability in one of the most expensive rental markets in the country. If your apartment qualifies, you're protected from dramatic rent increases and have strong eviction protections.
What is Rent Control?
San Francisco's Rent Ordinance limits how much landlords can raise rent each year and provides "just cause" eviction protection. Unlike some cities where rent control only limits increases, SF's ordinance also prevents landlords from evicting tenants without a valid legal reason.
Key benefits of rent control:
- Capped rent increases — Limited to 60% of the regional CPI (typically 1.5-3% per year)
- Just cause eviction protection — Cannot be evicted without a valid legal reason
- Right to renew — Your landlord can't refuse to renew your tenancy
- Petition rights — Challenge illegal increases at the Rent Board
- Required disclosures — Landlord must provide rent control information
Which Buildings Are Rent-Controlled?
Generally, a building is rent-controlled if:
Rent Control Criteria
- Built before June 13, 1979
This is the key date. Buildings with a certificate of occupancy before this date are covered.
- Has 2 or more residential units
Single-family homes are generally not covered (though they may have just cause eviction protection under state law).
What's NOT Covered
- Buildings built after June 13, 1979
- Single-family homes (generally exempt)
- Condos (usually exempt, but may have state-level protections)
- Some subsidized housing
- Owner-occupied buildings with 2-4 units where owner lived there since before rent control
How to Check If Your Apartment is Rent-Controlled
There are several ways to verify:
1. Check Your Lease
Landlords are required to disclose rent control status. Look for language about the SF Rent Ordinance or rent control in your lease or in disclosures provided at move-in.
2. Check Building Age
If your building was constructed before June 13, 1979 and has 2+ units, it's likely rent-controlled. You can check the building's age through public records or the SF Assessor's office.
3. Contact the SF Rent Board
SF Rent Board Contact
- Phone: (415) 252-4600
- Website: sf.gov/rent-board
- In Person: 25 Van Ness Ave, Suite 320
Call or visit to confirm your unit's rent control status. They can look up your address.
How Much Can Rent Increase?
The SF Rent Board sets the allowable annual increase each year. It's calculated as 60% of the regional Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Compare this to market-rate apartments in SF, where landlords can raise rent by any amount when your lease ends. Some tenants have faced 30-50%+ increases.
Watch for Illegal Increases
If your landlord tries to raise rent more than the allowed amount, you can file a petition with the Rent Board. You may be entitled to a refund of overpaid rent.
Just Cause Eviction Protection
One of the most valuable protections: your landlord cannot evict you without a just cause reason. This means you have stability and can stay in your apartment as long as you:
- Pay rent on time
- Follow the terms of your lease
- Don't create a nuisance
- Allow reasonable access for repairs
Even if your lease expires, you have the right to continue your tenancy under rent control.
Learn more about eviction protections →
Common Myths About SF Rent Control
With rent control, you have the right to stay even after your lease expires. Your tenancy becomes month-to-month with the same protections.
This is called "vacancy decontrol" and while landlords CAN raise rent to market rate when a unit is vacant, once you move in, increases are limited again.
Even if you're not covered by SF rent control, California's AB 1482 provides statewide rent caps (around 10%) and just cause eviction protection for many tenants.