Your rights as a tenant in San Francisco, in plain English
Tenants generally have the right to a habitable home, to request repairs, to receive required notices, and to use legal processes rather than self-help lockouts or utility shutoffs. San Francisco and California law may also limit rent increases or require a lawful reason and process for ending a tenancy.
Your lease, unit type, and household status still matter. Keep a copy of the lease, notices, rent receipts, repair requests, photographs, and messages. Those records turn a vague problem into something a tenant counselor, agency, or lawyer can evaluate.
If you receive an eviction notice or court papers, act quickly. The Rent Board can provide information, but court deadlines require prompt legal help.
Source: SF Rent Board tenant information.