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What are my rights as a tenant?

Is your landlord increasing your rent by an absurd amount? Are they threatening to kick you out of your living space for a ridiculous reason? If you want to learn some more about legal rent increase and the legal eviction process—or get in contact with someone who can give you legal advice—then read the article below. 

So, I rent in San Francisco. What are my rights as a tenant? 

Article written by Elizabeth Soriano – July 2nd 2025.   

According to the San Francisco Administrative Code, Residential Rent Stabilization and Arbitration Ordinance Section 37.2 (t) states that a tenant is “[a] person entitled by written or oral agreement, sub-tenancy approved by the landlord, or by sufferance, to occupy a residential dwelling unit to the exclusion of others.”1 If you have an agreement, in writing or verbal, with a landlord to live in a residential dwelling unit (apartment, studio, in-law suite, house, etc.), then you are considered a tenant. A landlord is defined as “[an] owner, lessor, sublessor, who receives or is entitled to receive rent for the use and occupancy of any residential rental unit or portion thereof in the City and County of San Francisco, and the agent, representative or successor of any of the foregoing.”1  

 

Can my landlord increase my rent however much they want, whenever they want? 

There are protections in place for tenants so that landlords can’t drastically increase rent whenever they feel like it. For many residential units built on or before June 13, 1979, they have both rent control and eviction protection regulations.2,3 According to the City and County of San Francisco, a landlord must follow the following criteria to increase rent2: 

  1. Report into the Rent Board Housing Inventory to obtain a rent increase license.4 
  2. Give a tenant a 30-day written notice of the proposed rent increase (note: if the increase [either by itself or combined with another increase in the same year] is more than 10%, than a 90-day written notice is required) 
  3. The rent increase notice should include the dollar amount of the increase, the percentage amount of the increase, and the date the increase will go into effect. 

Effective March 1, 2025 through February 28, 2026, the allowed rent increase percentage on most units built before June 14, 1979 is 1.4% (based on the tenant’s base rent).2 Every 12 months, your landlord can increase your rent by the percentage set by the City and County of San Francisco—which is currently 1.4%. Your landlord may choose to “skip” a rent increase for one 12-month period and may add or “bank” it onto the next rent increase period (after another 12 months). To verify if your unit has rent control or eviction protection regulations, speak with a Rent Board counselor (call for phone counseling: 415-252-4600).5 

Meme of When the Landlord Increases the Rent

Can my landlord kick me out of the residential unit I rent whenever they want? 

Like with rent control, there are also protections in place so that landlords can’t kick tenants out of a unit whenever they feel like it. Eviction is a legal process of removing a tenant from a residential unit, and the landlord must follow the step-by-step process as described by the City and County of San Francisco and the Superior Court of San Francisco County for it to be considered legal. 6,7 Generally, the eviction process requires the following to occur:  

  1. The landlord must present the tenant with a notice to terminate tenancy. There are different kinds of notices (for nonpayment, substantial nuisance, breach of lease, etc.), and they can be 3 days, 10 days, 30 days, 60 days, or 120 days.8 Different notices have different requirements and notices may be extended in certain circumstances. For more information on eviction notice requirements, visit the City and County of San Francisco's website or the Superior Court’s website.8,9  
  2. After giving the tenant a written notice, the landlord must file a Summons & Complaint for Unlawful Detainer with the Superior Court of San Francisco County; which gives them the right to take back the residential unit from the tenant.10 According to the Superior Court, one of two outcomes may occur: 
  3. “If the tenant, or a tenant representative responds, then the matter goes to court. As the response is a legal procedure it is recommended that tenants speak with an attorney for legal advice.”6 
  4. “If the tenant does not respond within 10 days, not counting weekends or holidays, they may receive a default judgment. The tenant loses automatically in that circumstance.”6 

NOTE: The City and County of San Francisco recommends contacting the Eviction Defense Collaborative at (415) 659-9184 if you have received a Summons & Complaint for Unlawful Detainer.11 

  1. The eviction may be set for trial. Generally, about a week before the trial date, both parties will meet for a Mandatory Settlement Conference to possibly settle the conflict if both parties can come to an agreement. If no agreement/settlement is made, then the eviction will go to trial at a date determined by the courts. An eviction trial has two outcomes, decided by the judge: 
  2. The tenant wins6: If the tenant wins their case, the tenant gets to stay in their residential unit and does not have to vacate. The tenant may be able to recover the cost of suit or attorney's fees; however, this is a legal matter that should be discussed with an attorney. 
  3. The tenant loses6,12: If the tenant loses their case, the decision is issued against the tenant, a sheriff will be notified, and the landlord will be issued a Judgment of Possession that gives the landlord possession (ownership) of their property. From here, a tenant will receive a Sheriff's Notice to Vacate on their door with information on the time and date of the eviction. On the determined eviction date, the sheriff could remove the tenant from the property—if they haven’t vacated already—and lock them out by changing the lock. The landlord cannot immediately dispose of the tenant’s possessions; however, temporary storage of the tenant’s possessions can be arranged, and the tenant may be charged. 
  4. It is highly advised for a tenant to get legal advice if they would like to request a “stay of execution” to postpone the Sheriff’s eviction, as this will need to be approved by a judge at a hearing and requires the tenant to pay their landlord for the time they are approved to stay.12,13 

For general questions about the eviction process (regarding notices, just causes for eviction, etc.) or a referral to someone that can help with your specific situation, you can reach out to the Rent Board (call for phone counseling: 415-252-4600); however, it’s important to note that they cannot give you legal advice.5,14 Since evictions are handled at Superior Court, for situation-specific questions and legal assistance, check out the Superior Court’s list of free legal help and housing resources.15 

Guess Who's...Moving You

References 

  1. City and County of San Francisco. San Francisco administrative code, chapter 37: residential rent stabilization and arbitration ordinance. American Legal Publishing, https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/san_francisco/latest/sf_admin/0-0-0-15949, Amended June 23, 2025. Accessed July 2, 2025. 
  2. City and County of San Francisco. Learn about rent increases in San Francisco. sf.gov, https://www.sf.gov/learn-about-rent-increases-san-francisco, Accessed July 2, 2025. 
  3. City and County of San Francisco. Evictions in San Francisco. sf.gov. https://www.sf.gov/evictions-san-francisco, Accessed July 2, 2025. 
  4. City and County of San Francisco. The rent board housing inventory. sf.gov, https://www.sf.gov/rent-board-housing-inventory, Accessed July 2, 2025. 
  5. City and County of San Francisco. Rent board. sf.gov, https://www.sf.gov/departments--rent-board, Accessed July 2, 2025 
  6. City and County of San Francisco. The eviction process. sf.gov, https://www.sf.gov/step-by-step--eviction-process, Accessed July 2, 2025 
  7. California Courts Self-Help Guide. The eviction process for tenants. California Courts Judicial Branch of California, https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/eviction-tenant, Accessed July 2, 2025. 
  8. City and County of San Francisco. General eviction notice requirements. sf.gov, https://www.sf.gov/information--general-eviction-notice-requirements, Accessed July 2, 2025. 
  9. California Courts Self-Help Guide. If you get a notice. California Courts Judicial Branch of California, https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/eviction-tenant/notice, Accessed July 2, 2025. 
  10. California Courts Self-Help Guide. Evictions (residential). California Courts Judicial Branch of California, https://sf.courts.ca.gov/self-help/evictions, Accessed July 2, 2025. 
  11. Eviction Defense Collaborative. Legal assistance. EDC, https://evictiondefense.org/legal-assistance-services/, Accessed July 2, 2025. 
  12. California Courts Self-Help Guide. What happens if you lose your eviction case. California Courts Judicial Branch of California, https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/eviction-tenant/lose-case, Accessed July 2, 2025. 
  13. California Courts Self-Help Guide. Ask for more time to move. California Courts Judicial Branch of California, https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/eviction-tenant/lose-case/ask-more-time, Accessed July 2, 2025. 
  14. City and County of San Francisco. Rent board referral listing. sf.gov, https://www.sf.gov/reports--january-2025--rent-board-referral-listing, Accessed July 2, 2025. 
  15. California Courts Self-Help Guide. Legal and housing resources. California Courts Judicial Branch of California, https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/eviction-resources, Accessed July 2, 2025. 
  16. Make a Meme.org. Side-eyes chloe when the landlord increases the rent. https://makeameme.org/meme/when-the-landlord-5bb2b8, Accessed July 2, 2025. 
  17. NBC4 Staff. ‘Guess who’s moving? you!’: landlord’s eviction notice to tenant goes viral. WWLP, https://www.wwlp.com/news/world/guess-whos-moving-you-landlords-eviction-notice-to-tenant-goes-viral/, Published July 22, 2018. Accessed July 2, 2025. 

Systemic Scarcity: The Intentional Financial and Food Exclusion of Immigrants

“Systemic Scarcity: The Intentional Financial and Food Exclusion of Immigrants”

 

Imagine moving to the United States in search of financial success, only to face the challenge of low wages at a full-time job and struggle to make ends meet in order to pay rent and put food on the table simultaneously. For over 625,000 undocumented families living in California, living below the poverty line, this is their reality. Undocumented families' annual income being below $26,246 isn’t a result of not working enough hours or lack of effort.1 Instead, it’s a direct result of policies and systemic structures that create barriers for those who hold an immigration status. Due to these systemic barriers, they are restricted in their access to food, financial support, and general basic necessities.

 

Labor Exploitation through the Immigration Reform and Control Act 

Within the United States, there are about 8 million  undocumented workers, most working low-wage jobs within domestic labor, food service, agriculture, and construction. Due to the Immigration Reform and Control Act, it is illegal for employers to knowingly hire immigrant workers. In order for companies to hire immigrants, they don’t report their employees' citizenship status.2 During the Covid-19 pandemic, the United States needed nurses to serve in overcrowded hospitals due to the rapid increase of patients. Shiny Lal, an immigrant nurse from India, came to the United States in search for work that would provide financial stability for her family. After being employed by MedPro, to serve COVID-19 patients, she began working in a hospital in Kentucky. Despite working in a field where she is at constant risk for her life to save others, she was underpaid and had an abusive supervisor. When she tried to leave her job, she realized she had signed a “stay-or-pay" contract when hired, forcing her to pay for the cost of her training and the money the company could potentially lose if she left early. As a result, MedPro expected Lal to pay about $40,000 if she left, leaving her unable to pay for these expenses to leave her exploitive job.3 Similar to Lal, employers continue to exploit immigrant workers through harsh working conditions, no paid overtime , and low wages, knowing that immigrant workers won’t report such harsh treatment as they aren’t legally hired or bonded to unexplained contracts. Although there are legal protections in place to protect workers, regardless of immigration status, many don’t report mistreatment out of fear of revealing their immigration status to the federal government.2.5  In addition, the Immigration Reform and Control Act, hinders immigrants' ability to work in higher-paying jobs and advance in their job status within companies.  They are restricted from being hired by companies that grant immigrants such opportunities due to their lack of citizenship and the companies fear of facing legal consequences. Immigrants are ultimately denied the opportunity to escape poverty and make California’s average income of $50,300 a year.4 Thus, immigrant workers lack of employment opportunities only allows them to earn an income below the poverty, preventing them from affording basic necessities.

 

If Immigrants are facing food insecurity, can they apply to CalFresh?

Unlike many of those living in the United States, immigrants aren’t able to have access to food benefits, such as CalFresh. CalFresh is a supplement program that provides low- income families and individuals with monthly assistance in purchasing food, adding benefits to an Electronic Benefit Transfer card that can be used at grocery stores. When applying for CalFresh, the program considers the number of household members and income to address financial needs to the fullest extent possible. Despite being the largest food program in California, there are unfortunately limitations on who is eligible for such support.5 In order to receive CalFresh, Immigrants must have citizenship, a green card, refugee or asylum status. Having such restrictions excludes a large portion of the Immigrant population, such as those living in the United States with a student visa, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, and an undocumented status, from having access to food benefits.6 Despite qualifying for CalFresh benefits, many immigrants do not apply due to fear of the Public Charge Law.

 

The Fear of the Public Charge Law

The Public Charge Law allows for immigration officials to see if the person applying for a green card has received government assistance through Supplemental Security Income, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or other cash aid assistance. If the applicant has, they didn’t pass the public charge test, deeming them as likely having to rely on government assistance as their main financial support.7  Despite CalFresh not falling into this category, many immigrants don’t enroll in safety net programs out of fear that they will lose their green cards or never be able to receive one. Around 16% of immigrants are misguided by information believing that CalFresh benefits are taken into account, while 58% remain unsure if it does.8 Due to a lack of information or misinformation about how CalFresh applies to the Public Charge Law, Immigrants who are eligible to apply often lack access to food as a result. Whereas those who don't qualify are completely denied the benefits of monthly support to purchase groceries.

 

Immigrants living in the United States, despite living in poverty, are denied the opportunity to obtain financial security and proper meals. Immigrants experiencing poverty is a direct outcome of systemic barriers, such as restrictions on qualification for government support and job opportunities. Policies implemented by the government, such as the Immigration Reform and Control Act and the Public Charge Law, actively prevent immigrants from having access to government support programs and achieving a sustainable income. Instead, they are subjected to work for low wages, experience extensive hours of work, and harsh working environments as a means of paying for basic necessities. Despite immigrants struggling to afford essential expenses, they don’t qualify for government support due to their citizenship status. If they or their children do qualify, they remain scared of applying out of fear that accepting aid can jeopardize their green card status. Thus, the government is actively contributing to financial and food disparities amongst immigrant and their families through its policies and eligibility qualifications. 

References

1. Food4All. Food Insecurity Among Undocumented Immigrants in California & Exclusion From Nutrition Assistance Program: Among California’s Undocumented Immigrants, More Than Two In Five are Affected by Food Insecurity. Nourish California. Published August 25, 2025. Accessed September 11, 2025. https://nourishca.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Food4All-FoodInsecurityBrief-April2022.pdf

2. Quijano J. Workplace Discrimination and Undocumented First-Generation Latinx Immigrants. Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice. Published 2023. https://crownschool.uchicago.edu/student-life/advocates-forum/workplace-discrimination-and-undocumented-first-generation-latinx

3. Dempsey R. How “Stay-or-Pay” Contracts Are Used to Abuse Immigrant Workers | ACLU. American Civil Liberties Union. Published January 13, 2025. https://www.aclu.org/news/womens-rights/how-stay-or-pay-contracts-are-used-to-abuse-immigrant-workers

4. Median Household Income By State 2025. Datapandas.org. Published May 24, 2025. https://www.datapandas.org/ranking/median-household-income-by-state

5. Clinical Decision Support System. CalFresh. cdss.ca.gov. https://cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/calfresh

6. GetCalFresh. Immigrant guide. www.getcalfresh.org. Published July 2, 2025. https://www.getcalfresh.org/en/immigrants

7. Ashbrook A. Decreases in eligible immigrants’ SNAP participation show there’s more work to be done. Food Research & Action Center. Published January 16, 2023. https://frac.org/blog/snap-eligible-immigrant-families-part-one

8. Cifuentes V. As Chilling Effects of the Public Charge Rule Linger, How Can Health Systems Support Immigrant Families and Increase Their Access to Essential Services? | PolicyLab. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia PolicyLab. Published September 26, 2024. https://policylab.chop.edu/blog/chilling-effects-public-charge-rule-linger-how-can-health-systems-support-immigrant-families

9. The Hidden Migrant Workforce: Comparing the Canadian and U.S. Temporary Foreign Worker Visa Programs. The ILR School | Cornell University. https://www.ilr.cornell.edu/mobilizing-against-inequality/post/hidden-migrant-workforce-comparing-canadian-and-us-temporary-foreign-worker-visa-programs

10. How NAFTA got Mexicans hooked on U.S. junk food. Dallas News. Published May 1, 2017. https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2017/05/01/how-nafta-got-mexicans-hooked-on-u-s-junk-food/

Decoding your Award Letter

Are you a FAFSA recipient? Does it make any sense? Are you feeling lost and confused? Do you know your three W’s to guidance? Do you know who, what, and where you can seek financial aid assistance? Don’t worry because we have got you covered!

 

Hey Gators! Your financial aid letter has arrived! Now, before you panic and ask yourself what all the acronyms, numbers, and sections mean, take a mental breather, and remind yourself to remain calm and that you have the resources for clarity and guidance! Your Financial Aid Letter is like a puzzle. Different pieces, and when they're all scrambled up they make no sense! As we decode the letter, piece by piece, it will become easier to understand and comprehend your financial aid package! 

 

In this article we will go over the award letter sections, how to differentiate between a grant and a loan, what types of loans there are, which ones you DO PAY BACK and which ones you DO NOT. We'll also cover additional resources for assistance!

 

Let's begin by breaking down the sections that are included in your award letter, what they mean, and clarify any misunderstandings.

 

Estimated Cost Of Attendance (COA):

This section is an estimate created to help you plan for your academic year, and navigate what expenses you may have, which vary by student! This section will typically include your tuition, as well as indirect expenses, such as personal expenses or transportation. If you're living on campus, this section will include housing fees, and a meal plan. Your actual cost of attendance can be lower or higher, depending on lifestyle, transportation, or routines. Budgeting and keeping track of where you allocate your funds can help you keep your expenses to a minimum!

 

Financial Aid - Gift Aid:

The funds under this section are the funds that are gifted to you, and you DO NOT have to repay. This section will typically include grants, which are funds that are provided by the government that should be used for educational purposes, or towards additional institutional expenses. This section may also include scholarships, which can be state or college specific awards. 

For example, if you are in programs such as EOP, you may receive additional grant funds to help out with your educational expenses.

 

Financial Aid- Loans:

Now, moving onto the part that confuses us the most, LOANSSS! The funds under this section MUST be repaid. These are funds allocated for you, to support your educational journey and expenses, that you are unable to cover with your gift aid, scholarships, or other financial resources.1

 It is highly encouraged to explore other financial resources, like scholarships, and work-study, before you decide to accept loans. You are allowed to accept or decline your loan amounts. Additionally, you are allowed to choose the loan amount you are comfortable with accepting. You are also allowed to request your unaccepted loans at a later time. 

When it comes to repaying loans, there are different repayment options. Typically, the most common repayment option is that you are required to begin repaying your loans, six months after you graduate or, if you drop below half-time enrollment. You can visit the Federal Student Aid website for more details!2

 

 

                                                            

Subsidized Loans:

Unsubsidized Loans:
⚬ Only available to undergraduate students ⚬ Are available to both undergraduate & graduate students
⚬ Are based on financial need  ⚬ No financial need is required 
⚬ The interest does NOT accrue (increase) until leaving school ⚬ The interest accrues from time of disbursement
⚬ Lower loan limits ⚬ Government doesn’t cover the interest
⚬ The government covers the interest while the student is enrolled  ⚬ Has higher loan limits 

 

 

Work Study Offer:

To receive this award, you must be hired into a federal work study position, and the funds under this section are earned through the amount of hours you work and the rate! To add, not everyone qualifies for work-study, as eligibility is established based on financial need. (This section may vary by student) 3

 

Now that we have gone over the sections of your award letter, if there is still anything you feel like you are stuck on, confused about, or have pending questions on, do not worry as we have a team here on campus that are more than happy to help and support you!

 

The Financial Aid Office is located on the first floor of the Student Services Building. The office of student financial aid hosts Zoom info sessions every other Friday, “Fin Aid Fridays”. 4  These sessions cover several and different financial aid literacy and information. Whether it be paying for on campus housing, receiving assistance, or guidance with applying to scholarships, or a general walkthrough, these info sessions are created to help students with any concerns, or struggles they may have, as well as guidance and assistance, AND if you cannot make it to the info sessions, they have recorded meetings for you to look & go through, and you never know, these recorded info sessions can answer the questions you have! 

 

Financial Aid Office Hours:

Monday -Thursday | 9:00am-5:00pm

Friday | 10:00am-5:00pm

 

 

References:

  1. Federal Student Aid. Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans. U.S Department of Education    https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans/subsidized-unsubsidized 
  2. Federal Student Aid https://studentaid.gov/ 
  3. 8 Things You Should Know About Federal Work-Study https://studentaid.gov/articles/8-things-federal-work-study/#:~:text=Several%20factors%20can%20affect%20whether,%2C%20transportation%2C%20and%20school%20supplies  
  4. San Francisco State University Financial Aid. Fin Aid Fridays. https://financialaid.sfsu.edu/fin-aid-fridays

 

 

Urban Farming in the Bay: How Community Gardens Are Feeding Neighborhoods

Between tuition, rent, and everything else, a regular grocery run for fresh fruit can feel like a luxury. The crippling cost of living divides our attention and budgets, forcing tough choices between academic necessities and nutritional ones. This is what food insecurity feels like and it’s a common struggle for so many of us. But what if the solution to this urban problem wasn't found in a store, but in the soil? Across San Francisco, a network of community gardens and urban farms is offering a different equation, one where investing a few hours of time yields a harvest of fresh, free food and a stronger, more resilient community.

 

 

Community gardens and urban farms are like nature pantries that grow hope alongside kale and tomatoes. They allow people to take control over their food security and develop communal ties. This isn't a distant concept, it’s happening at places like Alemany Farm, a 3.5 acre organic farm whose whole mission is to serve as a venue for "community building, education, and inspiration."1 Many of these gardens donate a significant portion of their produce to local food banks and shelters, while also ensuring that anyone who volunteers their time to help maintain the space has direct access to an array of harvested produce. It’s a place where you can volunteer and get your hands in the soil, leaving with fresh, free, healthy food for the week.

 

 

The best part is that not only are you able to combat food insecurity, but you’re also able to get involved in the community by learning to harvest your own produce. Many studies show that getting involved in community gardening is associated with better access to fresh food and improved mental well being.2 It’s a chance to disconnect from the stress of exams, get some vitamin D, and find a little quiet for your brain, all while doing something tangible to take control of your situation.

 

On average, college students pay anywhere from $100 to $300 per month on groceries trips. Becoming involved with local urban gardens can relieve a significant amount and support an organic, healthy diet. Resources like the Bay Area Urban Agriculture Map exist to make these places easy to find, connecting you directly to the "urban food producers"3 in your neighborhood. Ultimately, community gardens provide a vital opportunity to foster meaningful social connections, build mutual support through shared challenges, and promote financial stability.

 

 

Community Gardens by Bay Area County

 

San Francisco

● Alemany Farm, 700 Alemany Blvd, San Francisco, CA

● Garden for the Environment, 1590 7th Avenue, San Francisco, CA

 

Alameda

● Planting Justice Nursery, 319 105th Avenue, Oakland, CA

● City Slicker Farms, 2847 Peralta St, Oakland, CA

 

San Mateo

● Pacifica Gardens, Address: 830 Rosita Road, P.O. Box 883, Pacifica, CA

● Harvest Garden, Address: 660 Fairway Circle, Hillsborough, CA

 

Santa Clara

● Palo Alto Demonstration Garden, 851 Center Dr., Palo Alto, CA

● Faithful Farm, 4900 Marie P. DeBartolo Way, Santa Clara, CA

 

Marin

● The Wooly Egg Ranch, 503 Tennessee Valley Rd, Mill Valley, CA

● Indian Valley Organic Farm & Garden, 1800 Ignacio Blvd, Novato, CA

 

 

References

1. Feed America. Cultivating food security: the power of community gardens. Feed Am. Published 2023. https://www.feedam.org/blog-posts/cultivating-food-security-the-power-o…

2. Central Coast Farms. Bay Area urban ag map. Cent Coast Farms. Published 2023. https://www.centralcoastfarms.org/projects/bay-area-urban-ag-map 3. Alemany Farm. About us. Alemany Farm. Published 2023. https://alemanyfarm.org/

4. University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. What is urban agriculture? UC ANR. Published 2022. https://ucanr.edu/site/urban-agriculture/what-urban-agriculture

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