
Failure to Repair Attorneys in San Francisco
Your landlord is required to keep your unit in habitable condition and to comply with all state and local health and safety codes. Part of this responsibility is to make timely and appropriate repairs. Sometimes, landlords intentionally neglect to perform these repairs, hoping that tenants in rent-controlled apartments will leave. This is a form of landlord harassment, and you do not have to put up with it.
At Tenant Law Group, our San Francisco tenant lawyers have handled many failure to repair cases in the Bay Area, and we can put that experience to work for you. We are here to advocate for you and to help protect renters from corrupt landlords.
Should I File a Failure to Repair Lawsuit?
Many tenants are unsure of what to do when their landlord fails to maintain their unit. While the California Civil Code and local rent ordinances offer protections for renters, they can be hard to parse without professional help.
However, you do have legal options, and you should not feel afraid to exercise your legal rights. Additionally, there are laws in California protecting tenants from retaliation or eviction after filing a repair request.

How Can I Make My Landlord Complete Repairs?
- A written request
- Repairing yourself and deducting the cost from the rent
- Contacting the code enforcement agency related to your issue
- Working with the local rent board
- Withholding rent until repairs are made
- Vacating the apartment
- Filing a lawsuit

Call Us for Professional Tenant Advocacy
At Tenant Law Group, we believe everyone deserves to feel safe and comfortable in their home.
For a unit to be considered safe and habitable, it must have:
Hot and cold water,
Adequate heating,
Plumbing,
Gas,
Electricity
It must also have appropriate and effective weather and waterproofing, be free of rodents and pests, and the property must be in good repair, including stairways and railings. If your landlord is not making necessary repairs promptly, or if your landlord is withholding repairs in the attempt to force you out of a rent-controlled apartment, we can help. Our team has extensive experience and a passion for helping renters and tenants. Call today.