TENANT LAWYERS
AGGRESSIVE. DEDICATED. PROVEN RESULTS.
Wrongful Eviction
Elke & Merchant LLP are experienced wrongful eviction lawyers dedicated to protecting tenant rights throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.
Failure to Repair
All tenants have the basic right to live in a safe and habitable home. If your landlord refuses to make necessary repairs, you have rights.
Landlord Harassment
It is illegal under both state and local law for a landlord to harass you or discriminate against you as a tenant.
Tenant Lawyers
San Francisco Tenant Lawyers Who Will Fight For You
Elke & Merchant LLP are experienced tenant lawyers dedicated to protecting tenant rights throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. We represent tenants in all types of actions against landlords, including eviction defense, Rent Board petitions, and affirmative lawsuits related to wrongful eviction, harassment, and habitability issues.
Tom Elke and Alex Merchant have helped clients secure millions of dollars and tried over twenty-five jury trials to verdict.
We only represent tenants. Never landlords.
Tenant News
Governor Newsom Provides Limited Statewide Postponement of Some Evictions for Nonpayment Related to COVID-19
On March 27th, Governor Newsom issued a statewide Order related to evictions. Although this Order has been described as a moratorium on evictions, it is not. The Order only applies to evictions for non-payment of rent, and even then only applies if the tenant meets certain strict requirement. For this limited set of evictions, the Order does two things: (1) The Order prohibits the enforcement of any writ to evict the tenant on or before May 31, 2020; and (2) The Order extends by 60 days the time for the tenant to file a responsive pleading (answer, demurrer, or motion… CONTINUE
Read MoreSan Francisco Superior Court Stops Almost All Eviction Cases for 90 Days
On March 24, the San Francisco Superior Court issued an Order halting almost all eviction trials for 90 days, until June 19, 2020. The sole exception is unlawful detainer cases resulting from violence, threats of violence, or health and safety issues. The Order states: All actions in unlawful detainer cases, including trials, motions, discovery, and ex parte applications, with the exception of unlawful detainer cases resulting from violence, threats of violence, or health and safety issues, are stayed for 90 days, until June 19, 2020. Parties in all matters that are not stayed may appear by telephone. Telephone appearances must… CONTINUE
Read MoreSan Francisco Mayor Amends Eviction Moratorium
On March 23, 2020, San Francisco Mayor London Breed amended the March 13 Order placing a moratorium on evictions for non-payment related to COVID-19. The amendment modifies the procedures for protecting a tenant from an eviction for non-payment of rent. Importantly, the amendment also places a moratorium on all attempts to recover possession of rental units if the effective date of the notice of termination of tenancy falls within 60 days after the date the Order expires, except where the landlord is endeavoring to recover possession due to violence, threats of violence, or health and safety issues. The new amendment… CONTINUE
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