Tenant Harassment Lawyers Berkeley

With an average rental value of over $3,000, Berkeley boasts one of the nation’s fast-growing housing markets. Home prices hit record levels this year, leaving many landlords eager to cash in on their San Francisco, Napa, Oakland, Berkeley, and San Jose properties. This often translates to pressuring tenants to abandon their leases or accept buyout offers. Unfortunately, landlords who can’t convince their tenants – especially tenants in rent-controlled units – to vacate the premises often resort to unlawfully harassing occupants.

Tenant harassment takes many forms and may entitle Berkeley claimants to special damages and eviction protections. Discuss your case with the dedicated tenant harassment lawyers in Berkeley at Wolford Wayne LLP by calling (415) 649-6203 or connecting with us online.

Examples of Unlawful Tenant Harassment in California

Both state and local laws prevent landlords from engaging in bad faith harassment. For example, Cal. Civ. Code § 1940.2 makes it illegal for landlords – either directly or through their agents – to engage in the following conduct for the purpose of pressuring tenants to vacate their units:

• Stealing or fraudulently taking personal property in violation of Cal. Pen. Code § 484.
• Intentionally and unlawfully entering the tenant’s property.
• Extortion under Cal. Pen. Code § 518.
• Engaging in threatening or menacing conduct interfering with a lawful occupant’s right to enjoy her property.
• Threatening to report the tenant or the tenant’s friends/loved ones to immigration authorities or disclose immigration status.

Berkeley cities such as San Francisco (§ 37.10B) prohibit similar conduct and provide specific remedies with local rent boards and law enforcement agencies. For example, San Francisco prohibits landlords from turning off utilities, refusing to make repairs, or otherwise interfering with the tenant’s rights in bad faith. Our dedicated Berkeley tenants harassment lawyers might help claimants recover damages under tenants’ rights laws.

Remedying Tenant Harassment & Unlawful Constructive Evictions in Berkeley

Under California law, wrongfully harassed Berkeley tenants may recover up to $2,000 for each violation in small claims court. They might also obtain additional damages for underlying tortious and criminal conduct, such as assault, extortion, theft, or discrimination. Many tenant harassment cases also involve further criminal or civil legal violations. Certain cities, such as San Francisco, provide additional remedies to wrongfully harassed renters. For example, S.F. tenants might recover three times their actual financial losses, punitive damages, and attorneys’ fees for unlawful landlord harassment. Experienced Berkeley tenant rights lawyers might also use harassing conduct to defend against unlawful eviction actions, obtain rent reductions, and prevent future harassing conduct through injunctions.

Prevent Berkeley Landlord Harassment with the Renter’s Rights Attorneys at Wolford Wayne LLP

Landlords have become increasingly creative in their attempts to force Berkeley tenants to terminate their leases or accept buyouts. Refusing to cash rent checks, delaying standard maintenance, and causing increasing discomfort are common tactics. If you’ve been subject to landlord retaliation for refusing to accept buyouts, threatening conduct, or traditional harassment by landlords or their agents, you might recover substantial compensation and attorneys’ fees. Confidentially discuss your claims with Berkeley tenant harassment lawyers at Wolford Wayne LLP by calling (415) 649-6203 or connecting with us online.