Informed guidance for landlords, property managers, and real estate professionals.

It seems that lawmakers and regulators got together to protect the rights of tenants, but no concerted effort was made to protect good landlords from bad tenants. That's the domain of Bornstein Law, a boutique law firm specializing in advocating for the rights of owners in landlord-tenant disputes and complex real estate litigation.

 

CONSULTATION
 
 

Meet the firm built for rental property owners

Daniel Bornstein, Esq.

Kathryn Quetel, Esq.

Daniel Cheung, Esq.

Liana Ayrapetyan, Esq.

Dylan Tong, Esq.

 

Are you prepared for statewide rent caps and eviction controls?

Our founding attorney breaks down AB-1482 in an easily digestible fashion and offers some strategies to avoid pitfalls and future proof your business.

Watch the recorded webinar →
More in-depth info →

ONGOING EDUCATION TO THE RENTAL PROPERTY
INDUSTRY IS OUR PRIORITY

 

Landlording in a new regulatory regime can be tricky. Our foremost goal is to empower you with the know-how and tools you and your clients need to stay compliant with the law and optimize investment properties.

IN THE MEDIA
Orinda Airbnb shooting

In the aftermath of the horrific "Airbnb Mansion Party" in Orinda, Daniel Bornstein was asked to provide some takeaways. He chimes in on the risks to short-term rental hosts and questions whether peer-to-peer websites are good citizens.

› Get some background and our takes in the San Francisco Chronicle

DOWNLOADS
Security deposit deduction guide

Disputes over security deposits are among the most common reasons landlords are dragged into Small Claims Court. We've prepared a guide that distinguishes "normal wear and tear" from more serious damages that can be legally deducted from the security deposit.

› Access the PDF cheat sheet

WEBINAR RECORDING
SF's Community Opportunity to Purchase Act

San Francisco's Community Opportunity to Purchase Act gives qualified nonprofits the first chance to scoop up multifamily properties for sale and match or best offers from private buyers.

› Get dialed into COPA

 

LEGAL UPDATES
Oakland bans background checks

We have always maintained that the law, technology, and a culture of amnesty have concealed rental risks. Oakland takes it a step further, bans criminal background checks in tenant screening, though some exceptions apply.

› We provide some context here

 

LOOKING AHEAD
Agenda for tenant protections in 2020

Rest assured that tenants' advocates are not complacent with statewide rent caps and rent controls, a measure that was signed into law with many compromises. So what's on their agenda next? We take a look at what they are cooking up.

› What's on tap

 

 

IN DEPTH
Handling Tenant Hoarding

Hoarding is a vexing problem for landlords and property managers. This challenging subject should be addressed with compassion and a sound understanding of the law.

› Get educated

New HUD guidelines on assistance animals
The agency has finally called out dubious websites that certify the need for an emotional support animal without review of a medical professional hello
Read on →

The war being waged against vacant property owners
Caught in the crosshairs of an affordable housing dearth and a homeless epidemic, vacant property owners have essentially been told to use their underutilized real estate for the public good. If it goes vacant, there is hell to pay.
Read on →

Airbnb Halloween Massacre Raises Scary Legal Issues
As the short-term rental platform plays damage Control, we admonish owners to use caution before renting out their home to someone they don't know from a hole in the head.
Read on →

What landlords should know amid the immigration debate
With California hunkering down as the capital of democratic resistance in the Trump era, the state has enacted several protections for tenants who are immigrants.
Read on →

Handling tenancies and unwanted occupants when the landlord passes
Winding down the earthly affairs of a departed loved one is a daunting task, and the pain of losing someone is often exasperated by the financial and legal complications that death brings, but when unwanted occupants linger, this process is all the more harrowing.
Read on →

VIEW ALL

NEWSROOM
We raise the voice of rental housing providers

Although the political rhetoric nowadays falls squarely on the side of tenants, Bornstein Law offers a fresh perspective through the lens of underrepresented property owners. Numerous media outlets have called upon us to articulate your case.

 

IN THE MEDIA

 

 

Please don't kick the can down the road.

From our experience, many landlords are conflict avoiders. If you do not proactively get ahead of a problematic relationship, you can potentially be out of months of rent. Don't let the situation enlarge - call us today.

415-409-7611

 

 

 

San Francisco's Community Opportunity to Purchase Act (COPA)

If you or a client is looking to buy or sell a multi-unit building, be aware that qualified nonprofits must be the first to come to the table and given deference when matching offers from private buyers. Bornstein Law can guide you through a new regulatory regime when buildings with 3 or more units go on the market.

Get a 360-degree view here →
Listen to our audio recording of a seminar →
Download presentation slides on COPA →
Video: Webinar on COPA →
Quoted in the media: Our thoughts on COPA →

The leaders in Tenant Surrender of Possession Agreements, known more popularly as tenant buyouts or "cash for keys."

As its name implies, a tenant buyout is simply an agreement for the tenant to vacate the unit, in exchange for compensation, rent waiver, or both. Yet these voluntarily arrangements are anything but simple.

Buyout agreements in-depth →

 
 

IN-DEPTH
AIRBNB & SHORT-TERM RENTALS

Ever since Airbnb was born on our home soil of San Francisco, Bornstein Law has been pioneers in the modern day iteration of the temporary flop. As we predicted, the law has caught up with technology, but risk is abound and it's unclear whether peer-to-peer websites are good citizens.After five young lives were tragically lost in an "Airbnb Mansion Party" Halloween night, we revisit this topic.

Read our in-depth blog →

 
 

 

Timely legal updates delivered to your inbox

Thousands of owners, property managers and real estate professionals count on our email updates to filter through the noise and get relevant news and insights that impact their real estate business.

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Events for savvy rental property owners and real estate professionals

Daniel is renowned for giving talks to numerous organizations and hosting events on the legal challenges facing rental housing providers and the professionals who serve them. Attend an upcoming event, or reach out for a private get together with your team.

More on these barnburner events →

 

IN FOCUS: OAKLAND

As proud East Bay residents, we have been elated to witness Oakland's growth and emergence as a formidable city in the Bay Area. In the same breath, we have been alarmed that the needle of progress is moving in the wrong direction with more stringent rent control measures, most recently the nixing of rent control exemptions for owner-occupied duplexes and triplexes.

Oakland Rent Regulation Reference Sheet »

Oakland Eviction Control Reference Sheet »

Oakland Owner Move-In Eviction Reference Sheet »

Oakland Eviction Process »

 
 
 

Mr. Bornstein helped me with a difficult tenant situation recently and was thoroughly forthright and effective. As an added plus, he seemed extremely scrupulous about avoiding needless "billable hours." I am elated at having been referred to him.

 

More reviews →

 
 
 

 

Offices in San Francisco and the East Bay

507 Polk St.
Suite 310
San Francisco, CA 94102

482 W MacArthur Blvd,
Oakland, CA 94609

CALL FOR INFORMED ADVICE
(415) 409-7611

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