SF Supervisor Myrna Melgar introduced a bill co-sponsored by Supervisor Jackie Fielder that would tighten San Francisco\u2019s definition of a \u201cnuisance\u201d tenant, limiting landlords\u2019 ability to use nuisance claims to pursue evictions.<\/p>\n
Supervisor Myrna Melgar announced the legislation Monday, explaining that the changes are intended to prevent landlords from abusing the city\u2019s nuisance rules to target tenants, as Mission Local reports<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI am introducing this legislation to tighten up the definition of nuisance, so people can\u2019t scam it,\u201d Melgar said.<\/p>\n The legislation, which Melgar planned to introduce Tuesday, would require a nuisance offense to be serious, such as illegally subletting or transferring a unit, seriously damaging a property, allowing others to damage it, or using the property for an illegal purpose. According to Mission Local, it would also require conduct to either be severe, or both recurring and continuing, rather than allowing any one of those factors to qualify under the current law.<\/p>\n Melgar said the bill was inspired in part by six seniors at 1120 Jackson Street in Chinatown who received nuisance eviction notices over allegations that they had dangerously cluttered their apartments with too many belongings.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I read about Sue Yeng, I cried in the office,\u201d Melgar said.<\/p>\n Per Mission Local, other tenants have faced nuisance eviction attempts over allegations including stealing a neighbor\u2019s package, using appliances in an in-law unit, or cooking late at night. Under Melgar\u2019s proposal, the city\u2019s definition of nuisance would also be changed so that conduct must be \u201cso disorderly as to destroy the peace and quiet of other occupants,\u201d removing the current reference to interference with the landlord\u2019s comfort, safety, or enjoyment.<\/p>\n The legislation would also prevent landlords from pursuing an eviction over property damage if they have already accepted payment for the damage.<\/p>\n