Section 37.10B of the Rent Ordinance prohibits 16 categories of landlord harassment including utility shutoffs, threats, false eviction notices, and abusing buyout offers. Tenants may sue for treble damages and statutory penalties up to $1,000 per offense.
Enacted in 2008 and broadened in 2015 and 2018, Administrative Code Section 37.10B itemizes prohibited landlord conduct: interrupting essential services, refusing rent payments to manufacture default, threatening eviction without basis, abusing access rights, removing personal property, harassing tenants who have made habitability complaints, retaliating for organizing, and aggressive buyout solicitation. Tenants may sue in Superior Court for actual damages, statutory damages of three times one month's rent, attorney's fees, and injunctive relief. The Rent Board investigates complaints, posts violators in its public registry, and refers serious cases to the District Attorney for misdemeanor prosecution.
Violations carry treble actual damages, statutory penalties of $1,000 per offense, attorney's fees, and possible misdemeanor prosecution under Section 37.10B(c).
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