SF Apartment Magazine October 2024

SF APARTMENT

LEARNED FROM LOMA PRIETA

Nob Hill

Dolores Heights

Alamo

PAM MCELROY

BUSH

magazine

SF APARTMENT

VOLUME XXXV, NUMBER 10 OCTOBER 2024

San Francisco Apartment

Association Office

265 Ivy Street

San Francisco, CA 94102

Tel 415-255-2288 Fax 415-255-1112

Email memberquestions@sfaa.org Web www.sfaa.org

SFAA Staff

Executive Director Janan New

Deputy Director Vanessa Khaleel

Education Specialist Stephanie Alonzo

Government and Community Affairs Charley Goss

Marketing Lara Kisich

Member Services Gershay Castaneda

Member Services Maria Shea

Accountant Crystal Wang

SFAA Officers

President J.J. Panzer

Vice President Robert Link

Treasurer Chris Bricker

SFAA Directors

Eric Andresen, Oz Erickson, Craig Greenwood, Neveo Mosser, Bert Polacci, James Sangiacomo, Kent Mar, Dave Wasserman, Paul Gaetani

Published by

San Francisco Apartment Association

Publisher Vanessa Khaleel

Editor Pam McElroy

Art Director Jéna Safai

Production Manager Stephanie Alonzo

Tel 415-255-2288

Web www.sfaa.org

SF Apartment Magazine (ISSN 1539-8161) Periodicals Postage Paid at San Francisco, California and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the SF APARTMENT MAGAZINE, 265 Ivy Street, San Francisco, CA 94102.

The SF Apartment Magazine is published monthly for $84 per year by the San Francisco Apartment Association (SFAA), 265 Ivy Street, San Francisco, CA 94102. The SF Apartment Magazine is not responsible for the return or loss of submissions or artwork. The magazine does not consider unsolicited articles. The opinions expressed in any signed article in the SF Apartment Magazine are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of the SFAA or SF Apartment Magazine. This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If legal service or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent person should be sought. Acceptance of an advertisement by this magazine does not necessarily constitute any endorsement or recommendation by the SFAA, express or implied, of the advertiser or any goods or services offered. Published monthly, the SF Apartment Magazine is distributed to the entire membership of the SFAA. The contents of this magazine may not be reproduced without permission. Publisher disclaims any liability for published articles. Printed by Printing Partners Copyright @2024 by SFAA.

No on Prop 33 Proposition 33 threatens California’s rental

market stability, reducing housing quality and availability statewide.

Vote NO on Proposition 33: Justice for Renters Act

Proposition 33 aims to repeal 1995’s Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act, the state’s most important rental housing protection law. Costa-Hawkins exempts specific properties, such as single-family homes and new construction, from local rent control, and safeguards vacancy decontrol, allowing landlords to adjust rents to market rates after a tenant moves out and a new renter moves in.

Without Costa-Hawkins, cities and counties could implement vacancy controls, keeping rents below market in perpetuity—a form of extreme rent control seen in cities such as Santa Monica and Berkeley during the 1970s and 1980s. These controls led to a significant reduction in the availability and quality of rental housing and deterred new housing investment.

Economists and housing experts from Stanford and UC Berkeley warn that Proposition 33 would worsen

California’s housing crisis by hindering new affordable housing construction and overturning state laws mandating more affordable housing. Additionally, Proposition 33 would remove protections for homeowners, allowing regulators to control rental prices for single-family homes and accessory dwelling units.

If passed, Proposition 33 would expand rent control to currently exempt properties, increase pressure to implement rent control in more cities, reintroduce vacancy control, and cause significant market instability. Such changes would decrease property values, deter new housing development, and exacerbate California’s housing crisis by reducing the quality and availability of rental housing.

CAA’s campaign committee opposing Proposition 33, Californians for Responsible Housing, is working to educate voters on the negative consequences of repealing Costa-Hawkins. The campaign stresses that Prop 33

fails to address the root causes of the housing crisis, such as the need for increased funding for affordable housing and new housing construction.

In summary, here’s what the passage of Proposition 33 would mean for California rental housing providers:

Repeal of Costa-Hawkins: Proposition 33 would repeal the CostaHawkins Rental Housing Act, removing exemptions for single-family homes and new construction from rent control.

Implementation of Vacancy Controls: Cities and counties could implement vacancy controls, preventing landlords from adjusting rents to market rates after a tenant vacates.

Expansion of Rent Control: Rent control could be imposed on properties currently exempt, including new homes and single-family rentals.

Discouragement of New Housing Development: The measure would likely discourage investment in new housing projects due to increased regulatory constraints.

Market Instability: Reintroducing vacancy control and expanding rent control could lead to significant market instability, reducing property values.

Decreased Quality and Availability:

The overall quality and availability of rental housing in California could decline, exacerbating the ongoing housing crisis.

Increased Pressure for Rent Control: Passage of Proposition 33 would increase pressure on cities and counties to adopt more stringent rent control measures.

SFAA TROPHY AWARDS—SAVE THE

DATE!

Mark October 24, 2024, on your calendar for this year’s big event. The awards show will take place at the St. Regis Hotel in San Francisco.

The Trophy Awards honors the firms, employees, and properties leading San Francisco’s Rental Housing Community. Purchase tickets at sfaa.org/events. See pages 54, 55, and 60 for more information, including sponsorship details. You can also email Vanessa Khaleel at vanessa@sfaa.org.

And remember: It’s crucial to keep an eye on your superstar employees, recognizing their hard work and dedication. These outstanding individuals are the backbone of your success, driving innovation, productivity, and morale within your team. Don’t let their exceptional contributions go unnoticed—take the time to nominate them for a Trophy Award.

You can also nominate yourself— no need to be modest! Send nominations to Stephanie Alonzo at stephanie@sfaa.org.

For more information, turn to pages 54 and 55.

For more information on the upcoming election and ways to help defeat Prop 33 and save Costa-Hawkins, visit the Californians for Responsible Housing website: californiansforresponsiblehousing.org

Vote YES on Proposition 34: Protect Patients Now Act

Proposition 34, the Protect Patients Now Act, addresses a critical issue within California’s healthcare system by ensuring that taxpayer dollars intended for patient care are used appropriately. The measure closes a loophole that has allowed some organizations to divert funds from a federal discount prescription drug program to unrelated activities like music festivals, luxury real estate investments, and political campaigns.

The Aids Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is among those whose funding could be affected by Proposition 34 due to its track record of using these funds for nonhealthcare purposes. Passing Proposition 34 would require that 98% of revenues from such taxpayer-funded programs go directly to patient care, not to political projects or other unrelated endeavors.

Proposition 34 facts

Voting yes on Prop 34 will drastically cut prescription drug costs by permanently authorizing the State of California to negotiate lower Medi-Cal prescription drug prices.

Prop 34 stands to save taxpayers millions of dollars every year by requiring the greediest healthcare corporations to spend at least 98% of the taxpayer funds they receive through the drug discount program in California on directly treating patients.

Voting yes on Prop 34 will stop drug pricing scams that cheat taxpayers and divert millions intended for patients. This initiative requires tax dollars to be spent on patients and puts scammers out of business in California.

For more information, go to yesonprop34.com

Improved 311 App

San Francisco has updated its 311 mobile app to support multiple languages, enhancing accessibility for non-English speakers. The app now includes Chinese, Spanish, and Filipino, in addition to English, reflecting the city’s most commonly spoken languages.

This update, a year in the making, allows the app to automatically detect the user’s phone language. Residents can submit service requests, such as street cleaning or graffiti removal, upload photos, and track progress directly within the app. Previously, non-English speakers could only submit requests via phone in one of 160 languages, but now they can do so in their preferred language through the app.

With nearly 72% of the 68,000 monthly service requests submitted via the app, officials hope this update will increase participation from San Francisco’s diverse communities. The updated app is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Note: 311 is the customer service center for San Francisco, available 365 days a year for residents, visitors, and businesses seeking information or City services. Reach SF311 over the phone in over 160 languages, online, the mobile app, or on Twitter/X.

New Interim Fire Chief Sandra Tong

Let’s welcome Sandra Tong to her new role as the San Francisco Fire Department’s Interim Fire Chief.

In her various supervisory roles, Chief Tong developed numerous relationships, procedures, and guidelines to clarify roles and assist in the performance of duties by EMS responders and dispatchers. The extensive experience she gained in the field, 9-1-1 dispatch, and ambulance administration in San Francisco has uniquely prepared her to serve as Assistant Deputy Chief of EMS, then Deputy Chief of EMS and Community Paramedicine for the San Francisco Fire Department.

Chief Tong values and appreciates the dedication of all providers doing the difficult and challenging work of first responders, EMTs, and paramedics. Her goals are to ensure all fire department divisions operate effectively to educate the members with training and feedback, to strengthen our capacity to respond and be resilient to disasters, to prioritize member wellness and safety, and to meet the emerging challenges of an expanding and evolving fire department.

“I am humbled by this interim appointment, and I would like to thank Mayor Breed for this opportunity. I have the utmost faith in the current command staff and the members of this department

Over the Top

written by VARIOUS AUTHORS

Navigating San Francisco’s tough roof deck regulations: challenges and creative solutions for stunning rooftop views.

With 2024 Fleet Week just behind us, when we all turned our heads to the sky, looking for the best view, I bet many of us thought how great it would be to have a roof deck.

As an architect, I get many calls this time of year from clients who want to build that epic roof deck with panoramic views. No doubt, roof decks can be a sexy feature for any property. The challenge is that they are reviled by the local Planning Department and are very difficult to get approved.

Roof deck projects face a few significant hurdles in San Francisco.

Hurdles

Under the building and fire codes, a roof deck is considered another story on a building. Even though a roof deck is not enclosed with walls and a roof, it still gets treated like a vertical addition to a building.

So, buildings of one or two stories are usually the easiest to add on to, but buildings with three or more stories are much more complicated. Anything above three stories requires full building sprinklers and increased fire ratings of walls, floors, and ceilings. Sometimes, adding another set of stairs to the roof can be required. Existing fire escapes often can’t be used as the second exit, which would trigger extending stairs to the roof.

Getting new stairs to the roof is a big challenge. Due to neighbor complaints about noise, privacy concerns, light pollution, and shadows, the Planning Department will no longer allow stair penthouse shacks (aka doghouses) to extend above the roof. Instead, Planning requires the installation of a large skylight at the top of the stairs. This makes ingress and egress to the deck much less desirable and even deters people from using it.. These large skylights are also difficult to find from local vendors. For a recent project, we had to go all the way to Philadelphia to find a supplier.

Another setback is that San Francisco building code limits the size of roof decks to 500 square feet, unless the entire roof assembly is fire rated. A client recently asked me if they could bypass this rule by building multiple 500-square-foot roof decks—the answer is no. The maximum total for all combined roof decks is 500 square feet.

Getting Creative

Now, I don’t want you to think this is all bad news. There are still creative ways to get roof deck projects approved—it just lands more on a caseby-case basis.

As noted, one-to-two-story buildings have a higher chance of getting a roof deck approved. Additionally, roof decks built for a single unit, rather

than one roof deck accessible for all tenants in a multi-unit building, are much easier to get approved and construct.

So, if you’re desperate to create a show-stopping roof deck for next year’s Fleet Week, connect with an experienced architect and schedule a preapplication meeting with the Building, Fire, and Planning departments, and check all of your boxes.

Serina Calhoun is an architect with Syncopated Architecture and can be reached at 415-558-9843.

Q. My tenants keep getting on the roof, claiming they have “roof deck rights.” There is no roof deck. What do I do?

A. This is very common problem, and a problem it is, from many angles: Potential liability for landlords, escalation of landlord/tenant rights disputes, violations of San Francisco Planning and Building Department permitting rules regarding setbacks, neighbor notification, health and safety, complaints by neighboring property owners/occupants, etc. I address only the “illegal” use of the roof, i.e. when there is no permit-issued roof deck construction or specific provision in the lease or agreement between the landlord and tenant that allows use of the permit-issued roof deck as an amenity to the tenant’s occupancy (for which the tenant pays to utilize).

In many multi-unit buildings, an emergency exit door can allow roof access in case of emergency. That is, pursuant to San Francisco Planning and Building Codes, buildings exceeding particular square footage may

require an unlocked, unfettered roof access door in case of emergency, allowing occupants onto the roof to reach the fire escape of the building and/or as an “area of refuge” for safety and ultimate rescue by personnel of emergency services. As these roof access doors must be left unlocked for the reasons stated above, tenants/occupants (and their guests, invitees, etc.) may decide to go on the roof during non-emergency situations—anytime they so desire—to take a look around, hang out, bring a beach chair, drinks, food, etc. Sometimes, the illegal use of roofs by tenants is very elaborate, including chairs, tables, umbrellas, BBQs, “floor coverings,” planted gardens, etc. I have even experienced a “wet bar” and dance floor set up on a roof by tenants of a building—all illegal activity!

A roof deck requires approvals from the City and County of San Francisco. Without said approval, the roof may not be used as a common-area amenity by the tenants. If a neighboring property owner (or any interested party) complains to the Building Department about these tenant activities, the landlord will be issued a Notice of Violation, requiring either abatement of the use or directing the landlord to the option to obtain a permit for said roof deck. Without a permit, no roof deck activity. A permit would not issue if it violates the Planning Code and/ or Building Code: Planning due to the design guidelines imposed by the City— including setbacks, privacy concerns by other neighbors, required neighborhood notification to surrounding property owners, etc. (No one wants to live beside tenants partying on a roof, so don’t expect the support of your neighbors). Then, the Building Department shall require appropriate construction materials, plans, inspections, etc.—sometimes a very expensive endeavor.

However, if the Landlord has been allowing the activity for some time—either inadvertently or deliberately—the landlord may then be vulnerable to a claim by the tenant users of a reduction in housing services when it is confirmed the landlord cannot obtain a permit. Further

complicating matters: What if you have numerous sets of tenants utilizing the roof? Upon whom do you serve the Notice of violation of lease covenant? Which tenants do you evict? All of them? Some of them? Without proof (via video surveillance) of the perpetrator(s), landlords risk accusing/ terminating the wrong tenants.

And we are all aware of accidents when persons fall from roofs, roof decks, balconies—many of said tragic events have occurred with properly constructed and permitted roof deck elements. It is a liability and expense that may not be covered by insurance should an injury occur and/ or a claim be made due to the illegal roof access activity.

Landlords must take action to stop this activity immediately. Landlords should post signs on the emergency roof access doors indicating said roof access is in case of emergency only, is deemed a trespass if accessed by tenants for non-emergency purposes, and send a letter to all tenants confirming the terms of the Emergency Roof Access Door usage. The door should trigger an alarm—either silent or sounded—to the landlord, property manager, or on-site staff of the trespass occurring. I highly encourage video surveillance of the door to “catch” any perpetrator and take swift action of the violation of the lease covenant.

—Denise A. Leadbetter

The information contained in this article is general in nature. Consult the advice of an attorney for any specific problem. Denise A. Leadbetter is with Koster & Leadbetter, LLP and can be reached at 415-713-8680.

MIKE STACK

Clearing the Air

written by VARIOUS AUTHORS

A

guide to addressing secondhand smoke complaints and tenant disputes over health concerns.

Q.A tenant claims to have failed a drug test for employment because of marijuana smoke entering his unit from a neighboring apartment. Do I need to get involved?

A. Failing a drug test should be the least of everyone’s concerns. About twenty years ago, SFAA ran an article detailing the adverse health impacts caused by secondhand smoke. While this write-up focused on the carcinogens released by tobacco products, the author noted that all secondhand smoke, whether it be from tobacco, marijuana, or other substances, is toxic and harmful to humans, especially children.

UCLA Health recently published a succinct summary on the topic of secondhand marijuana smoke: uclahealth. org/news/article/secondhand-marijuanasmoke-what-are-the-risks-to-your-health

Not surprisingly, long-term exposure to cannabis emissions will adversely impact the non-user’s respiratory and cardiovascular systems as well as increase the risk of cancer. Secondhand marijuana smoke can cause developmental damage in growing children. And, as highlighted by this question,

THC and other chemicals inhaled by non-users can appear in the non-users’ toxic screening.

Thus, like secondhand tobacco smoke, migrating marijuana plumes are a “nuisance” to other building residents. A nuisance is broadly defined as something injurious to one’s use and enjoyment of real property. Common examples of a nuisance include loud noise, excessive light, foul odors, and as is the example here, smoke. Housing providers have an obligation to address nuisances, especially those nuisances that are harmful to the health and well-being of other building residents.

Accordingly, this author recommends immediate involvement by the housing provider to stop the migration of secondhand cannabis smoke into the living spaces of others. Start by meeting with the smoking tenant. Inform them of the problem. If the lease contains a smoking prohibition, advise them that they need to adhere to this covenant. The SFAA lease clearly prohibits smoking for this very reason:

Smoking: Smoking of any substance is not permitted in the Premises or in any common area of the Building. Tenant shall inform all guests or invitees of this smoking prohibition. Any breach of this provision by Tenant shall be deemed a material breach of the Agreement and may be just cause for terminating the tenancy. Tenant shall promptly notify Owner in writing of any incident where smoke is migrating into the Premises or Building

common areas from sources outside of the Premises.

Also consider weather-stripping the smoker’s door and windows, especially if there is not a lease clause prohibiting smoking. Regardless of whether smoking is permitted inside one’s home, in no instance may this nuisance activity be allowed to persist to the detriment of other building occupants. As such, should your resolution efforts fall short and the smoke continues to invade building common areas or living spaces belonging to others, consult legal counsel to initiate more formal pressure. In sum, this problem needs to be addressed diligently, and the housing provider must certainly become actively involved until the situation is satisfactorily rectified.

—Dave Wasserman

Q.I’d like to sell my occupied four-unit building. What are my obligations to the tenants? What are my options?

A. You actually owe obligations to more stakeholders than just your tenants, but let’s begin there. First, the Rent Ordinance requires that you notify your tenants that the sale does not affect their rights to rent or eviction control, that their leases cannot be materially changed, that you must comply with state law governing reasonable access for the purpose of showing the property, and that you cannot demand estoppel certificates unless otherwise permitted by their lease or the law. Estoppel statements can be valuable for a variety of reasons. Many buyers of smaller multifamily properties want to live there, and one

estoppel authorized by law is the tenant’s claim of being “protected” from non-fault evictions (like owner and relative movein evictions) by virtue of being elderly, disabled, or catastrophically ill (provided they have a specific, minimum time in occupancy). The procedures governing this form of estoppel are a bit detailed, but if you comply and the tenant does not respond, theoretically their non-response is a binding admission that they are not in a protected class—essentially a valuable property right for your prospective buyer.

Because your property consists of more than three units, your attempt to sell is also governed by the Community Opportunity to Purchase Act (known as “COPA”), which means that before you can offer the building for sale, solicit offers for a purchase or, frankly, even show the property to a prospective buyer, you must first offer the building to the list of non-profits maintained by the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development. While you are not required to accept any offer they make, you are required to provide a right of first refusal on any subsequent, arm’s-length purchase offer.

Whoever your buyer is, you should be providing the standard volley of sales disclosures. The concept here is that you want to communicate as much factual information about the tenancies and the building itself as possible. “Nondisclosure” and “misrepresentation” are torts, giving rise to liability where a seller withholds information from the buyer or intentionally misdirects the buyer about material facts. The word “material” here basically means that, were the fact known, the buyer would have paid less, and therefore, whether a violation occurred is in the eye of the buyer.

Put another way, if you err on the side of over-disclosure, your sales price may go down, but so does your exposure. In that same vein, a well-curated property management file will build value into your property, indicating how professionally you managed it. (This will include rent increases, notices of entry, warnings

about lease violations, as well as any actual evictions, and information about who the “original occupants” are, for the purposes of vacancy decontrol/rent increases.) Therefore, you should include any and all documentation about the tenancies to your buyer, and property owners in general should develop practices for maintaining these files in good form.

There are certain other sundry regulations you would probably want to comply with and notate for your buyer. For instance, since 2020, San Francisco has required registration of rental units as a condition of imposing annual allowable rent increases. If you haven’t yet registered, you should. (Past rent increases might even be invalid.) And if you have been registered, you should provide supporting documentation to corroborate the past four years of rent increases.

We are also in the first calendar year of compliance for the Proposition M “residential vacancy tax.” By the time you read this, the trial court should have decided SFAA’s challenge to this overreaching law on the merits, but the ultimate fate of Prop M will be decided in the Court of Appeal at least a year from now. Until then, units deemed “empty” (as defined) for at least 183 days are subject to the tax, so you should include information on occupancy to your buyer.

—Justin A. Goodman

The information contained in this article is general in nature. Consult the advice of an attorney for any specific problem. Justin A. Goodman is with Zacks & Freedman and can be reached at 415-956-8100. Dave Wasserman is with Wasserman Offices and can be reached at 415-567-9600.

RIPPLE EFFECTS

Written by PAM MCELROY

Photos provided by U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY DENVER LIBRARY PHOTOGRAPHIC COLLECTION

Loma Prieta, California, Earthquake October 17, 1989. Collapsed Cypress viaduct of Interstate 880 in Oakland. The second deck collapsed onto the first deck.

Photo by George Plafker.

Explore the lessons and legacy of the Loma Prieta earthquake, 35 years later.

On October 17, 1989, at 5:04 p.m., the ground beneath the San Francisco Bay Area shook with a force that would forever change the region. The Loma Prieta earthquake, with a magnitude of 6.9, struck with a sudden ferocity. Lasting just fifteen seconds, it left a path of destruction that profoundly impacted lives, infrastructure, and the economy.

As we mark the 35th anniversary of this pivotal event, it’s essential to reflect on the lessons learned, the changes made, and how this disaster has shaped the Bay Area into what it is today.

As San Francisco housing providers, understanding this history is not just about remembering a tragic event—it’s also about recognizing the importance of preparedness and resilience in a seismically active region.

The Big Event

The Loma Prieta earthquake struck with its epicenter near Loma Prieta Peak in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Though the epicenter was located over sixty miles south of San Francisco, the tremor was felt throughout the Bay Area. The quake was caused by a slip along the San Andreas Fault, the notorious geological feature that had previously caused the devastating 1906 earthquake.

While the earthquake lasted only about fifteen seconds, those moments were enough to cause widespread panic and chaos. The timing of the quake, during the evening rush hour, exacerbated the impact. Buildings crumbled, freeways collapsed, and fires broke out. The earthquake also disrupted Game 3 of the World Series between the San Francisco Giants and the Oakland Athletics at Candlestick Park, a moment that remains etched in the memories of many residents. This disruption of the “Battle of the

Bay” symbolized the far-reaching effects of the quake, as everyone was abruptly confronted with the reality of the disaster.

San Andreas Fault is a strike-slip fault, meaning the ground on either side moves horizontally during an earthquake. The movement along the fault during the Loma Prieta earthquake released a tremendous amount of energy that primarily affected a region of about 8,000 square miles, including cities like San Francisco, Oakland, Santa Cruz, and San Jose. The shaking was felt as far north as southern Oregon, as far east as western Nevada, and as far south as Los Angeles.

This event was a reminder of the ever-present risk posed by the fault— a risk that continues to shape building codes and preparedness efforts in the Bay Area.

Hardest Hit

The Loma Prieta earthquake claimed 63 lives and injured over 3,700 people. The collapse of crucial infrastructure exposed the region’s vulnerability and sparked debates on rebuilding to withstand future quakes. The damage was immense, with costs estimated at $6 billion (over $12 billion today), displacing residents and disrupting businesses. Beyond the physical and financial toll, the earthquake left a deep psychological impact, shattering the sense of security and affecting mental health and community cohesion for years to come.

Several neighborhoods and structures in San Francisco were hit particularly hard by the Loma Prieta earthquake, each with its own story of destruction and resilience.

Marina District: Perhaps the most well-known example of devastation was the Marina District, where the phenomenon of liquefaction wreaked havoc. Built on landfill from the 1906 earthquake, the ground in this area turned to mush as the seismic waves passed through, causing buildings to sink, tilt, and collapse. Fires broke out as gas lines ruptured, and the combination of fire and structural collapse turned parts of the Marina into a disaster zone. The earthquake was a wake-up call for landlords and property owners in the area about the dangers of building on unstable ground.

Bay Bridge Collapse: Another iconic image from the Loma Prieta earthquake is the collapse of a section of the Bay Bridge. The upper deck of the bridge’s eastern span collapsed onto the lower deck, tragically killing one person and trapping others in their cars. The Bay Bridge’s failure was a stark reminder of the vulnerability of even critical infrastructure to seismic forces. The event led to a massive reconstruction effort that took decades to complete, with the new, more resilient span finally opening in 2013.

Embarcadero and South of Market (SOMA): The earthquake also caused significant damage to the Embarcadero and SOMA areas. In the Embarcadero, the double-decker freeway that had once dominated the waterfront was heavily damaged, leading to its eventual demolition. This opened up the waterfront for revitalization and transformed it into the vibrant area it is today. In SOMA, older buildings suffered

structural damage, and the neighborhood’s revitalization was delayed as resources were diverted to recovery efforts.

Cypress Structure: While not in San Francisco, we can’t ignore the Cypress Structure, which was the single deadliest event of the Loma Prieta earthquake, resulting in the deaths of 42 people. The collapse occurred along a 1.6-mile stretch of the freeway, primarily in West Oakland. The design of the structure, which lacked adequate reinforcement and had a soft, unstable foundation, contributed to its failure. The section that collapsed was built on fill soil, which is particularly vulnerable to liquefaction during earthquakes.

Battle of the Bay

The Loma Prieta earthquake struck just as Game 3 of the World Series was about to begin at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. The World Series, known as the “Battle of the Bay,” featured the San Francisco Giants and the Oakland Athletics, making it a highly anticipated event for Bay Area residents.

Candlestick Park was filled with over 62,000 fans eagerly awaiting the start of the game. Just before the first pitch, as players were warming up on the field, the ground began to shake, causing parts of the stadium to sway and rumble. The power went out, leaving the stadium in partial darkness. Many fans, players, and broadcasters initially thought an overenthusiastic crowd caused the shaking, but it quickly became apparent that something far more serious was happening.

Fans quickly transitioned from excitement to fear as the earthquake hit. Amid the chaos, strangers helped each other. People calmed frightened children, shared radios to get updates, and worked together to ensure everyone in their section was safe. This spontaneous solidarity showed the strength of community spirit, even among a crowd of strangers.

TV cameras were live, capturing the initial moments of confusion. The broadcast cut off mid-sentence as the power outage hit, and viewers at home were left wondering what had happened. Inside the stadium, fans reacted with a mixture of fear and disbelief. Some tried to take cover, while others simply stood frozen in place. Remarkably, despite the chaos, no one was seriously injured at Candlestick Park. This was in part due to its relative distance from the epicenter, but in part also a testament to the stadium’s design.

The players and coaches were also deeply affected by the quake. Many later recounted their experiences, describing how they felt the ground shift beneath them and saw the stadium move in ways they never thought possible. Both teams quickly left the field as officials worked to assess the damage and ensure the safety of everyone in the stadium.

In the immediate aftermath, Major League Baseball officials, in consultation with local authorities, decided to postpone the game. It was clear that baseball would have to take a backseat to the more pressing concerns of rescue and recovery. The World Series was put on hold for ten days, resuming on October 27, 1989, in the same stadium, under much different circumstances. The focus had shifted from baseball to

Loma Prieta, California, Earthquake October 17, 1989. Top: Structures damaged in the Marina District of San Franciso. Damage due to ground failure of liquefied fill. Bottom Left: Sand boils formed by liquefaction in the Marina District of San Francisco. Bottom Right: Oakland. Pancaked upper deck of the Cypress viaduct of Interstate 880. Guardrail on the right is on the lower deck.

recovery. Players and broadcasters took on new roles, helping comfort the community and communicate important information. Athletes, including Giants pitcher Dave Dravecky, visited hospitals and shelters to comfort those affected by the quake.

A Community Comes Together

The Loma Prieta earthquake wasn’t just a story of devastation; it was a story of resilience, heroism, and leadership. The earthquake brought out the best in many Bay Area communities. Local leaders like San Francisco Mayor Art Agnos and California Governor George Deukmejian played pivotal roles in coordinating relief efforts, while athletes at Candlestick Park and influential media figures used their platforms to support recovery and comfort the public during the crisis.

Neighbors supported neighbors, and local organizations mobilized to help those in need. The Mission District used its many community centers and churches, and SOMA used its large warehouses for emergency shelters, relief distribution, and Red Cross hubs.

The Sunset and Richmond neighborhoods became a refuge, providing shelter in the large residential areas, schools, and churches. These neighborhoods became staging grounds for relief supplies and emergency services.

Chinatown and the Mission were instrumental in providing translation services, legal aid, and housing assistance to

non-English-speaking immigrants, ensuring that vulnerable populations were not left behind.

Noe Valley residents and businesses led fundraising efforts, organizing charity events and donating generously to get San Francisco back on its feet.

Each neighborhood contributed in unique ways to the recovery efforts, whether through providing emergency housing, organizing grassroots relief efforts, or advocating for long-term changes. The collective response of San Francisco’s neighborhoods showcases the city’s resilience and community spirit in the face of disaster.

The spirit of resilience that emerged in the wake of the disaster has become a defining characteristic of the region. For housing providers, fostering a sense of community and resilience among tenants can be an important part of earthquake preparedness.

Local Heroes

Countless individuals and groups rose to the occasion, displaying extraordinary bravery and compassion.

Frank Blackman: Frank Blackman, a bus driver for AC Transit in Oakland, was driving his bus along the lower deck of the Cypress Structure when the earthquake struck, causing the

Loma Prieta, California, Earthquake October 17, 1989. Left: San Francisco and San Mateo County Coast. Large slides north of Fort Funston. Right: Collapsed section of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. View is west.

Downtown | $2,800,000

• Attractive Downtown Property

• Over $1,000,000 in Renovations

• 8 Studios and 8 One Bedroom Units

• Parking

In Association with Gino Franco

Sunset District | $7,200,000 FOR SALE PENDING

• 36 Units

• 9.5 GRM

• 6.1% Cap Rate

• 100% Occupied

• Many Recent Capital Improvements

A Challenging Environment Has Created Unique Opportunities.

Rising interest rates have had a significant impact on the San Francisco sales market. Experience and first hand knowledge navigating these tricky times matters most. We are not guessing… You shouldn’t be either!

RUMBLE READY

Picture this: It’s a blustery fall weekend afternoon. You’re snuggled up on the couch at home, with popcorn in hand, a cold drink on the side table, and your feet propped up on the ottoman, just enjoying the latest Netflix series binge.

Then, without warning, everything changes in an instant!

At first, it’s just a faint rumble. You don’t think much of it as it is probably just some monstrous vehicle passing on the street. But then, within a split second, that thought turns into sheer panic as the sound grows louder. Is that truck headed straight for my living room? The floor begins to shake, and the whole room rattles; the TV screen and lights in the room flicker. As the wave of shaking intensifies, you realize it must be The Big One.

Then, as suddenly as it began, it is over. You feel the building become rigid again, settling back in its place. As you quickly look around the room, you see books fallen off shelves and picture frames on the floor.

What is the first thing you do?

You reach for your phone to check on friends and family, to make sure everyone is okay. Even though the adrenaline is still pumping, a strange sense of relief washes over you, knowing everything is okay.

But is it?

Your friends and loved ones are okay, but what about your home? Whether you live in an apartment, flat, condo, or single-family home, things are around you that need to be secured from unseen danger.

While we often think about securing furniture or creating a 72-hour emergency kit, plumbing and gas systems are also critical areas and need attention when preparing for an earthquake.

In the plumbing industry, we have seen firsthand the damage an earthquake can do to these systems, which are often overlooked until a disaster strikes.

The following are some essential tips to help you prepare and protect your plumbing and gas lines before, during, and after an earthquake.

This is not just the Boy Scout’s motto; it is also sage advice to secure your systems to avoid potential dangers if a disaster should strike:

Inspect Your Water Heater

The water heater is one of the most vulnerable systems in your home. Its size and weight alone show it can easily tip over—even with the slightest jolt—and

READY PIPES

Protect your home’s plumbing and gas lines with these essential earthquake preparedness tips.

Written by MARK BUSH

disconnect from the plumbing, resulting gas leaks or even fires.

Install Seismic Straps: Seismic straps are metal or heavy-duty fabric bands that wrap around your water heater and secure it to wall studs. These straps should be securely installed at the top and bottom third of the water heater. Make sure they are tightly fastened to prevent movement during an earthquake.

Check the Venting System: If you have a gas water heater, ensure the vent pipe is securely connected to the heater and has no gaps or loose fittings. Proper venting prevents the buildup of dangerous gases like carbon monoxide.

Use Flexible Connectors: Replace rigid gas or water lines with flexible connectors. These connectors are designed to withstand movement during an earthquake, reducing the risk of leaks.

Raise the Water Heater: This applies to older water heaters that may be seated on the floor. New water heaters are equipped with “closed combustion,” which no longer makes it necessary to have a water heater secured on a platform at least eighteen inches above the floor. If you still have a water heater that requires the platform, it is probably time to change out that water heater for a new, more efficient, and safer model.

Install an Automatic Gas Shut-off Valve: Otherwise known as an Automatic Earthquake Shut-off Valve, this device can be a very secure and safe way to avoid gas leaks and disasters.

These valves are designed to detect significant seismic activity and automatically shut off the gas supply to your home if an earthquake occurs. This prevents gas from leaking from broken pipes or damaged appliances.

Professional Installation: Always, always—by the way, did I say always?— have a licensed plumber install the shut-off valve. They will make sure it is correctly fitted and installed to your

home’s specific gas line configuration and functions properly.

Inspect and Secure Your Pipes and Fixtures: While you may think this shouldn’t be an issue, you would be surprised what lies behind the walls and crawl spaces of your home. Especially in older homes, years of use can loosen pipes and connections leading to “subtle” undetected leaks that invite water damage to occur over time and become quite costly to repair.

In an earthquake, loose pipes and connections can more easily break and cause dangerous gas and water leaks, and even lead to contaminating your water supply.

Conduct a Thorough Inspection: At least once a year, have a licensed plumber inspect your home’s plumbing for any signs of wear, corrosion, or damage. They will look for leaks, rust, or signs of pipe stress that could worsen during an earthquake.

Anchor Exposed Pipes: Pipes in basements, crawl spaces, or utility closets should be strapped or anchored securely to walls or ceilings. Pipes that are not exposed should have been anchored by the builder of the structure. However, if your pipes become exposed during a repair, check to see that they are secured.

Reinforce Plumbing Fixtures: Plumbing fixtures such as sinks, toilets, and bathtubs should be secured with special brackets or adhesive caulking. This can help prevent these fixtures from becoming loosened or damaged during an earthquake.

Be Flexible: Just like gas lines, water line connections should be flexible to help absorb the shock of an earthquake and reduce the likelihood of breakage.

Fix Any Issues Promptly: Address any problems you discover during the inspection immediately. Reinforce or replace old, brittle pipes with modern, flexible materials more resistant to movement.

Know How to Shut Off Your Water and Gas Supply: Every home dweller should know exactly where the main water supply and gas meter are located. In the event of a disaster such as an earthquake, shutting off these supplies can prevent further damage and dangerous situations.

Locate and Label Shut-off Points: Find out where your main water shut-off valve and gas meter are located. Clearly label them and let everyone in your household know where they can find them.

Make Sure You Know: Make sure you familiarize yourself with how to shut off both the water and gas supply. For the gas meter, you will probably need a special wrench, which you should store next to the meter. Any plumbing professional or plumbing parts store can provide you with that special wrench. You can also contact your utility company. Often, these are provided for free or at a low cost. Note: These valves should only be opened and closed by a licensed plumbing professional unless, of course, it is an emergency.

Post-Disaster Water and Gas Safety

After an earthquake, water supplies may become compromised and vulnerable to contamination, or your water supply may leak or flood.

Store Emergency Water: Keep at least a three-day supply of potable water for each member of your household. Make sure to store it in a cool, dark place and replace it at least every six months to ensure its freshness.

Have Water Purification Tools Available: Consider having water purification tablets, a portable water filter, or a nonelectric emergency water pump in your emergency kit. This can help you access safe drinking water if your regular supply is contaminated.

Inspect Your Water Supply: After an earthquake, check your water supply lines for leaks or damage. If you think there may be contamination, don’t use

SFAA NOVEMBER 2024 SLATE CARD

MAYOR

London Breed - Sole Endorsement

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

District 1: Marjan Philhour - Sole Endorsement

District 3: Danny Sauter - Sole Endorsement

District 5: Bilal Mahmood - Sole Endorsement

District 7: Myrna Melgar and Matt Boschetto - Dual Endorsement

District 9: Trevor Chandler - Sole Endorsement

District 11: Michael Lai - Sole Endorsement

PROPOSITIONS

Proposition A Schools Improvement and Safety Bond

Health and Medical Facilities, Street Safety, Public Spaces, and Shelter to Reduce Homelessness Bond

Proposition D City Commissions and Mayoral Authority

Proposition E Creating a Task Force to Recommend Changing, Eliminating, or Combining City Commissions

Proposition F Police Staffing and Deferred Retirement

Proposition G Funding Rental Subsidies for Affordable Housing Developments Serving Low-Income Seniors, Families, and Persons with Disabilities

Proposition H Retirement Benefits for Firefighters No Position

Proposition I Retirement Benefits for Nurses and 911 Operators No Position

Proposition J Funding Programs Serving Children, Youth, and Families NO

Proposition K Permanently Closing the Upper Great Highway to Private Vehicles

Proposition L Additional Business Tax on Transportation Network Companies and Autonomous Vehicle Businesses to Fund Public Transportation

Proposition M Changes to Business Taxes

Proposition N First Responder Student Loan and Training Reimbursement Fund

Proposition O Supporting Reproductive Rights

STATE SENATE, DISTRICT 11

Scott Wiener

STATE ASSEMBLY

District 17- Matt Haney

District 19- Catherine Stefani

OTHER ENDORSEMENTS

City Attorney - David Chiu

District Attorney - Brooke Jenkins

Sheriff - Paul Miyamoto

Treasurer - Jose Cisneros

BART Board, District 7 - Victor Flores

BART Board, District 9 - Joe Sangirardi

Board of Education

Parag Gupta, Jaime Huling, Supryia Ray, John Jersin

Community College Board Ruth Ferguson, Heather McCarty, Luis Zamora, Ben Kaplan

the water until it can be tested and shown to be safe.

Check All Your Gas Appliances: After an earthquake, make sure to check all your gas appliances such as gas stoves, furnaces, and water heaters.

Look for Signs of Damage: One the most important things to do as soon as possible is inspect all gas connections, valves, and appliances for signs of wear, corrosion, or damage. If you smell that ever-familiar odor (like rotten eggs), it is a good indication that there is a gas leak, and you should evacuate the premises immediately and contact your gas company or emergency services as soon as possible.

If a gas leak is suspected, do not use any electric switches or appliances as these can create sparks that could result in a disastrous outcome.

Review and Update

Earthquake preparedness is not just a “one-and-done” plan. It should be revisited at least once a year. Review and update your plans and checklists as needed.

In summary:

Conduct Annual Inspections: At least once a year, inspect your plumbing and gas systems for any signs of wear or damage. Make sure your earthquake straps, shut-off valves, and flexible connectors are still in place and functioning properly.

Update Your Emergency Supplies:

Ensure your emergency supplies, including water, food, and gas shut-off tools, are up to date. Replace expired items and replenish your stock as needed.

Educate Your Household: Regularly review earthquake preparedness with your family or housemates. Make sure everyone knows where the shut-off valves are located and how to turn them off.

Mark Bush is the Chief Systems Officer at Flow Masters Plumbing. For more information visit flowmastersplumbing.com.

upper deck to collapse onto the lower deck. Blackman acted quickly and decisively, managing to stop his bus just short of the collapsed section. After stopping the bus, Blackman immediately evacuated all twenty-four passengers, guiding them to safety.

Jill Keim: In the Marina District, which was severely damaged by liquefaction, nurse Jill Keim provided first aid to injured residents. Her efforts were crucial in a neighborhood where fires broke out, and emergency responders were delayed by debris.

Paul Dibble: Paul Dibble, a carpenter, was working near the collapsed Cypress Structure in Oakland when the earthquake struck. Instead of fleeing, Dibble rushed toward the disaster site and joined firefighters in rescuing trapped motorists. He worked tirelessly for hours, using his construction skills to help cut through debris and free those trapped under the collapsed freeway.

Officer William Wong: San Francisco Police Officer William Wong was patrolling the Bay Bridge when a section of the upper deck collapsed onto the lower deck. Wong quickly stopped traffic and began helping drivers navigate the chaotic scene. He assisted in rescuing several people trapped in their vehicles and directed others to safety.

SF Fire Engine Company No. 34, led by Captain Tom Brown: When the earthquake struck, the firefighters rushed to the Marina District, only to find that their water supply was cut off due to broken water mains. In response, they improvised by using water from a nearby swimming pool and formed bucket brigades with residents to combat the flames. They prevented the fire from spreading farther in the already devastated neighborhood.

Oakland Fire Department: Oakland firefighters worked tirelessly to rescue people trapped in their cars beneath the rubble of the Cypress Structure. They risked their lives in unstable

conditions, using heavy machinery and even their bare hands to pull survivors from the wreckage.

Broadcaster Al Michaels: One of the most iconic moments was when Al Michaels, who had been on air during the earthquake, provided calm and measured updates on the situation. His reporting helped convey the seriousness of the disaster while also reassuring viewers that emergency services were responding.

Reconstruction

In the years following the Loma Prieta earthquake, significant changes were made to improve the region’s resilience.

Seismic Retrofitting: One of the most important changes was the introduction of stricter building codes. New regulations required that buildings be constructed or retrofitted to withstand the forces of an earthquake. This led to a wave of retrofitting projects across the Bay Area, particularly for older buildings vulnerable to collapse.

Emergency Preparedness: The earthquake also renewed focus on emergency preparedness. Local governments and organizations implemented new disaster preparedness programs, and residents were encouraged to have emergency plans in place. For landlords, ensuring tenants are aware of emergency procedures and have access to resources can make a significant difference in the event of another earthquake.

Urban Planning and Zoning Changes: The earthquake prompted a reevaluation of construction in liquefaction zones and other vulnerable areas. This led to changes in urban planning and zoning laws designed to reduce the risk of damage in future quakes. For property owners, understanding the risks associated with different locations is crucial in making informed decisions about investments and developments.

Pam McElroy is the editor of SF Apartment Magazine.

Loma Prieta, California, Earthquake October 17, 1989. Left: An automobile lies crushed under the third story of this apartment building in the Marina District. The ground levels are no longer visible because of structural failure and sinking due to liquefaction. San Francisco, California. Right: Tom Brokaw of NBC News prepares a script for a live broadcast from the Marina District. San Francisco, California.

WHERE WERE YOU WHEN THE

LOMA

PRIETA EARTHQUAKE HIT?

“I was just a toddler at the time, but the story goes that my mom was caught in terrible traffic leaving work in the city. My babysitter was from Tonga, had never experienced an earthquake before, and had no idea what was happening. When my mom made it home hours later, she found my babysitter, still wondering what had happened, holding me under the kitchen table.”

–Charley Goss, SFAA Director of Government Affairs

“I was on a swing in South San Francisco, looking up at the sky. I remember the weather was muggy, and the air felt thick. Sometimes, when it’s warm and the air feels stale, I think it feels like earthquake weather.”

–Vanessa Khaleel, SFAA Deputy Director

“I was seventeen years old and working at a daycare center in Pacifica. All the parents coming to grab their kids was total chaos—I’ve never heard so many screeching tires in my life!”

–Stephanie Alonzo,

SFAA Web Specialist and Production Manager

“I was six years old, watching TV while my sister was doing homework and my mom was making dinner. I vividly remember the power lines swaying and the frying pan falling off the stove as the house shook. My mom rushed us under the dining room table, and the china fell from the cabinet. After what felt like forever, my dad came home. After checking on the neighbors, everyone gathered at our house and listened to the news on the radio together.”

–Maria

Shea, SFAA Customer Support

“I was at college in Mississippi, out at a bar, ready to watch the game. It was crazy watching the aftermath on TV.”

–Lara

Bogardus Kisich, SFAA Marketing Manager

“In October 1989, the San Francisco Giants finished an exciting series against the Chicago Cubs to take the National League Baseball title. In a few days, the Giants would open the World Series at Candlestick Park against the cross-Bay rival Oakland A’s. I had tickets to Game Two of the World Series. I never saw another live baseball game that year.

On October 17, I was at the laundromat on the corner of Fulton and Fifth Avenue, across from Golden Gate Park. My goal was to get all my Giants gear washed and ready for Game Two of the World Series the following day. I was listening to the Game One pregame on a transistor radio while waiting for my laundry. Suddenly, it felt like a car had hit the front of the building. I looked out the plate-glass window toward the park and saw the parked cars on the street start jumping around like toys. The light fixtures above my head started to crack and fall to the ground. I ran out the front door of the laundromat, leaving everything behind (precisely what NOT to do—but instinct took over). By then, the front windows had shattered onto the sidewalk. Glass was everywhere.

Looking down Fulton Street toward the ocean, I saw entire facades of buildings sliding down into the street. It felt like a movie. Then, abruptly, it stopped. Everything was silent except for the honking of a few faulty car horns. Dust was rising from the street, emanating from everything that had just collapsed. Parked cars and cars that had been in transit were turned around. I grabbed my wet laundry, got in my Volkswagen, and headed to my apartment. By then, I could see smoke from the fires in the Marina. People were out on the streets. Fallen chimneys and debris were everywhere. Then the sirens started.

At first, radio coverage was spotty. There was no power. There were no telephones. We city folks were very isolated for the first twenty-four hours after the quake. If you didn’t have a battery-operated radio, you were out of touch unless you listened to the car radio. It took us a while to find out about the Bay Bridge and the Marina. Even longer until I found out the quake’s epicenter was in my hometown of Aptos.

The aftershocks were horrible. We were all rattled. Many folks slept outside because they feared another larger quake would hit at any moment. Luckily, the warm fall weather had arrived.

Sometime around 4:00 a.m. on the following day, my telephone rang. I had no telephone service, so I was shocked. I ran to pick it up. My Oakland family was on the line. My parents, in the Santa Cruz mountains, just three miles from the epicenter, were alive. They had a considerable amount of property damage but were together and alive. My Santa Cruz family could call my Oakland family but could not call directly into San Francisco.

Remember to always have an emergency contact somewhere outside the Bay Area.”

—Janan New, SFAA Director

Landlord & Leasing Agent, A Winning Combo.

Having over 25 rental units of her own, Jackie brings rst-hand experience as a landlord to all of our Rentals In S.F. clients.

Every day, our team endeavors to nd quali ed tenants for our clients. With an expert understanding of the ever changing San Francisco rental market, we have made it our priority to ll your vacant unit quickly, e ortlessly, at market rent and with your ideal tenant!

With just one phone call, Jackie will come over to access your needs, appraise your unit, and do all the marketing, prospecting and screening. We then present you with a quali ed tenant ready to move in.

Call Jackie at Rentals In S.F. to ll your vacancy. It will be one of the best calls you’ll ever make. Just ask all our clients!

Former SFAA winner

* Leasing Agent of the Year

* Landlord of the Year

sfaa2024calendar

sfaa 2024

MONDAY, OCTOBER 7

Board of Directors Meeting

11:30 a.m.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29

Tenant Liability & How to Protect Your Assets Zoom

10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Members $45 Non-Members $65

October

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11

Intellirent: Detecting Deception in Rental Applications Zoom

10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. FREE for SFAA Members Only

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4

Board of Directors Meeting

11:30 a.m.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19

Keeping Your Property Within Your Family

Zoom

1:00 p.m. to. 2:00 p.m. Members $45 Non-Members $65

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24

SFAA ANNUAL TROPHY AWARDS

Cocktails, cuisine, awards show, and silent auction.

For more information, turn to pages 54, 55, and 60.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25

2024 Legislative and Judicial Updates Zoom

10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Members $45 Non-Members $65

SFAA office will be closed Monday, October 14, 2024 in observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

November

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6

Rodents-Keeping Those Unwanted Guests Out Zoom

1:00 p.m. to. 2:00 p.m.

Members $45 Non-Members $65

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20 Virtual Member Meeting 10:00 a.m. to. 11:00 a.m.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14

Update on SF Street Response Program Zoom

2:00 p.m. to. 3:00 p.m. FREE for SFAA Members Only

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22 Marijuana 101 Zoom 10:00 a.m. to. 11:00 a.m. Members $45 Non-Members $65

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15

Intellirent: 2024 A Year In Review & Emerging Trends To Watch For Zoom

10:00 a.m. to. 11:00 a.m. FREE for SFAA Members Only

SFAA office will be closed Monday, November 11, 2024 for Veterans Day.

We will also be closed on Thursday, November 28 & Friday, November 29, 2024 in observance of Thanksgiving.

SFAA’S TENANT SCREENING SERVICE

THROUGH INTELLIRENT

STEP 1:

Create a free account at sfaa. myintellirent.com/agent-signup.

STEP 2:

Invite an applicant to apply via an online application customized to SFAA’s criteria. You can also publish your available rental on Intellirent across mulitple ILSs.

RATES

Intellirent is your free, online rental application and property marketing tool, partnered with Transunion to instantly return complete credit reports and nationwide eviction notices. Renters pay the $40 application fee, which covers your costs. For more information, simply create your free account or go to sfaa.org and choose the “Resources” tab. Then select “Tenant Screening.”

Please note that the maximum you can charge a tenant for screening services is $49.12.

CONTACT INTELLIRENT FOR MORE INFORMATION:

415-849-4400

SAN FRANCISCO’S

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS

The capital improvement interest rates for 3/1/23 through 2/29/24 are listed below:

ALLOWABLE RENT INCREASES

2024 - 2025: 1.7%

Effective March 1, 2024 through February 28, 2025, the allowable annual rent increase is 1.7%. This amount is based on 60% of the increase in the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers in the Bay Area. A history of all allowable increases and their effective periods is provided. ALLOWABLE RENT INCREASES

03/01/24 - 02/28/25 1.7%

03/01/23 - 02/29/24 3.6%

03/01/22 - 02/28/23 2.3%

03/01/21 - 02/28/22 .7%

03/01/20 - 02/28/21 1.8%

03/01/19 - 02/29/20 2.6%

03/01/18 - 02/28/19 1.6%

03/01/17 - 02/28/18 2.2%

03/01/16 - 02/29/17 1.6%

03/01/15 - 02/29/16 1.9%

03/01/14 - 02/28/15 1.0%

03/01/13 - 02/28/14 1.9%

03/01/12 - 02/28/13 1.9%

03/01/11 - 02/29/12 0.5%

03/01/10 - 02/28/11 0.1%

03/01/09 - 02/28/10 2.2%

03/01/08 - 02/28/09 2.0%

03/01/07 - 02/29/08 1.5%

03/01/06 - 02/28/07 1.7%

INTEREST ON DEPOSITS

Deposits include all tenant monies that the owner holds, regardless of what they are called. At the landlord’s option, the payment may be made directly to the tenant or by allowing the tenant to deduct the amount of interest due from the rental payment.

INTEREST ON DEPOSITS PERIOD AMOUNT

03/01/24 - 02/29/25 5.2%

03/01/23 - 02/29/24 2.3%

03/01/22 - 02/28/23 0.1%

03/01/21 - 02/28/22 0.6%

03/01/20 - 02/28/21 2.2%

03/01/19 - 02/29/20 2.2%

03/01/18 - 02/28/19 1.2%

03/01/17 - 02/28/18 0.6%

03/01/16 - 02/28/17 0.2%

03/01/15 - 02/29/16 0.1%

03/01/14 - 02/28/15 0.3%

03/01/13 - 02/28/14 0.4%

03/01/12 - 02/28/13 0.4%

03/01/11 - 02/29/12 0.4%

03/01/10 - 02/28/11 0.9%

03/01/09 - 02/28/10 3.1%

03/01/08 - 02/28/09 5.2%

03/01/07 - 02/29/08 5.2%

RENT BOARD FEE

$29.50

Chapter 37A of San Francisco’s Administrative Code allows the city to collect a per-unit fee for each residential dwelling unit that is subject to the San Francisco Rent Ordinance. This fee defrays the entire cost of operation of the Rent Board. If you are an owner of a residential dwelling unit or guest unit, you must pay a Rent Board Fee by March 1 of each year unless you have a current exemption on file with the Rent Board or a Homeowners’ Exemption on file with the Office of the Assessor-Recorder.

While this fee was previously collected on the property tax bill, owners must pay this fee to the Rent Board directly as of 2022. Payment can be made through the Rent Board Portal. ALLOWABLE RENT BOARD FEE COLLECTABLE FROM TENANTS

7

SAN FRANCISCO RENT BOARD 25 Van Ness Avenue #320 San Francisco, CA 94102 415-252-4600 www.sfgov.org/rentboard

SFAA Professional Services Directory

1031 TAX DEFERRED EXCHANGE

SERVICES

FIRST AMERICAN EXCHANGE COMPANY

Lisa Jackson 415-244-1339 lisajackson@firstam.com

SEQUENT

Eric Scaff 415-834-1031 sequent-rewm.com escaff@sequent-rewm.com

ACCOUNTANTS

SHWIFF, LEVY & POLO LLP

Elizabeth Shwiff 415-291-8600 x232 www.slpconsults.com

ALARM COMPANY

AEC ALARMS

Yat-Cheong Au 408-298-8888 Ext: 188 sales@aec-alarms.com

ARCHITECTURE

OPENSCOPE STUDIO ARCHITECTS

Mark Hogan 415-891-0954 www.openscopestudio.com

Q ARCHITECTURE

Dawn Ma 415-695-2700 www.que-arch.com

ASSOCIATIONS

PROFESSIONAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION

Renee A. Engelen www.ppmaofsf.org renee@hrhrealestate.com

ATTORNEYS

BARTH CALDERON, LLP

Paul Hitchcock 415-577-4685 Paul@barthattorneys.com All languages welcome

BORNSTEIN LAW

Daniel Bornstein, Esq. 415-409-7611 www.bornstein.law

BRETT GLADSTONE

Brett Gladstone 415-3945188 bgladstone@g3mh.com

CHONG LAW

Dolores Chong 415-437-7807 chongdolores@earthlink.net

DOWLING & MARQUEZ, LLP

Jak S. Marquez 415-977-0444 x232 www.dowlingmarquez.com

Spanish

FRANK KIM ESQ., EVICTION ASSISTANCE

Jo Biel 415-752-6070

Spanish, Korean, Cantonese and Mandarin

FRIED, WILLIAMS & GRICE CONNER, LLP

David Semel 415-421-0100 dsemel@friedwilliams.com

Clifford Fried cfried@friedwilliams.com Farsi, French, Portuguese, Spanish

HERZIG & BERLESE

Barbara Herzig 415-861-8800 bherzig@hbcondolaw.com

ILENE M. HOCHSTEIN, ATTORNEY AT LAW

Ilene Hochstein 650-877-8288 ilene@hochsteinlaw.net

KIMBALL, TIREY & ST. JOHN LLP

Kelli Dodson 800-525-1690 kelli.dodson@kts-law.com www.kts-law.com

LAW OFFICES OF KOSTER & LEADBETTER, LLP

Denise Leadbetter 415-713-8680 denise@kosterleadbetterlaw.com www.kosterleadbetterlaw.com

LAW OFFICE OF JULIANA E. PISANI

Juliana Pisani 415-800-7562 Juliana@jpisanilaw.com

Italian

LAW OFFICES OF LAWRENCE M. SCANCARELLI

Lawrence M. Scancarelli 415-398-1644 www.sfrealestatelaw.com

MASTROMONACO REAL PROPERTY LAW GROUP

Leonard Mastromonaco 415-354-2702 len@mastrolawgroup.com

LAW OFFICE OF MICHAEL C. JOHNSTON Michael Johnston 650-343-5050 johnston-gomez@msn.com

NIVEN & SMITH

Leo M. LaRocca 415-981-5451 leo@nivensmith.com

NIXON PEABODY

Ashley Klein 415-984-8390 aklein@kdvlaw.com

REUBEN, JUNIUS & ROSE, LLP

Kevin Rose 415-567-9000 www.reubenlaw.com

SHEPPARD-UZIEL LAW FIRM

Jaime Uziel 415-296-0900 ju@sheppardlaw.com

SINGER & SCOTT, P.C. Edward Singer 650-393-5862 www.edsinger.net

SJR LAW CORPORATION

Shoshana Raphael 415-408-6044 shoshana@sjrlawfirm.com

STEINER LAW OFFICE

Michael Heath 415-931-4207 mheath@mheathlaw.com

STEVEN ADAIR MACDONALD & ASSOCIATES, PC

Steven Adair MacDonald 415-956-6488 www.samlaw.net sam@samlaw.net Mandarin, Cantonese & Spanish

TRN LAW ASSOCIATES

Tiffany R. Norman 415-823-4566 tiffany@trnlaw.com www.trnlaw.com

UTRECHT & LENVIN, LLP

Patrick Connolly 415-357-0600 pconnolly@ullawfirm.com www.ullawfirm.com

WASSERMAN

Dave Wasserman 415-567-9600

Dave@wassermanoffices.com www.davewassermansf.com

WIEGEL LAW GROUP

Andrew J. Wiegel 415-552-8230 www.wiegellawgroup.com

ZACKS & FREEDMAN, PC

Andrew M. Zacks 415-956-8100 www.zfplaw.com

ZANGHI TORRES ARSHAWSKY, LLP

John P. Zanghi 415-977-0444 www.zatlaw.com

BEDBUG DETECTION

CROWN & SHIELD PEST SOLUTIONS-PREMIER

Aurora Garcia-Vidaca 415-893-9551 www.crownandshieldpestsolutions.com

PREMIER CANINE DETECTION

Jordan Garcia 415-612-6645 www.premiercaninedectection.com

CLEANING SERVICE

SF BLIND CLEANERS

Andy Dovchin 415-523-0404 andy@sfblindcleaners.com www.sfblindcleaners.com

STANLEY STEEMER

Sanjay Bhandari 215-206-0748 stanleysteemersf@gmail.com www.stanleysteemer.com

COMMERCIAL/RETAIL

LEASING SERVICES

BLATTEIS REALTY CO.

David Blatteis 415-981-2844 www.sfretail.net

CONSTRUCTION

FIRST ONSITE

Joseph Dito 510-391-2980 joe.dito@firstonsite.com www.firstonsite.com

PODS

Chad Schutt 310-270-5127 cschutt@pods.com

CONSULTANTS

AMY HULL CONSULTING LLC

Amy Hull 415-450-5809 nj-aeh@outlook.com

CONSULTANTS: PERMITS &

PLANNING

EDRINGTON AND ASSOCIATES

Steven Edrington 510-749-4880

steve@edringtonandassociates.com

CONTRACTORS

C & J’S CUSTOM BUILDS INC.

Caleb Wyman 415-209-8439

caleb@c-jcustombuilds.com www.c-jcustombuilds.com

CORPORATE RENTALS

AMSI

Robb Fleischer 415-447-2020 www.amsires.com

CREDIT REPORTING

INTELLIRENT

Cassandra Joachim 415-849-4400 www.myintellirent.com

DRAIN SERVICES

PRIBUSS ENGINEERING, INC.

Selina Pribuss 650-588-0447 selina.p@pribuss.com www.pribuss.com

EMERGENCY SERVICES

THE GREENSPAN CO./ ADJUSTERS INTERNATIONAL

Rebecca Holloway 707-540-5584 rebecca@greenspan-ai.com

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTING

ADVIRO

Alma Soto 408-512-2912 almas@goadviro.com www.goadviro.com

P.W. STEPHENS ENVIRONMENTAL

Sheri Buenz 510-651-9506 sherib@pwsei.com

EV CHARGING

URBAN EV Alexander Grant 971-275-7365 alex@urbanev.com

FACADE INSPECTIONS

BORNE CONSULTING

Cade Osborne 415-319-4789 cade@borne-consulting.com borne-consulting.com/

FIRE ESCAPE INSPECTION & MAINTENANCE

ACCOLADE RESTORATION INC.

ANTHONY CUELLAR 650-387-8524 accoladercinc@gmail.com www.accoladeconstruct.com

ESCAPE ARTISTS

Ben Maxon 415-279-6113 www.sfescapeartists.com

GREAT ESCAPE SERVICES

Terry Walsh 415-566-1479 www.greatescapeservice.com

FIRE PROTECTION CONTRACTORS

A-TOTAL FIRE PROTECTION COMPANY, INC.

Monte L. Osborn, CEO

Tyler Osborn, CFO 530-672-8495 accounting@atotalfireprotection.com www.atotalfireprotection.com

AEC ALARMS

628-208-0188 SFfire@aec-alarms.com

EMERGENCY SYSTEMS, INC.

Eric Hagerman 415-564-0400 esmfire@earthlink.net

PRIBUSS ENGINEERING, INC.

Selina Pribuss 650-588-0447 selina.p@pribuss.com www.pribuss.com

GARAGE DOORS

R&S ERECTION OF SAN FRANCISCO

Sarah Taylor 415-981-7590 sarah@rsdoor.com www.rsdoors-sf.com

GARBAGE COLLECTION SERVICES

RECOLOGY GOLDEN GATE RECYCLING Minna Tao 415-575-2423 recologysf.com

RECOLOGY SUNSET SCAVENGER

Dan Negron 415-330-2911 recologysf.com

VALET LIVING

Tia LaNae Chambers 707-912-5153 tia.chambers@valetliving.com

HUMAN RESOURCES

INTERSOLTUTIONS, LLC jhong@intersolutions.com

INSPECTIONS

PACIFIC COAST REAL ESTATE INSPECTIONS

Christopher D. Hesson 415-516-8110 PCREinspections@gmail.com

INSURANCE COMPANIES

ARM MULTI INSURANCE SERVICES

Lisa Isom 866-913-6293 www.arm-i.com

BARBARY INSURANCE BROKERAGE Gerald Becerra 415-788-4700 www.barbaryinsurance.com

COMMERCIAL COVERAGE

INSURANCE AGENCY

Paul Tradelius 415-436-9800 www.comcov.com

GORDON ASSOCIATES INSURANCE SERVICES

Dave Gordon, CLU 650-654-5555x6972 David.gordon@gordoninsurance.com

LENDING / FINANCIAL SERVICES

FIRST FOUNDATION BANK

Michelle Li 415-794-2176 www.ff-inc.com

JPMORGAN CHASE

Behzad Boroumand 415-315-5255 behzad.boroumand@chase.com jpmorgan.com/commercial-real-estate

LOCKSMITHS

CROWN LOCK & HARDWARE

Joe Schoepp 415-221-9086

MAINTENANCE REPAIR SERVICE

GREENTREE MAINTENANCE

Yvonne Figueroa 415-854-9495 Figueroa@veritasinv.com

MAVEN MAINTENANCE, INC.

Craig Lipton 415-829-2207 www.mavenmaintenance.com

ONE STOP MAINTENANCE

John Flaxa 650-296-4947 info@onestopmaintenance.co www.onestopmaintenance.co

WEST COAST PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Joseph Keng 415-885-6970 ext. 101 www.wcpm.com

MARKETING

OPINIION

Evan Reyne 855-330-9980 evanr@opiniion.com

MEDIATION

THE BAR ASSOCIATION OF SAN FRANCISCO CONFLICT INTERVENTION SERVICE

Scott Goering 415-782-8940 sgoering@sfbar.org

MOVING COMPANIES

CLUTCH MOVING COMPANY

Steven Mandac 650-425-0353 sales@clutchmovingcompany.com www.clutchmovingcompany.com

PODS

Lee A. Wohlwerth 279-444-9733 lwohl@pods.com

PAINTING CONTRACTORS

DUNN-EDWARDS CORPORATION

Daniela Franco 415-656-9951 daniela.franco@dunnedwards.com

JH PAINTING LLC

Jesus Hernandez 415-531-7033 dezpainting@gmail.com

KRUIT PAINTING, INC.

Pieter Kruit 415-254-7818 www.kruitpainting.com

PAC WEST PAINTING INC.

Brian Beaulieu 415-457-0724 www.pacwestpaintinginc.com

PETERS PAINTING SERVICES

Peter Pantazelos 415-647-4722 www.peterspainting.com

TARA PRO PAINTING INC.

Brian Layden 415-822-2011 www.tarapropainting.com

PEST CONTROL

ATCO PEST & TERMITE CONTROL & HOME RESTORATION

Richard Estrada 415-898-2282 www.atcopestcontrol.com

BANNER PEST SERVICES

Brad Erekson 650-678-2300 brad@bannerpc.com www.bannerpc.com

CROWN & SHIELD PEST SOLUTIONS-PREMIER

Aurora Garcia-Vidaca 415-893-9551 www.crownandshieldpestsolutions.com

PLUMBING & HEATING

C.R. REICHEL ENGINEERING CO. INC. Tim Lordier 415-431-7100 www.crreichel.com

FAST RESPONSE PLUMBING & ROOTER

Joseph Tinsley (415) 596-6115 frpservicesf@gmail.com www.fastresponseplumbingsf.com

FLOW MASTERS PLUMBING, INC

Mark Bush (510) 303-9550 mark@flowmastersplumbing.com

PRIBUSS ENGINEERING, INC.

Selina Pribuss 650-588-0447

selina.p@pribuss.com www.pribuss.com

R & L PLUMBING

Larry Bustillos 415- 651-4977 larry@rl.plumbing www.rlplumbingsanfrancisco.com

URGENT ROOTER AND PLUMBING INC.

Albert Lee 415-387-8163 urgentrtr@sbcglobal.net

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

MELGAR REAL ESTATE SERVICES

Suzy Melgar 650-745-8186 info@mresbayareahomes.com

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

2B LIVING

Brooks Baskin 650-763-8552 brooks@twobliving.com www.twobliving.com

ABACUS PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Timothy Cannon 415-841-2105 tim@sanfranrealestate.com www.abacuspropertymanagement.com

ADVENT PROPERTIES, INC.

Benjamin Scott, CCRM 510-289-1184 www.adventpropertiesinc.com

ALEXANDERSON PROPERTIES

Eric Alexanderson 415-285-3737

alexandersonproperties.com alexanderson08@yahoo.com

AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES

Hannah Lawson (415) 413-7845 lroos@hollandpartnergroup.com www.hollandresidential.com

AMORE REAL ESTATE, INC

Jerry Hsieh 415-567-4800 www.amoresf.com

ANCHOR PROPERTIES MANAGEMENT LLC

Anton Qiu 415-722-6452 anton@apcap.us

ANCHOR REALTY

Mark Campana 415-621-2700 mark@anchorealtyinc.com www.anchorealtyinc.com

ARTAL PROPERTIES

John Artal 415-647-4400 artalproperties@gmail.com www.artalproperties.com

AYS MANAGEMENT

Kevin Newsome 510-708-0165 ayspropertymanager@gmail.com

Property Management Members

The following members are SFAA Property Management Members. They fully support the organization and are dedicated to SFAA’s goals. For more information about the benefits of becoming a Property Management Member, contact Maria Shea at maria@sfaa.org or 415-255-2288 x 110.

ADVENT PROPERTIES, INC.

Benjamin Scott, CCRM 510-289-1184 www.adventpropertiesinc.com

AMSI

Robb Fleischer 415-447-2020 www.amsires.com

CECCHINI REALTY CO.

Dante Cecchini, CCRM 415-550-8855 www.cecchinirealty.com

CITYWIDE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Carol Cosgrove 415-552-7300 www.citywidesf.com

DEWOLF

William Talmage 415-221-2032 www.dewolfsf.com

GAETANI REAL ESTATE

Paul Gaetani 415-668-1202 www.gaetanirealestate.com

GREENTREE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT 415-828-8757 www.greentreepmco.com

GORDON CLIFFORD PROPERTIES, INC.

Patrick Clifford 415-613-7694 patrick@gcpropertiessf.com

HRH REAL ESTATE SERVICES CORPORATION

Renee A. Engelen (415) 810-6020 www.hrhrealestate.com

J. WAVRO PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

James Wavro 415-509-3456 www.jwavro.com

LINGSCH REALTY

Natalie M. Drees 415-648-1516 www.lingschrealty.com

PAUL LANGLEY COMPANY

Misha Langley 415-431-9104 x 301 misha@plco.net

PONTAR REAL ESTATE

Merri Pontar 415-421-2877 www.pontarrealestate.com

PROGRESSIVE PROPERTY GROUP

Dace Dislere & Joe Gillach 415-515-4329

REAL MANAGEMENT COMPANY

J.J. Panzer 415-821-3167 www.RMCsf.com

S&L REALTY

Robert Link 415-386-3111 www.slrealty-sf.com

STRUCTURE PROPERTIES

Corey Eckert 415-794-0064 www.structureproperties.com

SUTRO PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, INC.

Salman Shariat 415-341-8774 www.sutroproperties.com

VERTEX PROPERTY GROUP

Craig Berendt 415-608-3050 vertexsf.com

WEST & PRASZKER REALTORS

Michael Klestoff 415-661-5300 www.wprealtors.com

WEST COAST PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Eric Andresen 415-885-6970 www.wcpm.com

VESTA ASSET MANAGEMENT

Paul Griffiths 415-994-3033 paul@vesta-assetmanagement.com

BANCAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Tammy McNaught (415) 397-1044

accountingoperations@bancalsf.com tammy@bancalsf.com

BAY PROPERTY GROUP

Anna Katz 510-836-0110 anna@baypropertygroup.com www.baypropertygroup.com

BAYVIEW PROPERTY MANAGERS James Blanding 415-822-8793 xt.4 bayview60@comcast.net www.bayviewpropertymanagers.com

BEAM PROPERTIES, INC.

Darius Chan 415-254-8679 darius@sfbeam.com

BETTER PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Steven Brown 415-861-9980 sbrown@bpm-re.com

BLVD RESIDENTIAL

Debbie Brackett 650-328-5050 dbrackett@blvdresidential.com www.blvdresidential.com

BOARDWALK INVESTMENTS

Marilyn Andrews 650-355-5556 ma@boardwalkrents.com

BRIDGES PROPERTY MANAGEMENT GROUP Patricia Lee 415-205-7401 pleehomes@gmail.com

BROOKFIELD PROPERTY GROUPPRESIDIO LANDMARK Jon King 855-327-5376 jon.king@brookfieldproperties.com

CANNIZZARO REALTY John Cannizaro 415-795-2360 john@cannizzaro-realty.com

CANTRELL ASSOCIATES CORPORATION Jim Cantrell 415-956-6000 jimcha@pacbell.net

CECCHINI REALTY Dante Cecchini (650) 255-5273 info@cecchinirealty.com

CENTERSTONE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Ron Erickson 415-626-9944 rjerickson@sbcglobal.net

CIRRUS ASSET MANAGEMENT Paolo Pedrazzoli 818-808-3530 ppedrazzoli@Cirrusami.com

CITIBROKERS REAL ESTATE, INC. Jason Abbey (415) 221-5000 Jason@citibrokersrealestate.com

CITYWIDE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Carol Cosgrove 415-552-7300 www.citywidesf.com

COIT TOWER PROPERTIES Yoshi Yamada 415-447-6834 Yoshicoit@yahoo.com

CONSOLIDATED PROPERTY MANAGEMENT EIC GROUP, INC. Penny Pan 415-682-0708 office@cpmbayarea.com

CORCORAN ICON PROPERTIES Dawn Cusulos 415-678-8854 dawn.cusulos@corcoranicon.com

CROSSBAY GROUP INC 408-512-4366

Eclipse Property Management Inc. Terrence Tom 510-865-8700 x303 ttom@eclipsepm.net

EBALDC

Felicia Scruggs 510-287-5353 FScruggs@ebaldc.org

FOGCITI REAL ESTATE INC. PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Paul Mora 415-674-1440 pmora@fogciti.com

FOUNDATION RENTALS & RELOCATION, INC.

Christopher Barrow 415-507-9600 cb@foundationhomes.com

GAETANI REAL ESTATE

Paul Gaetani 415-668-1202 www.gaetanirealestate.com

GEARY REAL ESTATE, INC.

Melissa Geary melissa@gearyrealestateinc.com

GEORGE GOODWIN REALTY, INC.

Chris Galassi 415-681-1265 cgalassi@goodwin-realty.com www.goodwin-realty.com

GOLDEN GATE PROPERTIES

Ferdinand Piano 415-498-0066 ferdinand@g2properties.com

GREENTREE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Scott Moore 415-828-8757 www.greentreepmco.com

GM GREEN REAL ESTATE INC.

George Green 415-608-6485 ggreen@gmgreen.com www.gmgreen.com

GORDON CLIFFORD PROPERTIES, INC.

Patrick Clifford 415-613-7694 patrick@gcpropertiessf.com

HOGAN & VEST INC.

Simon Wong 415-421-7116 hoganvest.com

HRH REAL ESTATE SERVICES CORPORATION

Renee A. Engelen 415-810-6020 www.hrhrealestate.com

INCOME PROPERTY SPECIALISTS

Clayton Llewellyn 408-446-0848 www.ipsmanagement.cc

JACKSON GROUP

PROPERTY MANGEMENT, INC.

Raymond Scarabosio 415-608-8300 ray@jacksongroup.net

JAMES D. MULLIN REAL ESTATE BROKER

James D. Mullin 415-470-0450 jamesdmullinre@gmail.com

JD MANAGEMENT GROUP, INC.

Jonathan Davis 510-387-7792 jonathan.davis@jdmginc.com

KEYOPP PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Melanie Leung 628-888-6650 support@keyopp.net

KREMSDORF PROPERTIES

Jeff Kremsdorf (415) 902-2883 jeff@kremsdorf.com

LEADING PROPERTIES

Patrick Boushell 415-346-8600 x102 pboushell@leading-sf.com

LINGSCH REALTY

Natalie M. Drees 415-648-1516 www.lingschrealty.com

LUCAS & COMPANY

Susan Lucas 415-722-4724 susan@thelucascompany.com

M PROPERTIES

Mark Mangampat

mark@mproperties.com

MAG MANAGEMENT

Lana August lanaml@gaehwiler.com

MARSHALL & CO. PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Marshall Jainchill marshall@marshallproperty.com

MAVEN MAINTENANCE, INC.

Craig Lipton 415-305-7506 lipton@maveninvestments.com www.mavenmaintenance.com

MCKEEVER REALTY

Chuck Lewkowitz chucklewkowitz@gmail.com

MERIDIAN MANAGEMENT GROUP

Randall Chapman 415-434-9700 www.mmgprop.com

MILLENNIUM FLATS

Carlos Carbajal 415-420-6290 carlos@millenniumflats.com

MORLEY FREDERICKS

REAL ESTATE SERVICES

Steve Morley 415-722-4724 susan@thelucascompany.com

MOSSER COMPANY

Neveo Mosser 415-284-9000 nmosser@mosserco.com

NICE VENTURES INC

Laurie Thomas laurie@niceventures.com

NORTHPOINT APARTMENTS

Taylor Ownes-Kees 415-989-2007 towenskees@northpointsf.com www.thenorthpointapartments.com

ONERENT DBA POPLAR HOMES

Nicole Cheatham 408-381-3157 nicole@popularhomes.com

OPEN WORLD PROPERTIES

Jonathan Daryl Fleming 510-250-0946 jonathan@openworldproperties.com www.Openworldproperties.Com

ORVICK MANAGEMENT GROUP

David Orvick 408-497-1880 david@orvprop.com

PACIFIC REALTY

Kristine Delagnes 415-923-1100 kristine@pacificrealtyco.com www.pacificrealtyco.com

PAUL LANGLEY COMPANY

Misha Langley 415-431-9104 x 301 misha@plco.net

PEAK REALTY GROUP

James C. Keighran 415-474-7325 info@peakrealtygroup.com www.peakrealtygroup.com

PILLAR CAPITAL REAL ESTATE

Jonathan Ng 415-885-9584 jonathan@thepillarcapital.com

PIP INC./SFRENT

Sarosh Kumana 415-861-4554 sarosh@sfrent.net www.sfrent.net

PMREI

Paul McLean 415-999-1407 pmrei@outlook.com

PODESTO PROPERTIES

Gina Enriquez 415-794-7125

gandpofsf@aol.com

PONTAR REAL ESTATE

Merri Pontar 415-421-2877 www.pontarrealestate.com

THE PRADO GROUP, INC.

Andrea Hayes 415-395-0880 frontdesk@pradogroup.com

PRIME METROPOLIS PROPERTIES, INC.

Tom Chan 415-731-0303 tomchan@pmp1988.com

PRO EQUITY AM

Tori Linnell 916-838-2804 vlinnell@proequityam.com

PROGRESSIVE PROPERTY GROUP

Dace Dislere 415-794-9727 www.progressivesf.com

RAJ PROPERTIES

Jennifer Mayo 559-587-1318 mainoffice2@rajproperties.com www.rajproperties.com

RALSTON MANAGEMENT GROUP Keith Jurcazak 650-303-3182 kj@ralstonmanagementgroup.com www.ralstonmanagementgroup.com

RAMSEY PROPERTIES

Brian E. Ramsey 415-474-5175 Brian@RamseyPropertiesSF.com

REAL MANAGEMENT COMPANY J.J. Panzer 415-821-3167 www.RMCsf.com

RENTWISE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT Brandon Temple 650-346-2006 Brandon@gorentwise.com

ROCKAWAY RESIDENTIAL MANAGEMENT Kristine Abbey 650-290-3084 kristine@rockawayresidential.com rockawayresidential.com

ROCKWELL PROPERTIES

Mark Kaplan 415-398-2400 propertymanagement@rockwellproperties.com

RNB PROPERTY MANAGEMENTGOLDEN GATE

Kaveh Gorgani 415-413-3827 kaveh@rnbemail.com www.rnbgoldengate.com

RPM MANAGEMENT GROUP

Dipak Patel 415-672-1203 dipak@rpmmg.com

RYEBREAD PROPERTIES, INC. Ryan Siu 415-385-8891 ryan@ryebreadproperties.com www.ryebreadproperties.com

SALMA & COMPANY

Ryan Salma 415-931-8259 propertymanager@salma-co.com www.salma-co.com

SHAREVEST PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, LLC

Timothy D. Gilmartin 650-347-2020 tim@thegilmartins.com

SIGNATURE REALTY

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Paul Montalvo 650-364-3167 paul@paulmontalvo.com

SIERRA PROPERTY PROFESSIONALS

Sonali Herrera sierrappinc@gmail.com

SILVER CREEK PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Jonathan Arguello 925-600-1818

jmsilvercreek@sbcglobal.net www.teamsilvercreek.com

SKYLINE PMG, INC.

Nicholas Bowers 415-968-9903 Nicholas@skylinepmg.com

STRUCTURE PROPERTIES

Corey Eckert 415-794-0064 www.structureproperties.com

SUTRO PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, INC.

Salman Shariat 415-341-8774 www.SutroProperties.com

TAPESTRY PROPERTIES

Roger Fong 415-334-6120 tapproperties2010@gmail.com

TOWER RENTS

Anthony Harkins 415-377-7571 tony@towerrents.com

UNITY HOMES

Sherry Brown (520) 338-7731 sbrown@unityhomes.org

VERTEX PROPERTY GROUP

Craig Berendt 415-608-3050 csb@vertexsf.com www.vertexsf.com

VESTA ASSET MANAGEMENT

Paul Griffiths 415-994-3033 paul@vesta-assetmanagement.com

VIVE REAL ESTATE

Mharla Ortega 415-495-4739 x1010 mharla@letsvive.com www.letsvive.com

WEST COAST PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Eric Andresen 415-885-6970 www.wcpm.com

WEST & PRASZKER REALTORS

Michael Klestoff 415-699-3266 www.wprealtors.com

WICKLOW MANAGEMENT

Mike O’Neill 415-928-7377 wicklowmanagement@gmail.com www.wicklowsf.com

WILLIAM BOGGS

William Boggs 415-269-0689 sfboggsz@yahoo.com

YMPG

Yelena Gelzer 415-260-6325 yglezer@ympg-management.com

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE

APPFOLIO

Mindy Sorenson 888-700-8299 mindy.sorenson@appfolio,com

DOOR LOOP

Maria Barbera 888-607-3667 mbarbera@doorlopp.com

RENT RAISERS

Michelle L. Horneff-Cohen 415-661-3860 www.propertymanagementsystems.net

YARDI

Kelly Krier 805-699-2040 kelly.krier@yardi.com

REAL ESTATE APPRAISALS

MARK WATTS COMMERCIAL APPRAISAL

Mark Watts 415-990-0025 www.markwattscommercialappraisal.com

REAL ESTATE BROKERS & AGENTS

BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY FRANCISCAN PROPERTIES

Edward Milestone 415-994-5969 MilestoneRealEstateSF@gmail.com

BIG TREE PROPERTIES

Evan Matteo 415-305-4931 evan@bigtreeproperties.com

BRICK & MORTAR REAL ESTATE SERVICES

Eyal Katz 415-990-6762 eyal@brickandmortarsf.com

CHUCK & ASSOCIATES

Kevin Chuck 415-595-5832 chuckassoc@gmail.com

COLDWELL BANKER COMMERCIAL NRT

Steven Caravelli 415-229-1367 steven.caravelli@cbnorcal.com

COLLIERS INTERNATIONAL- JAMES DEVINCENTI

James Devincenti 415-288-7848 www.THEDLTEAM.com

COLLIERS INTERNATIONAL

Payam Nejad 415-288-7872 www.colliers.com/payam.nejad

COMPASS

Tim Johnson 415-710-9000 tim.johnson@compass.com www.timjohnsonsf.com

COMPASS Allison Chapleau 415-516-0648 allison@allisonchapleau.com www.allisonchapleau.com

COMPASS COMMERCIAL BROKERAGE John Antonini 415-794-9510 john@antoninisf.com

COMPASS COMMERCIAL BROKERAGE Chris J. Connor chris.oconnor@compass.com

COMPASS COMMERCIAL BROKERAGE Adam Filly 415-516-9843 adam@adamfilly.com

COMPASS COMMERCIAL BROKERAGE Jay Greenberg 415-378-6755 jay@jayhgreenberg.com

COMPASS COMMERCIAL Mirella Webb 415-640-4133 mirella.webb@compass.com

CROSSBAY GROUP INC. Eric Chang 408-512-4366 erictingchang@gmail.com

FERRIGNO REAL ESTATE Chris Ferrigno 415-641-0661 www.ferrignorealestate.com

HRH REAL ESTATE SERVICES CORPORATION Renee A. Engelen 415-810-6020 www.hrhrealestate.com

ICON REAL ESTATE INC. Jason Quashnofsky 415-370-7077 jason@iconsf.com

KENNEY & EVEREST REAL ESTATE, INC. Everest Mwamba 415-902-3411 maureen@kenneyrealestate.com

KILBY STENKAMP-VANGUARD PROPERTIES

Kilby Stenkamp 415-370-7582

MARCUS & MILLICHAP Sanford Skeie 415-625-2153 www.marcusmillichap.com

MAVEN PROPERTIES

Matthew Sheridan matt@mavenproperties.com

THE MEZA GROUP AT SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY Christopher Meza 415-794-5194 cmeza@me.com chrismeza.com

NET LEASE EXCHANGE MehdiStar 858-243-3954 mehdi@theNLX.com nlx.colliers.com

PRIME METROPOLIS PROPERTIES, INC. Tom Chan 415-731-0303 tomchan@pmp1988.com

SF BAY RENTAL COMPANY Leslie Burnley 415-717-8709 leslie@sfbayrentalco.com www.sfbayrentalco.com

S&L REALTY Robert Link 415-386-3111 www.slrealty-sf.com

TERRENCE CHAN

Terrence Chan 415-317-7011 tchanhomes@gmail.com

WEST & PRASZKER REALTORS Michael Klestoff 415-312-2245 klestoffmre@aol.com

VANGUARD PROPERTIES

Dimitris Drolapas 415-531-9659 dd@dimitrisdrolapas.com

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS

CHUCK & ASSOCIATES Kevin Chuck 415-595-5832 chuckassoc@gmail.com

CITY REAL ESTATE Arthur Tom 415-987-6788 art@cityrealestatesf.com cityrealestatesf.com

KENNEY & EVEREST REAL ESTATE, INC. Everest Mwamba 415-902-3411 maureen@kenneyrealestate.com

STEPHEN PUGH 415-497-8307 steve@pacwestcre.com

REFINISHING / RESURFACING SERVICE

MIRACLE METHOD OF SAN FRANCISCO NORTH Jaime Munoz 415-673-4211

MiracleMethodSFO@gmail.com www.miraclemethod.com/San-Francisco

RENT BOARD PETITIONS

RENT RAISERS

Michelle Horneff-Cohen michelle@propertymanagementsystems.net

REAL MANAGEMENT COMPANY

Melinda Greene 415-230-8895 www.RMCsf.com

RENT BOARD PASSTHROUGHS

Kim Boyd Bermingham 415-333-8005 www.rentboardpass.com

usps

2024 statement of ownership, management & circulation

1. Publication Title: SF Apartment Magazine

2. Publication Number: 1539-8161

3. Filing Date: September 19, 2024

4. Issue Frequency: Monthly

5. Number of Issues Published Annually: 12

6. Annual Subscription Rate: $48

7. Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: 265 Ivy Street, San Francisco, CA 94102; Contact Person: Vanessa Khaleel; Telephone: 415-255-2288

8. Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Offices of Publisher: 265 Ivy Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

9. Full Names and Complete Mailing Address of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor:

Publisher: San Francisco Apartment Association, 265 Ivy Street, San Francisco, CA 94102;

Editor: Pam McElroy, 265 Ivy Street, San Francisco CA, 94102

Managing Editor: Pam McElroy, 265 Ivy Street, San Francisco CA, 94102

10. Owner: San Francisco Apartment Association: 265 Ivy Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

11. Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders Owning or Holding 1 Percent or More of Total Amount of Bonds, Mortgages, or Other Securities: None

12. Tax Status: Has not changed during preceding 12 months

13. Publication Title: SF Apartment Magazine

14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: September 2024

15. Extent and Nature of Circulation:

b.

16. Electronic Copy Circulation.

a. Paid Electronic Copies

b. Total Paid Print Copies (Line 15c) + Paid Electronic Copies (Line 16a)

c. Total Print Distribution (Line 15f) + Paid Electronic Copies (Line 16a)

17. Publication of Statement of Ownership: will be printed in the October 2024 issue of this publication.

18. Signature and Title of Editor, Publisher, Business Manager, or Owner: (signed) Pam McElroy Editor; Date: September 18, 2024.

RENTAL LISTING SERVICES

HRH REAL ESTATE SERVICES CORPORATION

Renee A. Engelen 415-810-6020 www.hrhrealestate.com

INTELLIRENT

Cassandra Joachim 415-849-4400 www.myintellirent.com

KIDDER MATTHEWS

Shayna Leonardsen 206-512-7190 shayna.leonardsen@kidder.com www.kidder.com

MOTABNA

Nitin Ponnaganti 281-736-7892 nitin@motabna.com

REALPAGE

Stacey Blackwell 972-820-3015 stacey.blackwell@realpage.com www.realpage.com

RESIDENTIAL LEASING

BROWN & PATKI INC. Mahesh Patki 415-513-2989 mahesh@brownpatki.com www.brownpatki.com

CORCORAN ICON PROPERTIES

Dawn Cusulos 415-678-8854

HRH REAL ESTATE SERVICES CORPORATION Renee A. Engelen 415-810-6020 www.hrhrealestate.com

J. WAVRO ASSOCIATES

James Wavro 415-509-3456 www.jwavro.com

KENNEY AND EVEREST REAL ESTATE, INC. Maureen Kenney 415-929-0717 maureen@kenneyrealestate.com

RELISTO Eric Baird 415-236-6116 x101 www.relisto.com eric@relisto.com

RENTALS IN S.F. Jackie Tom 415-409-3263 www.rentalsinsf.com

RENTSFNOW

Stephanie Versin sversin@veritasinv.com www.rentsfnow.com

SF CITY RENTS

Tracy Ballard 415-797-8296 tracy@sfcityrents.com www.sfcityrents.com

STRUCTURE PROPERTIES Corey Eckert 415-794-0064 www.structureproperties.com

csb@vertexsf.com www.vertexsf.com

jtorres@swiftlane.com www.swiftlane.com

SEISMIC RETROFIT & STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING

BAI CONSTRUCTION

Behnam Afshar 510-595-1994 x101 www.baiconstruction.com

CONNOR DALY CONSTRUCTION

Connor Daniel Daly 415-205-0346 connor@connordalyconstruction.com www.connordalyconstruction.com

ONE DESIGN, INC.

Erevan O’Neill 415-828-4412 simone@onedesignsf.com www.onedesignsf.com

WEST COAST PREMIER CONSTRUCTION, INC.

Homy Sikaroudi, PhD, PE 510-271-0950 www.wcpc-inc.com

STAFFING

BG MULTI-FAMILY

Shannon Valentino 714-654-9498 svalentino@bgmultifamily.com

INTERSOLUTIONS LLC

Janet Mondani 628-682-5574 jmondani@intersolutions.com www.intersolutions.com

STUDENT HOUSING

AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES

Hannah Lawson 415-310-2388 hlawson@americancampus.com

SUBMETERS

LIVABLE

Daniel Sharabi 415-937-7283 www.livable.com

TENANT PLACEMENT & LISTING

STRUCTURE PROPERTIES

Corey Eckert 415-794-0064 www.structureproperties.com

WATER CONSERVATION SERVICE

SF PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

Chandra Johnson 415-554-0704 www.conserve.sfwater.org

WATER DAMAGE SERVICE

BLUSKY RESTORATION CONTRACTORS

Noelle Airey 925-440-2074 noelle.airey@goblusky.com www.goblusky.com

DRYFAST PROPERTY RESTORATION LLC

Ivan Angelov 415-861-8003 info@dryfast.net https://www.dryfast.net/

FARAGON RESTORATION LTD

Christian Munk 415-648-6418 ops@faragonrestoration.com www.faragonrestoration.com

FIRE AND WATER DAMAGE RECOVERY

Maria Neumann 800-886-1801 www.waterdamagerecovery.net

Shakeproof Strategies

written by JERRY BECERRA

Navigate Bay Area risks with essential safety tips for earthquakes, fires, and water damage.

Owning an apartment building in the San Francisco Bay Area comes with unique challenges and responsibilities. The region’s dense urban environment and geological vulnerabilities require building owners to prioritize safety and risk management—and so, it is vital to have a vetted insurance partner on your side to create readiness plans and run drills to mitigate panic in case of an actual emergency.

This article will cover the three significant risks that can impact apartment buildings in the Bay Area—earthquakes, fire hazards, and water damage. By understanding these risks and implementing robust safety measures, apartment owners can protect their investments, reduce liabilities, and ensure the safety of their tenants.

Earthquakes

The San Francisco Bay Area is one of the most earthquake-prone regions in the United States due to its proximity to major fault lines, such as the San Andreas and Hayward faults. Earthquakes can strike without warning, causing severe structural damage, tenant displacement, and potential liability for injuries. To mitigate these risks, apartment building owners must take proactive measures. Below are some key preparation suggestions.

Retrofitting and Structural Reinforcement: Strengthening the building’s structure to withstand seismic activity is crucial. Retrofitting older buildings, particularly those built before modern seismic codes, can prevent catastrophic damage and reduce the risk of collapse. Anchoring heavy furniture, securing large appliances, and reinforcing overhead fixtures are essential to prevent injuries from falling objects during an earthquake.

Emergency Planning and Drills: Preparing for an earthquake involves more than just structural precautions. Building owners should develop and communicate a comprehensive emergency action plan, including evacuation routes and emergency supply kits for tenants. Regular drills and tenant education are essential to ensure everyone knows what to do during an earthquake. Knowing to “drop, cover, and hold on” and to avoid windows and heavy objects can significantly reduce injuries.

Regular Building Inspections: Conduct regular inspections to identify and address potential hazards, such as cracks in walls, foundation issues, or unsecured fixtures, which could pose risks during seismic events.

Comprehensive Earthquake Insurance: Only about 13% of California

homeowners have earthquake insurance. Even fewer commercial buildings purchase the coverage. Standard property insurance policies typically do not cover earthquake damage. For multiunit buildings, earthquake insurance may be affordable. A specialized policy can help cover the costs of repairs, rebuilding, and business interruption in the aftermath of an earthquake. Your agent will work with you to choose appropriate limits and deductibles to control costs.

Fire Hazards

Fire is another major risk for apartment building owners in the Bay Area. Fires can result from various causes, including outdated wiring, kitchen accidents, or wildfires from nearby areas. In dense urban settings, a fire in one unit can quickly spread to others, causing extensive damage and posing severe safety risks. Below are steps to mitigate fire risks.

Fire Safety Measures: Building owners should ensure compliance with fire safety regulations, conduct regular inspections of electrical systems, and maintain firefighting equipment like fire extinguishers and smoke detectors. Properly functioning fire extinguishers, strategically placed throughout the building, can mean the difference between minor damage and a major disaster.

Tenant Fire-Safety Education: Building owners should regularly educate tenants on fire prevention measures, such as the importance of not overloading electrical outlets, proper use of

OpenScope Studio 1776 18th Street San Francisco, CA 94107 openscopestudio.com info openscopestudio.com (415) 891-0954

• Multi-family specialists

• Value add remodels

• Accessory Dwelling Units

• Physical needs assessments

• Pre-purchase consultations

• Feasibility and capacity studies

• Interior / Exterior renovations

• Urban infill

• Mixed-use

• Review Services

NERT

NEIGHBORHOOD EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM (NERT)

Get prepared and be involved. NERT is a communitybased training program that takes a neighbor-helping-neighbor approach, creating lifelines between families, neighbors, and San Francisco’s emergency responders.

NERT is a free training program for individuals, neighborhood groups, and community-based organizations in San Francisco. Individuals learn the basics of personal preparedness and prevention. Participants learn hands-on disaster skills that will help them as members of an emergency response team and/or as a leader directing untrained volunteers during an emergency, allowing them to act independently or as an adjunct to City emergency services.

Enrollment is easy! Want to host a NERT training in your San Francisco building or neighborhood? Classes will be scheduled based on program need and location. To request a class, you must have thirty sign-ups and an ADA compliant space able to accommodate at least eighty people.

Neighborhood Emergency Response Team (NERT) (415) 970-2022

SFFDNERT@sfgov.org

NERT Class Sign-Up Hotline (415) 970-2024

ACTION ITEMS FOR PROTECTING YOUR ASSETS AND BUILDING A SAFETY CULTURE.

TRIPLE-CHECK THAT YOUR BUILDING IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE CITY’S SAFETY CODES.

Fire Safety: sf-fire.org/services/fire-safety-requirements-building-owners

Earthquake Safety: sf.gov/check-earthquake-safety-rules

SHARE FIRE SAFETY INFORMATION WITH TENANTS.

Residents should be aware of basic fire safety and prevention techniques, and the proper response before, during, and after a fire. SFFD has various disaster preparedness flyers and fire safety training videos available on their website: sf-fire.org

ORGANIZE A NERT TEAM IN YOUR BUILDING.

NERT is a free training program for individuals, neighborhood groups, and community-based organizations in San Francisco. The free training includes hands-on disaster skills that will help individuals respond to a personal emergency as well as act as members of a neighborhood response team. Visit the sf-fire.org/nert or email sffdnert@sfgov.org

MAKE SURE YOUR BUILDING IS ADEQUATELY INSURED.

Review your coverage with your insurance agent. For new or additional coverage, reach out to the SFAA-affiliated insurance agents in the member directory on page 43.

PARTICIPATE IN THE GREAT SHAKEOUT.

This year’s International ShakeOut Day is October 17 at 10:17 a.m., when millions of people worldwide will participate in earthquake drills. For more information or to register for the event, visit shakeout.org.

KEEP UP WITH MAINTENANCE & SCHEDULE REGULAR INSPECTIONS.

For a list of SFAA-affiliated professionals who can help keep your building in working order, turn to the member directory on page 42.

KEEP UP TO DATE ON HOW THE CITY IS KEEPING US SAFE.

Read about the fifty tasks San Francisco’s Earthquake Safety Implementation Program (ESIP) will be implementing over the next few decades, based on recommendations by the Community Action Plan for Seismic Safety (CAPSS), a ten-year-long study evaluating the seismic vulnerabilities San Francisco faces. onesanfrancisco.org/index.php/earthquake-safety-ESIP

cooking appliances, and safe disposal of flammable materials. Regular fire drills and clear evacuation plans are essential for tenant safety.

Safe Storage of Combustible

Materials: Proper storage and disposal of combustible materials can significantly reduce fire risks. Flammable liquids should be stored in metal containers and never disposed of down the drain.

Adhering to OSHA and NFPA Standards: Following the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes is crucial for compliance and safety. For instance, fire extinguishers must be easily accessible, regularly inspected, and maintained according to set standards. Insurance carriers frequently check to make sure fire extinguishers are up-todate and functioning well. An annual service contract is an easy way to comply and maintain safety.

Installation

of Fire Suppression

Systems: If you are planning a significant remodel of the building, installing fire sprinklers in older buildings can help contain fires before they spread. Advanced fire alarm systems connected to local fire departments ensure a rapid response. I see more and more insurance carriers recommending or requiring central station fire alarms. Having a central station fire alarm could provide credits to your premium and increase the number of insurance companies able to quote coverage.

Water Damage and Mold

Water damage from plumbing leaks, roof leaks, or weather-related events poses a significant risk to apartment buildings. Left unaddressed, water intrusion can lead to mold growth and dry rot, which not only damages property but also poses serious health risks to tenants. Below are some preventive measures for water damage and mold control.

Regular Maintenance and Inspection: Proactive maintenance is key to

preventing water damage. Regularly inspect roofs, plumbing systems, and drainage systems for signs of leaks or blockages. Fix any issues immediately to prevent water intrusion and subsequent mold growth.

Proper Ventilation and Moisture Control: Ensure proper ventilation in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry areas to minimize moisture buildup. Using exhaust fans, dehumidifiers, and moisture barriers can help prevent mold growth in areas prone to dampness.

Immediate Response to Water Intrusion: Prompt action is essential when leaks or floods occur. Dry out affected areas immediately to prevent mold growth. Engage professional water damage restoration services to ensure thorough cleanup and decontamination.

Tenant Education on Mold Prevention: Inform tenants about the signs of mold and encourage them to report leaks or moisture issues promptly. Share mold prevention tips, such as keeping areas dry and ensuring adequate ventilation.

Insurance Coverage for Water Damage and Mold: While standard property insurance policies may not cover mold damage, specialized policies can help cover the costs of mold remediation and repairs. Reviewing your insurance policies regularly and ensuring adequate coverage for water-related risks is essential.

Building a Safety Culture

Building a safety culture is about more than compliance—it’s about creating an environment where safety is integral to the property management strategy. Consider establishing a safety committee to help manage safety efforts effectively. This committee should be well-rounded, including representatives from various roles such as property managers, maintenance staff, and tenant representatives, to ensure comprehensive safety coverage. The important elements of a successful safety culture are below.

Ways to Connect.

Email SFAA at MemberQuestions@sfaa.org to have your questions and concerns promptly addressed, or call the office at 415-255-2288. You can also follow the happenings of your fellow SFAA members and find out the latest in the industry by connecting with SFAA.

• Email SFAA at MemberQuestions@sfaa.org

• Follow SFAA on Twitter at twitter.com/SFAptAssoc

• Follow SFAA on Linkedin

• Follow @SFaptmagazine on Instagram

TROPHY AWARDS

St. Regis Hotel

Thursday, October 24th, 2024

PLATINUM $10,000

10 event tickets

Premium seating and table swag

Hosted bar and premium wine service

Present award to winner

Group photo with event special guest

Company video shown during Awards presentation

Full-page color advertisement in event program

Recognition in SF Apartment Magazine

One 2024 member-meeting sponsorship

Recognition on SFAA social media

Recognition on SFAA website homepage

Recognition on event marketing materials

Stand-alone email blast to entire SFAA

membership after event Cocktails, Cuisine,

Show & Silent Auction

GOLD $5,000

6 event tickets

Premium seating

Premium wine service

1/2-page color advertisement in event program

Company acknowledged during Awards presentation

Recognition in SF Apartment Magazine

Recognition on SFAA social media

Recognition on SFAA website

Recognition on event marketing materials

SILVER $3,000

2 event tickets

1/4-page color advertisement in event program

Company acknowledged during Awards presentation

Recognition in SF Apartment Magazine

Recognition on SFAA social media

Recognition on SFAA website

Recognition on event marketing materials

extra extra READ ALL ABOUT IT

In San Francisco, managing and owning rental property can be a tough business. Keep your manager up to date with the latest news, legislation, trends and analysis of the industry. SFAA members can now send their managers or friends SF Apartment Magazine for only $84 a year.

Subscriptions must be registered and billed to an SFAA member. Sign up today!

415-255-2288

Speak Up!!

Tell SFAA what you think of the services that it offers. You’ll be helping SFAA reach new members by telling prospective members about your firsthand experience!

Please take a few moments to answer the questions below (please be as specific as possible):

• Would you recommend SFAA services and products?

• What is the biggest benefit that SFAA provides?

• How has SFAA helped you with your rental property?

• What do you like most about SFAA?

Email your answers to Maria Shea at maria@sfaa.org with the subject line, “Speak Up!” Include your member name and SFAA ID number, and let us know if we may use your testimonial in future SFAA marketing materials.

Advertise

Commitment from Leadership: Safety initiatives must start at the top, with building owners and managers setting the tone for a culture of safety. This includes investing in training, resources, and infrastructure to support safety efforts.

Regular Safety Meetings and Training: Conduct regular safety meetings, toolbox talks, and training sessions to keep safety top-of-mind for staff and tenants. These meetings should cover all aspects of safety, from earthquake preparedness to fire evacuation plans and mold prevention.

Safety Incentive Programs: Rewarding safe behavior can encourage ongoing compliance and participation in safety programs. Incentive programs should focus on recognizing proactive safety measures rather than just responding to incidents.

Continuous Improvement: A safety culture is not static; it requires continuous evaluation and improvement. Regularly review safety protocols, update emergency plans, and incorporate lessons learned from incidents or near-misses.

Safeguarding Investments and Lives

For apartment building owners in the San Francisco Bay Area, understanding and mitigating the risks associated with earthquakes, fire hazards, and water damage is crucial. By adopting a proactive approach to building safety, owners can protect their investments, reduce liability, and create a safe living environment for residents. Implementing a safety culture that prioritizes prevention, preparation, and education is key to navigating the unique challenges of property ownership in this place we call home.

Jerry Becerra, CPCU, is with Heffernan Barbary Insurance, LLC (license no. 0652420). Jerry has been a licensed property and casualty insurance agent since 1983. He is a native of San Francisco and attended U.C. Berkeley. His focus is commercial lines account management. Heffernan Barbary Insurance Services is committed to helping apartment building owners develop robust safety strategies.

SFAA LEGAL FUND TODAY

During the legislative process, SFAA reaches out to members of the Board of Supervisors to address points of concern, support, or opposition regarding any given legislative or policy proposal that impacts rental housing providers. On issues that are particularly harmful for property owners, like the COVID-19 Tenant Protection Ordinance, we’ll mobilize our membership in a grassroots effort to engage members of City Hall.

But oftentimes, especially in an increasingly tenant-friendly city, these proposals get voted into law anyway. During a legislative hearing last year, for example, the Land Use Committee heard from hundreds of small property owners. In the legislative file, there are 6,000 pages of comments from San Franciscans, almost all from housing providers opposed to the legislation. And yet, the ordinance was approved by a vote of 10-1.

SFAA established its legal fund in 1998, and when the Board of Supervisors passes ordinances that violate our members’ rights, we have no choice but to file litigation against the city. In recent years, we’ve seen a pattern of laws being passed that don’t consider or address the perspectives of housing providers. We ask that you donate to the SFAA Legal Fund today. Please write a check to the “SFAA Legal Fund” and mail it to the SFAA office at 265 Ivy Street, San Francisco, CA 94102 to support this effort and to help build the legal fund to function as a deterrent against future harmful proposals.

REVITALIZE AND THRIVE

MAYOR BREED’S VISION FOR SAN FRANCISCO’S FUTURE.

Mayor London Breed (MLB) has been at the helm of San Francisco’s recovery efforts, focusing on revitalizing Downtown and addressing the city’s housing crisis. With initiatives like the “Roadmap to Recovery” and “Housing for All,” she’s spearheading efforts to attract new businesses, transform vacant spaces, and streamline housing development. Through these efforts, she aims to ensure San Francisco not only recovers but becomes stronger and more resilient for years to come.

SFAM: You won a seat on the Board of Supervisors in 2012 and were elected Board President in 2015. You were sworn in as Mayor in 2018. Over the course of your career, what are you most proud of?

MLB: I’m most proud of having the honor and privilege to serve as the Mayor of San Francisco, my hometown. It has been a truly incredible experience and I’m looking forward to serving our city for four more years.

SFAM: Revitalizing Downtown has been a major priority. What has been achieved? What do you have planned?

MLB: Revitalizing Downtown has been a key focus of my administration, and we’ve made significant progress with initiatives designed to transform the area into a vibrant, diverse, and economically strong urban center. Through the Roadmap to Recovery, we’ve been attracting new businesses by offering targeted tax breaks and eliminating disincentives. In particular, the AI industry has led the way, with projections indicating that AI companies will add 12 million square feet of office space by 2030.

We’ve launched the Vacant to Vibrant program, which provides incentives like fee waivers, free rent, and additional support to help small businesses, entrepreneurs, and artists activate vacant storefronts. So far, we’ve filled numerous empty spaces and have seen businesses thrive with lease extensions. We also introduced Prop. C, which encourages converting outdated office spaces into housing, increasing our city’s housing supply and transforming underutilized areas.

We’ve invested in dedicated cleaning crews and Downtown Welcome Ambassadors and expanded SFPD foot patrols to ensure a welcoming environment. In addition, we’re working to attract more residents and students downtown through our “30 by 30” initiative, aiming to bring 30,000 new residents and students to the area by 2030. This effort includes recruiting major institutions and Historically Black Colleges & Universities to establish a downtown campus, fostering a vibrant educational and residential community.

My plan after reelection is to build on these successes. We’ll continue to refine and expand our tax and incentive programs, support business tax reform, and further streamline permitting and approval processes. We’re also working on introducing new entertainment zones, which has already brought significant investment and energy to our city.

My goal is to ensure that Downtown not only recovers but emerges stronger, serving as a model of innovation, community, and resilience that meets the needs of our workforce, residents, and visitors for generations to come.

SFAM: Can you tell us about your “Housing for All” initiative?

MLB: My “Housing for All” initiative is a comprehensive effort to transform how San Francisco approves and builds housing. Launched in February 2023, the initiative aims to tackle the city’s housing crisis by removing barriers to construction, streamlining approval processes, and increasing funding for affordable housing.

In the first year alone, we have removed significant barriers to housing construction, pushed legislation to spur office-toresidential conversions, streamlined onerous permitting, and secured new funding for affordable housing.

Next, we’ll see a push for rezoning proposals focusing on mid-rise housing near transit corridors, removing arbitrary density limits, advancing major housing projects like Treasure Island, and seeking additional regional, state, and federal funding opportunities.

Overall, “Housing for All” is about removing the obstacles that have historically hindered housing development in San Francisco, making it easier and faster to build new homes while securing the necessary funding to ensure these homes are affordable for a broader range of residents.

SFAM: In one sentence, what is your vision for San Francisco?

MLB: A San Francisco of walkable, safe, thriving neighborhoods with great schools and a strong economy, where people get the help they need and everyone is welcome.

“Justice for Renters Act”

Why This Proposal Is Terrible For All Rental Housing Owners In California

The Justice for Renters Act has qualified for the November 2024 California ballot. The Proposition still needs to be assigned a ballot number. The measure provides that:

“The state may not limit the right of any city, county, or city and county to maintain, enact or expand residential rent control.”

What this Means: It Gives Local Governments the Ability to Impose Extreme Rent Control

• The initiative will allow local governments to impose extreme rent control on all rental housing regardless of the age or size of the building.

• It rescinds the current state law that bans extreme rent control, known as the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act.

Currently, Costa-Hawkins prohibits local governments from imposing rent control on:

• Single Family Homes & Condominiums – If the property is a single-family home or is separate from the title of any other dwelling unit, such as condominium units.

• New Construction – If the property has a certificate of occupancy issued after February 1, 1995.

• Previously Exempt Property – If the property was already exempt from a local residential rent control ordinance on or before February 1, 1995.

If the Justice for Renters Act passes, all of these current limitations on rent control would be eliminated, including “Vacancy Decontrol,” which allows an owner to charge market-rate rents when a unit turns over.

The Justice for Renters Act would allow local governments to control rents even on a new tenancy. It would eliminate the state Costa-Hawkins provisions prohibiting governments from imposing rent caps upon unit turnover, a policy known as vacancy decontrol. Thus, your rental units would forever be regulated by a government entity with no ability to raise rents to market level.

The Justice for Renters Act Cannot Be Changed Without Another Statewide Initiative.

If passed by the voters, the Justice for Renters Act can only be amended by another ballot measure to change its provisions.

Learn More: SaveCostaHawkins.com

Contribute: https://caanet.org/landing/issues-committee/

Ad paid for by Californians for Responsible Housing, Sponsored by California Apartment Association. Ad committee’s top funder: California Apartment Association

What You Need to Know

sfaa sfaa 2024

SFAA ANNUAL TROPHY AWARDS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24

Cocktails, cuisine, awards show, and silent auction. For more information, turn to pages 10, 54, and 55.

ELECTION DAY

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5

Turn to page 32 for the SFAA Slate Card.

To find your local polling place, go to vote.org.

To register to vote, go to registertovote.ca.gov.

to carry on the great work they do every day,” Tong said.

Call for Submissions:

“Tales from the Corridors”

Do you have a story that has your colleagues in stitches? Ever experienced a housing industry escapade that’s too wild to keep to yourself? A lesson you learned that we can all heed? We want to hear from you!

SF Apartment Magazine is excited to announce a new quarterly column: “Tales from the Corridors.” This is your chance to share the funniest, craziest, or most outlandish stories from your life as a property manager or other industry professional. Whether it’s a hilarious mishap, a jaw-dropping encounter, or an unbelievable tale, we want to showcase the unique and entertaining experiences that not only amuse but also offer valuable insights to our community.

Submission Guidelines:

Word Count: Stories should be between 300-750 words.

Tone: Lighthearted, humorous, engaging, and informative.

Anonymity: If preferred, we can publish your story anonymously—just let us know.

How to Submit: Email your story to pam@sfaa.org with the subject line “Tales from the Corridors Submission.” Please include your name, contact information, and relevant details about your story.

Selected stories will be featured in our quarterly publication, giving you bragging rights and a chance to entertain and educate fellow housing professionals across the city.

If you have any questions, please email Pam at the above address. We can’t wait to hear from you! The News… continued from Page 10

2024 –2025 Fall CCRM Webinar Series Schedule & Registration PRICE

Webinar System Upon registration the Zoom link will be emailed to the student Class is every Tuesday

Attendee Information: Attendee Name: