Landlords fined $276,000; evicted tenants to make vacation rental

[FreakinDJ]

Two San Francisco landlords who evicted tenants and then turned their home into a lucrative vacation rental must pay $276,000 in penalties and abide by a tough injunction, according to the terms of a settlement with City Attorney Dennis Herrera.

“There is a steep price to pay for flouting laws that restrict short-term rental uses in San Francisco,” Herrera said in a statement. “Illegal conversions that push long-term tenants out of their homes diminish the availability of residential rental units for San Franciscans, and they’re a significant contributor to our housing affordability crisis.”

Herrera sued Darren and Valerie Lee a year ago on the grounds that they used the Ellis Act to jettison long-term tenants, including one who was disabled, from a Pacific Heights Victorian, and then offered it on HomeAway and VRBO as a short-term rental.


Herrera said a listing described the four-bedroom residence as an “exquisitely renovated home” and charged $395 to $595 a night with a three-night minimum stay.


http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/Landlords-fined-for-evicting-tenants-to-make-a-6246550.php

[yeoman6987]

1. I'm torn I guess.

They probably should have done this through attrition. When one tenant leaves turn it into a vacation place. Eventually they'd have what they want without pushing out the renters. You can't do anything you want with your property.

[Starry Messenger]

2. k&r

Good.