Tuesday, 28 July 2026 10:00 AM
Company Update
The Law Firm For Tenant Rights, Inc. Managing Partner Rahman Popal Featured on NBC News Bay Area.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / July 28, 2026 / A recent NBC Bay Area story detailing a San Francisco family's nearly 90% rent increase has sparked widespread concern among renters across California and renewed conversations about the complexities of state and local tenant protections.
The family, who had been paying approximately $3,000 per month for a two-bedroom apartment in San Francisco's Richmond District, received notice that their rent would increase to nearly $7,000 after the property changed ownership. While many assumed that such an increase would violate rent control laws, the situation illustrates an important reality: not every residential property is subject to the same regulations.
According to Rahman Popal, founder of The Law Firm For Tenant Rights, Inc., California tenants often misunderstand which laws apply to their housing, leaving them vulnerable to unlawful rent increases and other landlord practices.
"Many renters believe that simply living in San Francisco means their unit is rent-controlled, but California housing laws are far more nuanced," said Popal. "The legal status of a property, the language contained in a lease, and whether a landlord properly disclosed exemptions can dramatically affect a tenant's rights."
Units that may be exempt from local laws may qualify for statewide rent ceiling protections. California provides protections through statewide legislation such as the Tenant Protection Act (AB 1482), which generally limits annual rent increases for many residential properties. However, even these statewide protections include several exemptions, such as certain single-family homes and condominium units, provided that landlords meet specific disclosure requirements.
Popal emphasizes that those disclosure requirements are often overlooked.
"One of the first things tenants should do is carefully review their lease," Popal explained. "If a landlord claims an exemption from AB 1482 but fails to properly disclose it as required by law, the tenant may still be entitled to statewide rent caps and other protections."
As California continues to experience rising housing costs, low inventory, and increasing market pressure, Popal believes tenants should never assume a landlord's notice is legally valid simply because it appears official. If the rent increase is being used to force the tenant out so the landlord does not have to comply with local eviction protections, there are additional avenues to challenge its legality.
"Receiving a dramatic rent increase notice can be overwhelming, but tenants have options," Popal said. "Every situation is different, and a legal review can uncover protections that may not be immediately obvious."
The Law Firm For Tenant Rights, Inc. has represented tenants throughout California facing excessive rent increases, landlord harassment, wrongful evictions, and other housing disputes. The firm has handled cases involving rent increases exceeding 100% and has successfully challenged unlawful housing practices through negotiation and litigation.
To learn more about The Law Firm For Tenant Rights, Inc., visit their official website.
Media Contact
Natalie Simpson
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SOURCE: The Law Firm for Tenant Rights, Inc.