Tobener Ravenscroft - San Francisco Tenant Lawyers

### Introduction / Overview

In a competitive and often challenging housing market like San Francisco, understanding and asserting your rights as a tenant is more crucial than ever. This is where a dedicated and experienced legal advocate becomes invaluable. Tobener Ravenscroft - San Francisco Tenant Lawyers stands as a leading and highly respected law firm exclusively focused on protecting the rights of tenants across California. With a deep understanding of the complexities of landlord-tenant law, particularly within rent-controlled jurisdictions, they have built a reputation for fiercely advocating on behalf of renters.

For over twenty years, Tobener Ravenscroft has been at the forefront of tenant rights, having assisted more than 20,000 tenants and recovered over $100 million in settlements and verdicts. Their mission is clear: to obtain justice and economic equity for California tenants who have experienced wrongful evictions, harassment, poor housing conditions, and discrimination. They pride themselves on being not just legal representatives, but active community advocates, striving to balance the often unequal power dynamics between landlords and tenants. Their commitment is evident in their proactive approach, seeking not only to resolve immediate disputes but also to propose and draft legislation that enhances legal protections for renters.

### Location and Accessibility

Tobener Ravenscroft’s San Francisco office is conveniently located, making it accessible for tenants throughout the city and surrounding Bay Area. You can find their office at:

21 Masonic Ave, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA

Situated in a well-known part of San Francisco, the office is reachable via various public transport options, including Muni bus lines that serve the area. For those driving, street parking and nearby public parking facilities are typically available. This central location ensures that individuals facing urgent housing issues can easily reach their legal team. They also maintain offices in Oakland, San Jose, and Los Angeles, extending their reach to serve tenants across the state.

### Services Offered

Tobener Ravenscroft specializes exclusively in tenant law, ensuring that their expertise is highly concentrated and deeply knowledgeable. They never represent landlords, which reinforces their unwavering commitment to tenant advocacy. Their comprehensive range of services covers virtually any legal issue a tenant might encounter:

• Wrongful Evictions:
  • Owner Move-In (OMI) Evictions
  • Ellis Act Evictions
  • Renovation/Capital Improvement Evictions
  • Failure to Offer Rental Back After Repairs (e.g., following a fire or natural disaster)
  • Eviction to Sell Property
  • Constructive Eviction (where conditions force a tenant out)
  • Eviction for Nuisance or Breach of Lease (often disputed)
• Landlord Harassment:
  • Verbal or Physical Harassment
  • Sexual Harassment
  • Retaliatory Eviction
  • Refusal to Perform Repairs
  • Unlawful Entry
  • Interruption of Utilities
  • Attempts to Coerce Buyouts
• Habitability Issues and Repairs:
  • Mold Infestations
  • Plumbing Leaks and Sewage Issues
  • No Heat or Hot Water
  • Infestations (rodents, insects)
  • Structural Defects
  • Failure to Maintain Safe Living Conditions
• Tenant Discrimination:
  • Discrimination based on Race, Gender, Disability, National Origin, Religion, Sexual Orientation, Familial Status, or Source of Income
  • Failure to Provide Reasonable Accommodations for Disabilities
• Negotiating Tenant Buyouts:
  • Advising tenants on their rights when offered a buyout to vacate a rent-controlled unit.
  • Negotiating fair and equitable buyout agreements.
• Illegal Rent Increases:
  • Challenging rent increases that violate local rent control ordinances or state law (e.g., California Tenant Protection Act).
• Landlord-Caused Injuries:
  • Pursuing claims for injuries sustained on the rental property due to landlord negligence.

### Features / Highlights

Tobener Ravenscroft stands out in the legal landscape due to several key features and highlights that underscore their commitment to tenant rights:

• Exclusive Tenant Representation: Unlike many firms that represent both landlords and tenants, Tobener Ravenscroft exclusively represents tenants. This sole focus ensures there are no conflicts of interest and that their strategies are always 100% aligned with the tenant's best interests.
• High Success Rate: With a reported 99% success rate and over $100 million recovered for tenants, their track record speaks volumes about their effectiveness and ability to secure favorable outcomes.
• Deep Knowledge of California Tenant Law: The firm possesses unmatched expertise in both state laws and complex local rent control ordinances across California, allowing them to navigate intricate legal nuances.
• Community Activism and Pro Bono Work: Tobener Ravenscroft actively engages in community activism, with lawyers volunteering hundreds of hours annually at tenant law nonprofits. They also contribute to drafting and proposing new legislation to strengthen tenant protections.
• Recognized Excellence: Both founding partners, Joseph Tobener and Jacqueline Ravenscroft, are Super Lawyers, an honor reserved for the top 5% of attorneys in California. The firm has also received "Law Firm of the Year" awards and has been featured in major publications like the San Francisco Chronicle, The New York Times, and Reuters.
• Contingency Fee Basis: In many cases, particularly those involving wrongful evictions or habitability issues, they operate on a contingency fee basis. This means clients often pay no upfront costs, and the firm only collects a fee if they win the case, making legal representation accessible to more tenants.
• Clear Communication: Clients consistently praise the firm for their clear, responsive, and empathetic communication, ensuring tenants feel informed and supported throughout what can be a very stressful process.
• Experience with Complex Cases: They are adept at handling intricate disputes, including those involving both tenant rights and construction-related issues, as highlighted by client testimonials.

### Promotions or Special Offers

While specific "promotions" in the traditional sense are not typically offered by law firms, Tobener Ravenscroft provides a crucial service that benefits many potential clients: a free consultation. This initial discussion allows tenants to speak directly with an attorney, explain their situation, understand their legal options, and learn how the firm can assist them without any financial commitment. This free consultation is particularly valuable in landlord-tenant disputes, where knowing your rights and the viability of a claim early on can make a significant difference. Furthermore, as noted in their features, their willingness to take cases on a contingency basis means that for many severe issues like wrongful eviction, tenants do not incur out-of-pocket legal fees unless a favorable outcome is achieved.

### Contact Information

If you are a tenant in San Francisco or the surrounding Bay Area facing a landlord-tenant dispute, you can reach out to Tobener Ravenscroft using the following contact details:

• Address: 21 Masonic Ave, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA
• Phone: (415) 504-2165
• Mobile Phone: +1 415-504-2165

It is always advisable to call ahead to schedule an appointment, especially for a free consultation, to ensure that the appropriate legal professional is available to discuss your specific needs.

### Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals

For California residents, and particularly those in San Francisco, Tobener Ravenscroft is an exceptionally suitable legal resource for navigating landlord-tenant issues. In a region known for its high cost of living and complex housing laws, having a legal partner who specializes exclusively in tenant rights is invaluable. Their deep knowledge of local ordinances, such as the San Francisco Rent Stabilization and Arbitration Ordinance, ensures that they can provide precise and effective guidance tailored to the unique regulatory landscape of the city.

The firm's unwavering dedication to representing only tenants means there is no conflict of interest; their sole focus is on achieving the best possible outcome for the renter. This commitment, combined with their impressive success rate, transparent communication, and contingency fee options, significantly reduces the barriers for tenants seeking justice. Beyond their legal prowess, their active involvement in community advocacy and legislative reform demonstrates a genuine commitment to improving housing conditions and protecting tenant rights for the long term. For any local grappling with wrongful evictions, landlord harassment, or habitability concerns, Tobener Ravenscroft offers not just legal representation, but a powerful ally truly on their side.