Fake Tenants Can Be Real Burglars
Members have reported several robberies in apartment buildings with vacant units. These burglaries are happening in broad daylight, with no apparent break-in required to get into the building. The thieves may be “potential tenants” who say they are interested in the unit just to get a key from the owner or property manager, who often leave keys in a lockbox so that applicants can do their own “showings.”
SFAA would like to remind owners and property managers that this common practice can lead to robberies or other building violations. The best way to show a unit is with the owner or property manager present and always in charge of the entry to the building and the unit.
In Memoriam: Steven Littman
The San Francisco landlord-tenant world lost a little bit of its sparkle last month with the sudden death of long-time landlord-tenant attorney Steven E. Littman on September 7, 2008.
A native San Franciscan raised in Marin, Littman began practicing landlord-tenant law as a sole practitioner in San Francisco in 1987. Known as one of the nicest lawyers in town, his great personality and sense of humor made him well liked by both the landlord- and the tenant-attorney communities, as well as by judges, court clerks, and the staffs of the San Francisco Rent Board and the Sheriff’s Department. Littman was also adored by his long-term clients, tenants and particularly his employees. Although Littman loved his career, he was probably most successful with, and proud of, his favorite and most important client—his wonderful daughter Zoe.
An eclectic mix of Grateful Dead follower, avid tennis player and fan, amazing dad and very hardworking lawyer, Littman had many friends and a very active social life. A chance meeting with him always left you chuckling, the result of a (probably extended) tale of lost keys, a briefcase, and/or wallet, accompanied by a semicalamity, which (luckily) often ended in good fortune. Life was a great adventure, one he always met with his wonderful giddy laugh and a smile on his face. Those of us lucky enough to spend time with Littman will treasure all of his great qualities and will miss him tremendously. The San Francisco landlord-tenant community won’t be the same without him.
It’s Tax Time Again
Annual tax bills are mailed each year on or before November 1. If you do not receive your annual tax bill by November 10, you should request one by contacting the Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector at 415-554-4400 or 311, or by sending an email to treasurer.taxcollector@sfgov.org. Tax bills can also be obtained in person at the Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector, located at Room 140, City Hall. It is your responsibility to obtain your annual tax bill. Failure to receive a bill does not provide a basis for excusing penalties for late payment.
You may pay your annual tax bill in two installments. The first installment is due November 1 and becomes delinquent at 5 p.m. on December 10. The second installment is due February 1 and becomes delinquent at 5 p.m. on April 10. You may, however, elect to pay the entire tax bill when you pay the first installment. (Supplemental tax bills are mailed throughout the year and, therefore, may not be due or delinquent at the same time as your annual tax bill.)
The envelope containing your tax bill also contains payment stubs for each installment and two preaddressed envelopes that ensure prompt handling of your payment. Checks and money orders should be made payable to “SF Tax Collector” and should have the block and lot number written on them. Your canceled check or money order stub serves as your receipt. Never send cash. Be sure to mail early so that your envelope is postmarked before the delinquent date. The mailing address is: City and County Tax Collector, Real Estate Tax, P.O. Box 7426, San Francisco, CA 94120-7426.
You may pay your property taxes in person at the Office of the Treasurer & Tax Collector, located at: City Hall - Room 140, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place (between Grove and McAllister).
Acceptable forms of payment in person include the following: check; money order; cashier’s check; cash; and Discover, Private Issue or Bravo credit cards. Convenience fees apply for the use of credit cards.
You may pay secured property tax online using a MasterCard or E-check. Convenience fees apply. You may pay secured, supplemental, delinquent secured (redemption) and escape property tax bills over the telephone by calling 800-890-1950. American Express, Visa and MasterCard are accepted over the telephone. Convenience fees apply.
As California’s only combined city and county, the Treasurer and Tax Collector’s Office collects both city taxes—business payroll taxes, hotel taxes, and parking taxes—and county property taxes. This year, the department is projected to collect nearly $2.4 billion in taxes. Of that, the majority comes from property taxes.
Nearly half of the city’s property tax collections are directed to the general fund, while another 30% is dedicated to San Francisco public schools. Another portion goes to the city’s Children’s Fund, the Open Space Fund and the Library Preservation Fund. The remaining amount is put toward local governmental entities like BART, the San Francisco Community College District and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. For more information on property taxes, please visit www.sfgov.org/treasurer.
Second Annual SFAA Trophy Awards November 13
SFAA’s second annual Trophy Awards will be held at the Palace Hotel on November 13, 2008. Categories include: Best Independent Owner, Best Resident Manager, Best Property Management Firm, Building of the Year, Best Green Building and Best Residential Amenities, as well as several other categories.
To get involved with the 2008 Trophy Awards or sponsor the event, contact SFAA Education and Events Director Vanessa Khaleel at vanessa@sfaa.org or 415-255-2288.
Apartment Market Solid in California
California’s rental apartment market remains one of the best in the country, according to a Forbes list of the 10 best markets for apartment owners. San Francisco was ranked first on the list, with one of the lowest vacancy rates in the country. Oakland, Orange County, Los Angeles and San Diego also placed high on the list.
These markets are likely to remain strong as, according to a recent poll by the National Apartment Association, 69% of Americans renting intend to keep doing so rather than buy a house in the near future. The study further found that U.S. apartment occupancy rates are at their highest since 1965.