Tenants Rights' Group Protests Against 'Illegal' Share Rentals In San Francisco's North Beach
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)— Demonstrators in San Francisco have posted neon green warning signs on the outside of some apartments where director of the Tenants Union, Ted Gullicksen says people have been evicted under the Ellis Act and landlords are now renting apartments through websites like Airbnb and VRBO.
"Every time we've come to this building we've always found tourists going in and out. There are thousands of these units," Gullicksen said. "There's a couple more right down that alley, Valparaiso. [There's] some right around the corner. This is a real hot spot in North Beach."
Teresa Flandrick has lived on Lombard Street for 32 years and says the character of her neighborhood is changing.
"I'm really angry that the city has not done anything to enforce. They are illegal."
A representative with the city attorney's office said they have filed two suits against landlords for evicting under the Ellis Act and subsequently renting through short-term rental websites.
Other suits are currently under investigation.