A 92-year-old San Francisco resident is facing eviction from her rent-controlled apartment of four decades over claims of excessive clutter. Sue Yeng Yan received an eviction notice on March 10, shortly after her building was acquired by Los Angeles-based landlord Nabob Hill LLC last year.
Dispute Over Apartment Conditions
The eviction notice cited “excessive piles of personal items and/or debris and/or trash” within Ms. Yan’s apartment, alleging it posed a safety and fire hazard. Ms. Yan expressed deep fear and anxiety over the prospect of losing her home, stating, “I am so afraid. I’m constantly anxious. I could end up sleeping on the street.”
Ms. Yan, who immigrated to San Francisco from Zhanjiang, China, in 1982, has resided in her one-bedroom apartment at 1120 Jackson Street in Chinatown for approximately 43 years. Her current rent is $281.42 per month, a remarkably low sum for the San Francisco Bay Area, due to the building’s rent-controlled status.
Landlord’s Perspective and Tenant Concerns
Nabob Hill LLC purchased the 16-unit building last year for $1.5 million. According to reports, multiple tenants have also received eviction notices. The landlord’s attorney, Daniel Bornstein, stated that the company issued “numerous courtesy notices” in an effort to resolve issues amicably before taking further action. Mr. Bornstein indicated that allegations of nuisance, including cluttering, hoarding, and unsanitary conditions, are supported by photographic evidence.
He further explained, “It is standard practice, under city law, that rent checks are not accepted until outstanding violations are resolved.”
However, residents allege that the evictions are a tactic by the new owner to displace long-term, low-income tenants, many of whom are elderly Chinese seniors, to capitalize on higher market rents. Analysis of the building’s previous listing suggested a significant potential for increased rental income through unit turnover, with rents reportedly well below market rates.
Community Opposition and Tenant Advocacy
The building, located near San Francisco’s Chinatown, is rent-controlled, offering tenants significantly lower rents compared to the city’s exorbitant housing market, where a one-bedroom apartment averages around $3,900 per month. This makes eviction particularly threatening for its residents.
Five other units in the building have reportedly received similar eviction notices, with three of those tenants being senior citizens. The building’s management company, Beam Properties, has reportedly not accepted monthly rent payments since the eviction notices were served.
Shelby Nacino, an attorney representing the building’s residents, noted that 13 of the 16 tenants have lived in the building long-term, some for as long as 45 years. Many of these residents have limited English proficiency.
In response to the planned evictions, tenants have formed an association and organized a protest rally. They carried signs with messages such as “Stop eviction,” “Protect our seniors, protect our community!” and “We are not moving” in both English and Chinese.
Kin Wong, a resident of over 35 years, expressed hope that the landlord would cease the harassment and evictions. Another resident, Kit Ying Mak, who moved into the apartment in 2002, described feeling overwhelmed and on the verge of a mental breakdown after receiving her eviction notice.
The situation highlights the ongoing tension between property development and the preservation of affordable housing in San Francisco, particularly for vulnerable senior populations.
