S.F. Admin. Code ch. 37 § 37.7

Work, Energy Conservation Improvements, and Renewable Energy
                Improvements.
                        [Amended by Ord. No. 358-80, effective August 24, 1980; Ord. No. 72-82,
                effective March 21, 1982; Ord. No. 438-83, effective October 2, 1983; Ord. No.
                        278-89, effective September 1, 1989; Ord. No. 162-93, effective June 28, 1993;
                Ord. No. 347-99, effective January 29, 2000; Ord. No. 02-03, effective February
                        21, 2003; Ord. No. 203-13, effective November 2, 2013; Ord. No. 43-14, effective

                        May 17, 2014; Ord. No. 267-18, effective December 9, 2018]

(a) Authority. In accordance with such guidelines as the Board shall establish, the Board

and designated Administrative Law Judges shall have the authority to conduct hearings in order

to certify rental increases to the extent necessary to amortize the cost of capital improvements,

rehabilitation, energy conservation improvements, and renewable energy improvements. Costs

determined to be attributable to such work and improvements shall be amortized over a period

which is fair and reasonable for the type and the extent of the work and improvements, and

which will provide an incentive to landlords to maintain, improve and renovate their properties

while at the same time protecting tenants from excessive rent increases. Costs attributable to

routine repair and maintenance, or costs attributable to legalizing an existing dwelling unit under

Section 207.3 of the Planning Code, shall not be certified.

     (b) Requirements for Certification. The Board and designated Administrative Law

Judges may only certify the costs of capital improvements, rehabilitation, energy conservation

improvements, and renewable energy improvements, where the following criteria are met:

                (1) The landlord completed capital improvements or rehabilitation on or after April

15, 1979, or the landlord completed installation of energy conservation measures on or after July

24, 1982 and has filed a proof of compliance with the Bureau of Building Inspection in

accordance with the requirements of Section 1207(d) of the Housing Code;

                (2) The landlord has not yet increased the rent or rents to reflect the cost of said

work;

                (3) The landlord has not been compensated for the work by insurance proceeds;

                (4) The building is not subject to a RAP loan in a RAP area designated prior to

July 1, 1977.

(5) The landlord files the certification petition no later than five (5) years after the

work has been completed.

                (6) The cost is not for work required to correct a code violation for which a notice

of violation has been issued and remained unabated for 90 days unless the landlord made timely

good faith efforts within that 90-day period to commence and complete the work but was not

successful in doing so because of the nature of the work or circumstances beyond the control of

the landlord. The landlord's failure to abate within the original 90-day period raises a rebuttable

presumption that the landlord did not exercise timely good faith efforts. Any costs attributable to

the landlord’s compliance with a Fire Life Safety Notice and Order issued by the Building Official

under Sections 107A.16.1 et seq. of the Building Code or the fire code official under Sections

109.3 et seq. of the Fire Code shall not be certified.

     (c) Amortization and Cost Allocation. The Board shall establish amortization periods and

cost allocation formulas, in accordance with this Section 37.7. Costs shall be allocated to each

unit according to the benefit of the work and improvements attributable to such unit.

                (1) Applications Filed Before November 14, 2002. The following provisions shall

apply to all applications filed before November 14, 2002.

                          (A) Amortization Periods. Costs shall be amortized on a straight-line

basis over a seven or ten-year period, depending upon which category described below most

closely relates to the type of work or improvement and its estimated useful life.

                                    (i) Schedule I - Seven-Year Amortization. The following shall be

amortized over a seven-year period: Appliances, such as new stoves, disposals, washers, dryers

and dishwashers; fixtures, such as garage door openers, locks, light fixtures, water heaters and

blankets, shower heads, time clocks and hot water pumps; and other improvements, such as

carpeting, linoleum, and exterior and interior painting of common areas. If the appliance is a

replacement for which the tenant has already had the benefit, the cost will not be amortized as a

capital improvement, but will be considered part of operating and maintenance expenses.

Appliances may be amortized as capital improvements when: (1) part of a remodeled kitchen; (2)

based upon an agreement between the tenant and landlord; and/or (3) it is a new service or

appliance the tenant did not previously have.

                                    (ii) Schedule II - Ten-Year Amortization. The following shall be

amortized over a ten-year period: New foundation, new floor structure, new ceiling or walls -

new sheetrock, new plumbing (new fixtures, or piping,) weather stripping, ceiling insulation, seals

and caulking, new furnaces and heaters, refrigerators, new electrical wiring, new stairs, new roof

structure, new roof cover, new window, fire escapes, central smoke detection system, new wood

or tile floor cover, new sprinkler system, boiler replacement, air conditioning-central system,

exterior siding or stucco, elevator rebuild, elevator cables, additions such as patios or decks,

central security system, new doors, new mail boxes, new kitchen or bathroom cabinets, and

sinks.

                          (B) Allowable Increase. One hundred percent (100%) of the certified

costs of capital improvements, rehabilitation, and energy conservation improvements may be

passed through to the tenants who benefit from such work and improvements. However no

increase under this Subsection 37.7(c)(1) shall exceed, in a twelve-month period, ten percent

(10%) of the tenant's base rent at the time the petition was filed or $30.00, whichever is greater.

A landlord may accumulate any certified increase which exceeds this amount and impose the

increase in subsequent years, subject to this 10% or $30.00 limitation.

                (2) Applications Filed On or After November 14, 2002 For Qualified Energy

Conservation Improvements and Renewable Energy Improvements. For Applications filed on or

after November 14, 2002, the following provisions shall apply to certification of costs for qualified

energy conservation improvements and renewable energy improvements.

                          (A) Amortization Periods. Costs shall be amortized on a straight-line

basis over the period of time provided in 37.7(c)(2)(B)(i), or as determined pursuant to the

procedure provided in 37.7(c)(2)(B)(ii).

                          (B) For purposes of this Subsection 37.7(c)(2), qualified energy

conservation improvements and renewable energy improvements are:

                                    (i) 100% of new EPA Energy-Star-compliant refrigerators where

the refrigerator replaced is more than five years old and where the unit has separate metering,

which costs shall be amortized on a straight-line basis over a ten-year period; and,

                                    (ii) Other improvements as may be approved by the Board of

Supervisors upon recommendation of the Rent Board, following hearings and recommendations

by the Commission on the Environment in an Energy Conservation Improvements and

Renewable Energy Improvements List (List), as follows:

                                              (I) The Commission on the Environment shall hold

hearings to develop a list of recommended energy conservation improvements and renewable

energy improvements that demonstrably benefit tenants in units that have separate electrical

and/or natural gas metering. Such recommendations shall include consideration of cost

effectiveness for tenants, appropriate amortization schedules, and permissible passthrough

amounts that will encourage landlords to make such improvements.

                                              (II) The Commission shall also consider whether the

certification for each such improvement should include the entire improvement, or only that

portion of the improvement cost directly attributable to energy conservation or renewable energy.

                                              (III) The List shall take into consideration the variety and

conditions of housing in the City.

                                              (IV) The Commission on the Environment shall adopt the

List at a public meeting, and shall transmit the List to the Rent Board no later than August 21,

2003.

                                              (V) The Commission on the Environment shall periodically

review and amend the List as warranted by changes in technology or conditions in the electricity

and natural gas markets. Any amended List shall be transmitted forthwith to the Rent Board.

                                              (VI) The Rent Board shall consider any such List received

from the Commission on the Environment, and recommend appropriate Subsection 37.7(c)(2)

amendments to the Board of Supervisors.

                (3) Applications Filed On or After November 14, 2002 For Seismic Work and

Improvements Required by Law, and for Work and Improvements Required by Laws Enacted

After November 14, 2002.

For applications filed on or after November 14, 2002:

                          (A) This Subsection 37.7(c)(3) shall apply to certification of costs for

seismic work and improvements required by law.

                          (B) This Subsection 37.7(c)(3) shall apply to certification of costs for

capital improvement, rehabilitation, energy conservation, and renewable energy work and

improvements required by federal, state, or local laws enacted on or after November 14, 2002.

                          (C) Amortization Periods. Costs shall be amortized on a straight-line

basis over a twenty-year period.

                          (D) Allowable Increase. One hundred percent (100%) of the certified

costs of capital improvement, rehabilitation, energy conservation, and renewable energy work

and improvements required by law may be passed through to the tenants who benefit from such

work and improvements. Any rent increases under this Section 37.7(c)(3) shall not exceed, in a

twelve-month period, a total of ten percent (10%) of the tenant's base rent at the time the petition

was filed or $30.00, whichever is greater. A landlord may accumulate any certified increase

which exceeds this amount and impose the increase in subsequent years, subject to this 10% or

$30.00 limitation.

                (4) Applications Filed On or After November 14, 2002 for Other Work and

Improvements On Properties With Five Residential Units or Less. For applications filed on or

after November 14, 2002, the following provisions shall apply to certification of all work and

improvements for properties containing five residential units or less, with the exception of work

and improvements costs certified for passthrough under Subsections 37.7(c)(2) or (3):

                          (A) Amortization Periods. Costs shall be amortized on a straight-line

basis over a ten, fifteen or twenty-year period, depending upon which category described below

most closely relates to the type of work or improvement and its estimated useful life.

                                    (i) Schedule I - Ten-Year Amortization. The following shall be

amortized over a ten-year period: New roof structure, new roof cover, electrical heaters, central

security system, telephone entry systems, new wood frame windows, new mailboxes, weather-

stripping, ceiling insulation, seals and caulking, central smoke detection system, new doors and

skylights; appliances, such as new stoves, disposals, refrigerators, washers, dryers and

dishwashers; fixtures, such as garage door openers, locks, light fixtures, water heaters and

blankets, shower heads, time clocks and hot water pumps; and other improvements, such as

carpeting, linoleum, and exterior and interior painting of common areas. If the appliance is a

replacement for which the tenant has already had the benefit, the cost will not be amortized as a

capital improvement but will be considered part of operating and maintenance expenses.

Appliances may be amortized as capital improvements when: (1) part of a remodeled kitchen; (2)

based upon an agreement between the tenant and landlord; and/or (3) it is a new service or

appliance the tenant did not previously have.

                                    (ii) Schedule II - Fifteen-Year Amortization. The following shall be

amortized over a fifteen-year period: New floor structure, new ceiling or walls - new sheetrock,

wood decks, new stairs, new furnaces and gas heaters, new thermal pane windows, new wood

or tile floor cover, new sprinkler systems, air conditioning-central system, exterior siding or

stucco, elevator rebuild, elevator cables, new kitchen or bathroom cabinets, and sinks.

                                    (iii) Schedule III - Twenty-Year Amortization. The following shall

be amortized over a twenty-year period: New foundation, new plumbing (new fixtures or piping),

boiler replacement, new electrical wiring, fire escapes, concrete patios, iron gates, sidewalk

replacement and chimneys.

                          (B) Allowable Increase. One hundred percent (100%) of the certified

costs of capital improvement, rehabilitation, and energy conservation work and improvements

may be passed through to the tenants who benefit from such work and improvements. However,

no increase under this Subsection 37.7(c)(4) shall exceed, in a twelve-month period, five percent

(5%) of the tenant's base rent at the time the petition was filed or $30.00, whichever is greater.

A landlord may accumulate any certified increase which exceeds this amount and impose the

increase in subsequent years subject to this 5% or $30.00 limitation.

                (5) For Applications Filed On or After November 14, 2002 for Other Work and

Improvements for Properties with Six or more Residential Units. For applications filed on or after

November 14, 2002, the following provisions shall apply to certification of all work and

improvements for properties containing six residential units or more, with the exception of work

and improvements certified under Subsections 37.7(c)(2) or (3):

                          (A) Amortization Periods. Costs shall be amortized on a straight-line

basis over a seven or ten-year period, depending upon which category described below most

closely relates to the type of work or improvement and its estimated useful life.

                                    (i) Schedule I - Seven-Year Amortization. The following shall be

amortized over a seven-year period: Appliances, such as new stoves, disposals, washers, dryers

and dishwashers; fixtures, such as garage door openers, locks, light fixtures, water heaters and

blankets, shower heads, time clocks and hot water pumps; and other improvements, such as

carpeting, linoleum, and exterior and interior painting of common areas. If the appliance is a

replacement for which the tenant has already had the benefit, the cost will not be amortized as a

capital improvement, but will be considered part of operating and maintenance expenses.

Appliances may be amortized as capital improvements when: (1) part of a remodeled kitchen; (2)

based upon an agreement between the tenant and landlord; and/or (3) it is a new service or

appliance the tenant did not previously have.

                                    (ii) Schedule II - Ten-Year Amortization. The following shall be

amortized over a ten year period: New foundation, new floor structure, new ceiling or walls -

new sheetrock, new plumbing (new fixtures, or piping) weather- stripping, ceiling insulation,

seals and caulking, new furnaces and heaters, refrigerators, new electrical wiring, new stairs,

new roof structure, new roof cover, new window, fire escapes, central smoke detection system,

new wood or tile floor cover, new sprinkler system, boiler replacement, air conditioning-central

system, exterior siding or stucco, elevator rebuild, elevator cables, additions such as patios or

decks, central security system, new doors, new mail boxes, new kitchen or bathroom cabinets,

sinks, telephone entry system, skylights, iron gates, sidewalk replacement and chimneys.

                          (B) Allowable Increase.

                                    (i) Only fifty percent (50%) of the costs certified under this

Subsection 37.7(c)(5) may be passed through to the tenants who benefit from such work and

improvements. However, no increase under this Subsection 37.7(c)(5) shall exceed, in a twelve-

month period, ten percent (10%) of the tenant's base rent at the time the petition was filed or

$30.00, whichever is greater. A landlord may accumulate any certified increase which exceeds

this amount and impose the increase in subsequent years, subject to this 10% or $30.00

limitation.

                                    (ii) In the alternative, a tenant may elect to have one hundred

percent (100%) of the costs certified under this Subsection 37.7(c)(5) passed through to the

tenant. In that event no increase under this Subsection shall exceed, in a twelve-month period,

five percent (5%) of the tenant's base rent at the time the application was filed, and over the life

of the tenancy the total increase shall never exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the tenant's base

rent at the time the application was filed. A tenant must elect this alternative by filing such an

election with the Board on a form prescribed by the Board. An election may be filed at any time

after the application is filed but no later than fifteen (15) calendar days after the Administrative

Law Judge's decision on the application is mailed to the tenant. In a unit with multiple tenants,

the election form must be signed by a majority (more than 50%) in order for the election to be

accepted. If a timely election is made after a decision has been issued, an addendum to the

decision will be issued reflecting the tenant's election.

                (6) Development of On-Line Programs. The Board, in conjunction with the

Department of Telecommunications and Information Services, shall design and implement on-

line programs by September 1, 2003 to allow landlords and tenants to perform calculations

concerning allowable increases for capital improvement, rehabilitation, energy conservation, and

renewable energy work, and to compare average costs for work certified in prior decisions.

     (d) Estimator. The Board or its Executive Director may hire an estimator where an

expert appraisal is required.

     (e) Filing Fee. The Board shall establish a filing fee based upon the cost of the capital

improvement, rehabilitation, energy conservation improvement, or renewable energy

improvement being reviewed. Such fees will pay for the costs of an estimator. These fees shall

be deposited in the Residential Rent Stabilization and Arbitration Fund pursuant to Section

10.117-88 of this Code.

(f) Application Procedures.

                (1) Pre-Application Notice for Large Projects for Parcels or Buildings Containing

Six or More Residential Units. If at any time prior to filing an application the landlord determines

that the total cost of a project for a parcel or a building containing six or more residential units is

reasonably expected to exceed $25,000 multiplied by the number of units on the parcel or in the

building, the landlord shall immediately inform each tenant and the Rent Board in writing of the

anticipated costs of the work. The landlord's notice must occur within 30 days after such

determination by the landlord.

                (2) Filing. Landlords who seek to pass through the costs of capital

improvements, rehabilitation, energy conservation improvements, or renewable energy

improvements, must file an application on a form prescribed by the Board. The application shall

be accompanied by such supporting material as the Board shall prescribe. All applications must

be submitted with the filing fee established by the Board.

                For each petition totaling more than $25,000, in addition to the supporting

material prescribed by the Board for all petitions, the applicant must either:

                          (A) Provide copies of competitive bids received for work and materials; or,

                          (B) Provide copies of time and materials billing for work performed by all

contractors and subcontractors; or

                          (C) The applicant must pay the cost of an estimator hired by the Board.

                (3) Filing Date. Applications must be filed prior to the mailing or delivery of legal

notice of a rent increase to the tenants of units for which the landlord seeks certification and in

no event more than five (5) years after the work has been completed.

                (4) Effect of Filing Application. Upon the filing of the application, the requested

increases will be inoperative until such time as the Administrative Law Judge makes findings of

fact at the conclusion of the certification hearing.

                (5) Notice to Parties. The Board shall calendar the application for hearing before

a designated Administrative Law Judge and shall give written notice of the date to the parties at

least 10 days prior to the hearing.

(g) Certification Hearings.

                (1) Time of Hearing. The hearing shall be held within 45 days of the filing of the

application.

                (2) Consolidation. To the greatest extent possible, certification hearings with

respect to a given building shall be consolidated. Where a landlord and/or tenant has filed a

petition for hearing based upon the grounds and under the procedure set forth in Section 37.8,

the Board may, in its discretion, consolidate certification hearings with hearings on Section 37.8

petitions.

                (3) Conduct of Hearing. The hearing shall be conducted by an Administrative

Law Judge designated by the Board. Both parties may offer such documents, testimony, written

declarations or other evidence as may be pertinent to the proceedings. Burden of proof is on the

landlord. A record of the proceedings must be maintained for purposes of appeal.

                (4) Determination of the Administrative Law Judge. In accordance with the

Board's amortization schedules and cost allocation formulas, the Administrative Law Judge shall

make findings as to whether or not the proposed rent increases are justified based upon the

following considerations:

                          (A) The application and its supporting documentation;

                          (B) Evidence presented at the hearing establishing both the extent and

the cost of the work performed;

                          (C) Estimator's report, where such report has been prepared; and

                          (D) Any other such relevant factors as the board shall specify in Rules

and Regulations.

                (5) Findings of Fact. The Administrative Law Judge shall make written findings of

fact, copies of which shall be mailed within 30 days of the hearing.

                (6) Payment or Refund of Rents to Implement Certification Decision. If the

Administrative Law Judge finds that all or any portion of the heretofore inoperative rent increase

is justified, the tenant shall be ordered to pay the landlord that amount. If the tenant has paid an

amount to the landlord which the Administrative Law Judge finds unjustified, the Administrative

Law Judge shall order the landlord to reimburse the tenant said amount.

                (7) Finality of Administrative Law Judge's Decision. The decision of the

Administrative Law Judge shall be final unless the Board vacates his or her decision on appeal.

                (8) Appeals. Either party may file an appeal of the Administrative Law Judge's

decision with the Board. Such appeals are governed by Section 37.8(f) below.

     (h) Tenant Financial Hardship Applications.

                (1) A tenant may file a hardship application at any time on grounds of financial

hardship with respect to any rent increase based on certified costs of capital improvements,

rehabilitation work, energy conservation improvements, or renewable energy improvements.

Payment of such rent increase(s) set forth in the hardship application shall be stayed from the

date of filing until a decision is made on the Tenant Financial Hardship Application.

                (2) Hardship applications shall be available in multiple languages.

                (3) Multilingual notice of hardship application procedures shall be mailed with

each Administrative Law Judge or Board decision.

                (4) Within six months after February 21, 2003 the Rent Board shall implement a

process for direct outreach to landlords and tenants whose primary language is not English,

regarding availability and use of the hardship application procedure. Within three months of

implementation the Board shall provide a report to the Board of Supervisors regarding this

outreach program, describing the implementation process and any known results.

     (i) Tenant Financial Hardship Application Standards and Process.

                (1) Standards for Establishing Financial Hardship. A tenant will qualify under

Subsection 37.7(h) for relief from payment of a certified capital improvement passthrough, if the

tenant demonstrates that one of the following financial hardship situations applies:

                          (A) Tenant is a recipient of means-tested public assistance, such as

Social Security Supplemental Security Income (SSI), General Assistance (GA), Temporary

Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids

(CalWORKS); or,

                          (B) Gross household income is less than 80% of the current Unadjusted

Area Median Income (AMI) as published by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban

Development (HUD) for the “Metro Fair Market Rent Area” that includes San Francisco; and rent

charged is greater than 33% of gross household income; and assets, excluding non-liquid assets

and retirement accounts, do not exceed asset amounts permitted by the Mayor’s Office of

Housing when determining eligibility for below market rate (BMR) home ownership; or,

                          (C) Exceptional circumstances exist, such as excessive medical bills.

                (2) Procedures for Filing. A Tenant Financial Hardship Application must be filed:

                          (A) By each occupant in the unit who is 18 years of age or older, except

not by any subtenant who pays rent to the master tenant (the gross income of the master tenant

must include the amount of the subtenant’s rent payment);

                          (B) Under penalty of perjury, stating that the tenant qualifies under one of

the standards in Subsection 37.7(i)(1)(A), (B), or (C);

                          (C) With documentation demonstrating the tenant’s qualifications; and,

                          (D) With an acknowledgment that the Rent Board will provide a copy of

the Tenant Financial Hardship Application to the landlord.

                (3) Stay of Payment. Payment of a certified capital improvement passthrough

that is the subject of a Subsection 37.7(i)(1) Tenant Financial Hardship Application shall be

stayed from the date of filing until a decision is made on the Tenant’s Financial Hardship

Application.

                (4) Hearing Options, Decision.

                          (A) A decision on the Application will be issued administratively by a Rent

Board Administrative Law Judge unless a hearing is requested by the landlord within fifteen days

of the date the completed Tenant Financial Hardship Application is mailed to the landlord by the

Rent Board, or unless a Rent Board Administrative Law Judge otherwise determines that a

hearing is needed.

                          (B) Landlord Request for Hearing, Procedures.

                                    (i) A landlord’s request for a hearing on the Application shall

specify the claim(s) in the Application that the landlord disputes, and attach any relevant

documentation.

                                    (ii) A Rent Board Administrative Law Judge will review any

landlord request for hearing, to determine whether a hearing is necessary to resolve disputed

facts.

                                    (iii) If the landlord’s request for a hearing is granted, it will be the

landlord’s burden to demonstrate that the tenant’s financial hardship eligibility under Subsection

37.7(i)(1) criteria, as stated in the Application, has not been established.

                                    (iv) If it is determined that a hearing as requested by the landlord

is not needed to determine the facts, a decision on the Application will be issued administratively

by a Rent Board Administrative Law Judge.

                (5) Term of Relief. Relief from payment of a certified capital improvement

passthrough may be for an indefinite period, or for a limited period of time, all subject to the

landlord’s request to reopen the case if the landlord has information that the tenant is no longer

eligible.

                (6) Change in Tenant Eligibility Status. If a tenant is granted relief from payment

of a certified capital improvement passthrough under Subsection 37.7(i)(1), and subsequently

the tenant is no longer eligible for such relief:

                          (A) The tenant shall notify the Rent Board of this changed eligibility status

in writing within 60 days, with a copy to the landlord.

                          (B) Whether or not the tenant notifies the Rent Board and landlord as

provided in Subsection 37.7(i)(6)(A), the landlord may notify the Rent Board if the landlord has

information that the tenant is no longer eligible, with a copy to the tenant.

                          (C) Upon receipt of notice under Subsection 37.7(i)(6)(A) or (B), a Rent

Board Administrative Law Judge shall decide whether to grant or deny the previously granted

relief. That decision may be made administratively by a Rent Board Administrative Law Judge

without a hearing unless the Administrative Law Judge determines that a hearing is needed, or

unless the landlord requests a hearing. Any such hearing shall be promptly scheduled.

                (7) Any decision granting or denying the Tenant Financial Hardship Application,

or any subsequent decision on a previously granted Tenant Financial Hardship Application, may

be appealed to the Rent Board. The Rent Board’s final decision will be subject to judicial review

by writ of administrative mandamus in the San Francisco Superior Court.

     (j) Notice to Tenants Regarding Tenant Financial Hardship Applications. The Rent

Board shall provide written notice of the tenant financial hardship application procedures to each

affected unit, with a copy of the landlord’s petition for certification of capital improvement costs.