Joseph Tobener is a partner at Tobener Ravenscroft. An attorney for more than fifteen years, Mr. Tobener draws on his specialized tenant law expertise to provide caring, easy-to-understand, and aggressive assistance to a diverse clientele. He has represented thousands of Bay Area residents on tenant law issues and earned millions on behalf of his clients. He has appeared on KALW and KQED and was featured in the SF Bay Guardian, the Daily Journal, and California Lawyer. Cases he has successfully litigated have been featured in the San Francisco Chronicle, the New York Times, Reuters, and Wired. His clients have included countless lawyers, high-tech executives, mobile home residents, the San Francisco Tenants Union, and several art collectives. One of his passions is working to preserve artist live/work housing. He also worked for Home Base, a homelessness law nonprofit and has been an adjunct professor at San Francisco State University and UC Hastings. The firm is dedicated to employee activism, and sponsors each of its lawyers to volunteer weekly in the community at housing rights nonprofits, donating nearly 500 attorney hours each year.
EDUCATION
JD, UC Hastings College of Law MS, San Francisco State University BA, University of California, Los Angeles
In 2017, the City of Santa Cruz adopted a temporary freeze of certain rent increases in hopes of alleviating exorbitant increases, and it adopted a temporary just cause for eviction ordinance to prevent unjust evictions—both laws have since expired. After the expiration of these laws, a Rent Control and Tenant Protection Act was placed on […] Read More
The City of Santa Monica has a long history of strong tenant protections. Santa Monica’s rent control and eviction control laws were enacted in 1979. And, almost a decade ago, eviction protections were extended to non-rent controlled properties. Santa Monica has also adopted an anti-harassment law, amended its relocation assistance ordinance, and adopted many anti-discrimination […] Read More
The Town of Fairfax is one of the most recent places to put into place additional protections for its renters. In 2019, the town adopted a just cause for eviction ordinance and a mandatory mediation ordinance for certain rent increases. Town of Fairfax Just Cause For Eviction Ordinance Effective March 6, 2019, landlords may […] Read More
As a renter, you have certain rights granted by state law and your lease. Signing a lease on a new apartment is usually a positive experience. Like all properties, though, rental units have the potential to come with common problems such as noisy neighbors, property damage, or even mistreatment or discrimination from your landlord. When any of […] Read More
After losing friends and loved ones in the Oakland fire that killed 36 people, many artists living in the city’s warehouse communities fear a coming crackdown on the roll-your-own spaces that they call home — but may not be legal housing. https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Why-Oakland-warehouse-fire-could-cause-more-to-10784722.php Read More
The City of Alameda’s Rent Stabilization Ordinance has been repealed, and a new ordinance has been enacted. The City of Alameda Rent Control, Limitations on Eviction, Relocation to Certain Displaced Tenants Ordinance was adopted September 3, 2019. Alameda, Cal. Mun. Code § 6-58.10. The ordinance may be referred to as the City of Alameda Rent […] Read More
Union City’s Residential Rent Review Ordinance, And Residential Landlord And Tenant Relations Ordinance Union City is one of the growing number of jurisdictions to adopt local ordinances to protect its renters. The Residential Rent Review Ordinance entitles tenants to a mandatory review of rent increases above a certain amount. And, the Residential Landlord and Tenant […] Read More
If your landlord is threatening to move into your Oakland apartment or threatening to move in a relative into your Oakland apartment, here is a step-by-step guide on how to fight back! 1. Determine if your Oakland building has just-cause eviction protections. Your building is covered by the Oakland Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance if […] Read More
When can a tenant repair and deduct? Under California law, a tenant is allowed to repair and deduct. Civil Code § 1942. However, this remedy should only be used where the tenant meets all the requirements of the repair and deduct statute. If a tenant repairs and deducts without following the strict guidelines of California’s […] Read More
You may be able to file a lawsuit against your landlord for illegally collecting late fees. If you are a California tenant fighting an exorbitant late fee Contact Us Are late-fee clauses illegal in California residential lease agreements? Many landlords place clauses in their lease agreements that require tenants to pay a set fee if […] Read More
Joseph Tobener is a partner at Tobener Ravenscroft. An attorney for more than fifteen years, Mr. Tobener draws on his specialized tenant law expertise to provide caring, easy-to-understand, and aggressive assistance to a diverse clientele. He has represented thousands of Bay Area residents on tenant law issues and earned millions on behalf of his clients. He has appeared on KALW and KQED and was featured in the SF Bay Guardian, the Daily Journal, and California Lawyer. Cases he has successfully litigated have been featured in the San Francisco Chronicle, the New York Times, Reuters, and Wired. His clients have included countless lawyers, high-tech executives, mobile home residents, the San Francisco Tenants Union, and several art collectives. One of his passions is working to preserve artist live/work housing. He also worked for Home Base, a homelessness law nonprofit and has been an adjunct professor at San Francisco State University and UC Hastings. The firm is dedicated to employee activism, and sponsors each of its lawyers to volunteer weekly in the community at housing rights nonprofits, donating nearly 500 attorney hours each year.