Chiosso Law, 201 Mission Street #1200, San Francisco, CA (2026)

09/02/2026

It used to surprise me how often I would hear about someone having problems that ultimately come down to having a bad landlord — someone who doesn’t care about their tenants or follow the law.

Landlords who knowingly or unknowingly rent out an illegal unit — like an apartment in or behind a garage that was built without permits. The unfortunate tenants end up exposed to leaks, mold, faulty plumbing or electrical problems. And when they ask the landlord about it, the landlord says, “If you don’t like it, you can just leave.” Or, they act like they’re doing the tenant a favor by adding, “I’ll let you out of the lease.”

If you know anyone facing that, have them call us. It usually takes sending in a building inspector to evaluate and document everything.

If you know someone struggling to get their landlord to take care of things, contact me at http://www.chiossolaw.com/contact.html.

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08/26/2026

I keep getting calls from renters with cases involving living conditions no one should be living in: mold, asbestos, getting electric shocks when they use their kitchen faucet, falling because stairs aren’t up to code, and many more difficulties.

There are a number of first steps to improve the situation, including documenting the problem by taking pictures and sending them to the landlord or property manager, and then calling a city or county inspector to visit when the landlord does not respond properly (or at all). We recommend tenants do that because, many times, it will push the landlord to take care of the problem, and not just put a Band-Aid on it.

If you’re in this situation, know you’re not alone — we’re here to help. Or share this with friends who are dealing with issues like these.

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08/19/2026

One of the types of clients I’m passionate about helping is tenants who find out they’re renting an illegal unit.

They do still have rights, so here’s what they need to know and do to protect themselves:

1. Know your rights. Even in an illegal rental, tenants often have rights under local, state, and federal laws. These can include the right to a safe and habitable living environment, privacy and protection from retaliation.

2. Is it habitable? The landlord is typically still required to maintain the rental unit in a habitable condition, even if the rental itself is illegal. This means addressing issues like plumbing, heating, electricity, and structural safety.

3. Retaliation is not OK. In many jurisdictions, landlords cannot retaliate against tenants for reporting unsafe conditions or illegal rentals to authorities. This includes protection from eviction, increased rent, or other forms of retaliation.

4. The legal eviction procedure. Landlords must follow legal eviction procedures. If they attempt to evict you without following these procedures, you may have grounds to challenge the eviction in court. So-called self-help evictions — such as changing locks or shutting off utilities — are usually illegal.

5. Security deposit rights. You are entitled to the return of your security deposit minus any lawful deductions for damages or unpaid rent.

If you know someone worried about living in an illegal unit, please share this with them.

08/12/2026

With children going back to school, some types of injuries become more prevalent.

There tends to be an increase in the number of school buses on the road, which can unfortunately lead to accidents and injuries involving students, pedestrians and other vehicles.

Other potential injuries can include slip and fall accidents on school premises, playground injuries, and sports-related injuries during physical education classes or sports activities.

If you know someone who’s been injured in an accident — like these or otherwise — contact me at http://www.chiossolaw.com/contact.html.

08/05/2026

PSA: Summer tends to be a more likely time for car collisions compared to other times of the year.

Here are a few reasons:
1. Heat-Related Issues: High temperatures can cause tire blowouts and other vehicle malfunctions. We’ve seen a handful of these around us during that recent heat wave.

2. Holiday Traffic: More people drive for holidays, which often entails more impaired driving due to celebrations. We still have Labor Day coming up.

3. Distracted Driving: With more recreational activities and distractions during the summer, drivers might be less focused on the road. That’s always a risk for more accidents.

If you know someone who’s been injured in an accident — like these or otherwise — contact me at http://www.chiossolaw.com/contact.html.

07/22/2026

It used to surprise me how often I would hear about someone having problems that ultimately come down to having a bad landlord — someone who doesn’t care about their tenants or follow the law.

Landlords who knowingly or unknowingly rent out an illegal unit — like an apartment in or behind a garage that was built without permits. The unfortunate tenants end up exposed to leaks, mold, faulty plumbing or electrical problems. And when they ask the landlord about it, the landlord says, “If you don’t like it, you can just leave.” Or, they act like they’re doing the tenant a favor by adding, “I’ll let you out of the lease.”

If you know anyone facing that, have them call us. It usually takes sending in a building inspector to evaluate and document everything.

If you know someone struggling to get their landlord to take care of things, contact me at http://www.chiossolaw.com/contact.html.

07/15/2026

A significant concern for many potential clients is whether they will have to go to court. I get to tell them good news: you won’t necessarily have to!

Many personal injury claims are settled out of court. My goal is always to secure the best outcome for you, whether that’s through a fair settlement or, if necessary, fighting in court.

Either way, like most personal injury attorneys, I work on a contingency fee basis. That means I only get paid if my client wins at their trial or settles their case.

If you know anyone who may find this helpful, please share it with them!

07/08/2026

"How much is my case worth?"

This is one of the other questions I almost always get when meeting with a potential client who has been injured. It’s a common question, and the answer isn’t always straightforward.

Some cases can be settled before a case is even filed with the court, while others require more time and effort to ensure fair compensation. It depends on the complexity of the case, whether the case goes to trial, what county your case is filed in, and the willingness of insurance companies to come to the table and negotiate the case in good faith.

From gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance companies, I fight for my clients every step of the way.

If you’ve been injured due to the negligence of another — or know someone who has — contact me at http://www.chiossolaw.com/contact.html.

07/03/2026

However you choose to celebrate tomorrow, we hope you have a safe and happy weekend!

Chiosso Law

09/02/2026

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