Tenants Ramp Up Battle Against Notorious Landlord

Skyline tenants have been undergoing abuse for years, and in recent months a group of housing activists have been successful in bringing the issue to the forefront of the public debate. Following a three-part expose in the Bay Guardian, these activists are now taking their fight to the streets.

A central part of the campaign has been outlining Skyline’s most egregious practices to the public. Perhaps the most troubling practice revealed so far involves Skyline’s consistent strategy of purchasing a building, then working to empty it of its long-term tenants. Coercion, intimidation, and attempted buy-outs are all tactics employed by Skyline staff, used in the hopes of eliminating rent-controlled tenants to make a bigger profit on their newly vacated units.

In addition, Skyline tenants often live in units woefully far from being up to code. Pest infestations, leaks and peeling paint, among other issues, remain unaddressed for months if tenants do not seek help from an outside source.

Rather than beginning the campaign with a legislative solution, as most tenant-based campaigns are, organizers for the Skyline campaign hope to employ more labor-oriented tactics to kick things off. Using boycotts and events to raise public awareness about Skyline’s practices, participants in the campaign hope to reform the company without relying solely on City Hall.

Their fight is an important one, as in addition to likely being the worst landlord in San Francisco, Skyline is also the second biggest.

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