In a major crackdown on housing violations, San Francisco's City Attorney David Chiu scored a significant courtroom win against landlords cashing in on dangerous living conditions. The culprits, Naim and Sana Jamali, landlords of a property at 333 Randolph Street, were found guilty of multiple violations, including renting illegal and unsafe units to immigrant tenants, as reported by the City Attorney's office.
A lawsuit exposed how the Jamalis exploited the city's housing crisis, cramming tenants into squalid conditions unfit for living. According to a statement from the City Attorney's office, the building, zoned for four residential units, had at least 13 of its commercial spaces and basement rooms unlawfully occupied as homes. This arrangement netted the Jamalis thousands of dollars per month in rent.
The court's inspection found a hazardous maze of extension cords due to an inadequate electrical system—posing a serious fire risk. Other violations were just as severe, including the lack of fire escape routes, the absence of basic safety detectors, structural hazards, and unpermitted kitchens and baths. The City Attorney's office stated that “for years, these landlords put profit over the safety of their tenants,” with Chiu condemning the behavior as "unacceptable and illegal."
San Francisco Superior Court Judge Suzanne Ramos Bolanos issued an injunction compelling the landlords to rectify all code breaches and devise a plan to legalize the occupied spaces while ensuring tenant safety, the City Attorney’s office confirmed. Past lawsuits by tenants, many of whom are immigrants with limited English proficiency, allege they were knowingly lured into commercial leases by the Jamalis with a clear intent for the spaces to be used as residences.
The court's decisive action binds the Jamalis with an injunction for five years. San Francisco is slated to learn just how heavy the financial blow will be for the Jamalis in February 2024 when penalties are determined. The team behind this victory includes Morris Allen, Jennifer Choi, Wade Chow, Yvonne Meré, Megan Ryan, and Gloria Torres, who diligently worked on this litigation to hold the Defendants accountable for endangering lives at 333 Randolph.
