Chinatown SRO Landlords Fined $810K for Violations

The owners of three single-room occupancy hotels in San Francisco's Chinatown have been ordered to pay $810,000 in fines and are required to address significant health and safety violations. This legal settlement stems from a 2023 lawsuit filed by City Attorney David Chiu against landlords Jeff Appenrodt, Shailendra Devdhara, and Kamlesh Patel, who were accused of maintaining slum conditions. The properties, located at 1449 Powell St., 790 Vallejo St., and 912 Jackson St., were found to have violations such as broken plumbing, exposed wiring, infestations, and unsanitary facilities. While Appenrodt and Devdhara are primarily responsible for $780,000 in fines related to the Powell Street property, Patel is liable for $30,000 related to the other two locations, which he acquired in 2023. The settlement highlights the city's commitment to enforcing tenant rights and ensuring safe living conditions. City officials praised the efforts of tenants and community advocates in bringing these issues to light.