Tehama Street Tenants Sue Building Owner Over Water Damage

SAN FRANCISCO — Lawyers for more than 50 tenants of the building at 33 Tehama St. in San Francisco announced Monday that they're suing Hines Interests Limited Partnership over the developer's alleged mishandling of two massive water leaks which they say began in June.

Filed in San Francisco Superior Court, the suit alleges Hines violated laws in failing to properly maintain the property and repair the leaks in a timely fashion, which resulted in flooding.
Tenants say Hines acted in bad faith by failing to provide promised relocation and other expenses, failing to ensure safety in securing units and tenants' property during the repairs, and caused stress and discomfort to residents displaced by the leaks they say rendered the building uninhabitable.

Plaintiffs also allege contractors stole tenants' personal belongings when they were supposedly repairing the damage. They also allege identity theft due to Hines's negligence.

"Tenants still do not know if and when they can move back, and many no longer trust Hines even if they are permitted to return," the plaintiffs said, in a written statement.

The suit alleges that prior to the June leak and a subsequent leak in August, city records show several complaints — including ones about leaks — were made years prior.

Representatives of Hines said Monday they've paid approximately $13 million in expenses for tenants since the problems began, including accommodations, parking, per diem, and other expenses. They say they've put more than 100 workers on the job.

"Since the water intrusion incident in June, our staff has worked around-the-clock to assist the displaced residents with emergency and temporary relocation options" Hines said, in a statement. "We have provided our residents with temporary housing and funds for personal expenses. We have also worked tirelessly to repair the building, engaging leading experts to identify and address the building's mechanical problems.

"We deny the allegations pled in this complaint, and we believe that during the course of pretrial discovery the court and the public will understand the true extent of our efforts to help those that had to leave their homes during these unfortunate and unforeseen events," said Hines.

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