Fox

Landlord John V. Fox appeals from the denial of his petition for writ of mandamus following the decision of the San Francisco Residential Rent Stabilization and Arbitration Board (Board) limiting rent increases to certain tenants. We affirm the judgment for the reasons which follow.

Factual Background

Fox purchased the 12-unit building at 3320 Octavia Street in November 1981 and promptly instituted substantial rent increases.

In January 1982, the tenants’ challenge to all but one of the proposed increases was upheld by the Board’s hearing officer because rent increases had been received within the previous year.

In June 1982, another hearing was held on landlord’s petitions filed by Fox for rent increases for seven of his tenants.

On August 17, 1982, following remand to the hearing officer for technical corrections, the Board reissued the hearing officer’s initial June decision allowing rent increases for those tenants who had not received increases during the previous 12 months, subject to the limits prescribed under the Board’s rules and regulations, as reflected in the margin.

Fox again appealed that decision to the Board alleging “extraordinary circumstances”…