You just made me chuckle. At least in SF, Landlords make great lawsuit targets. They have massive assets that are literally unmovable and unhidable. All land

You just made me chuckle. At least in SF, Landlords make great lawsuit targets. They have massive assets that are literally unmovable and unhidable. All land/building based financing is highly tracked and easily subpoenable. Just put a lien on the property and payment is pretty much guaranteed. Also damages can be astronomical. I've seen lawsuits end in 500K in damages for a single resident in a single rent controlled unit of a 2 unit building that was illegaly evicted. When you calculate the net present value of the rent control vs. market rent differential, that number is pretty much spot on. Lesson is: don't screw your tenant.