Complaint Review: AvalonBay Communities Inc.

I have lived in my apartment building in SF for 8 years and have diligently paid my rent each month and have been an excellent tenant.  AvalonBay Communities, Inc. acquired my building several years into my tenancy and they are the absolute worst, corporate landlords EVER!

I recently went out on short term disability and requested a 7 to 10 day extension to pay my rent while awaiting receipt of my disability benefits and a hardship disbursement from my 401K.  AvalonBay Communities, Inc. requested a letter from my 401K administrator to confirm that I had requested a hardship disbursement to pay my rent in full.  That same day, the administrator for my 401K provided the letter to AvalonBay Communities, Inc. and advised that the disbursement would be made in 7 to 10 days.  

I then received notice from AvalonBay Communities, Inc. advising that despite the foregoing and my unfortunate circumstances, that they do not grant extensions to anyone regardless of the circumstances and that now I must pay a set "legal fee" of an additional $540 or face eviction.  This is totally unacceptable and I believe it to be illegal in SF.  In essence their $540 "legal fee" is a usorous late fee, which I believe violates the law.