Tenant Resources
Resources for tenants in the City of Berkeley and beyond.
information from other city of Berkeley departments related to rental units
- Affordable Housing Resources (includes Below Market Rate (BMR) unit info): Learn how to find and apply for affordable housing. Check the “Related Documents” section for the latest list of properties with Below Market Rate (BMR) units. The Health, Housing, and Community Services Department oversees BMR units.
- Housing Retention Program: Information on eligibility requirements and applying for financial assistance for those at risk of losing their housing due to nonpayment of rent or other fees owed to their landlord.
- Rental Housing Safety Program: Information about the program’s annual landlord fee, a rental unit owner’s obligation to perform annual safety inspections, and proactive inspections of randomly selected properties by the City. The Planning Department oversees the Rental Housing Safety Program.
- Housing Code Enforcement Inspections: Information on requesting an inspection by the Planning Department to assess a property or unit’s compliance with housing code requirements.
- Tenant Relocation for Repairs: Learn when and to what extent a landlord must assist a tenant with relocation while a unit is being repaired. The Health, Housing, and Community Services Department administers the City’s Relocation Ordinance.
- Rodents & Pests: Learn how to ask for services and consultation for issues with rodents, wildlife, and insects, particularly those which can transmit diseases.
- Short-Term Rentals: Learn about the limits and requirements for using a unit as a short-term rental, including the process for obtaining a mandatory Zoning Certificate from the Planning Department.
- Berkeley Housing Authority (BHA): BHA administers the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, and other housing programs.
- Apply for Affordable Housing Preferences: Information about eligibility and the application process to receive affordable housing preference. This program gives people who have lost or are at risk of losing housing in Berkeley priority when new affordable housing units become available.
- Fair Access to Housing: Learn about laws protecting housing seekers from discrimination based on protected characteristics (such as race or disability and criminal history).
- Prohibition against housing discrimination based on source of income (BMC Chapter 13.31): Read the text of Berkeley’s law prohibiting housing discrimination based on source of income, which includes any lawful source of income or rental assistance from any Federal, State, local or non-profit-administered benefit or subsidy program including, but not limited to, the Section 8 voucher program.
- City of Berkeley Health, Housing and Community Services Department (HHCS): HHCS is responsible for producing, preserving, and supporting affordable housing for Berkeley residents. Divisions include Public Health, Mental Health, Housing and Community Services, Environmental Health, and Aging Services.
- Seniors: Learn about services for Berkeley community members who are 60 and over, as well as people who have disabilities.
Alameda County
- Shelter & Housing Services
- Season of Sharing (SOS) program: SOS Provides one-time crisis assistance for housing and critical family needs to Alameda County residents. Grants are based on meeting certain criteria and need. Assistance is not guaranteed. For more information, see the SOS website or call the automated pre-screening line at (510) 272-3700.
- Alameda County Housing Portal: Search for affordable housing listing in Berkeley and throughout Alameda County.
Small Claims Court
The Rent Board’s petition process is only available to fully covered units, and some issues related to rental housing cannot be resolved by a Rent Board petition. Landlords and tenants may opt to pursue matters outside the Rent Board’s jurisdiction in small claims court.
