Landlord Resources

resources from other City of Berkeley departments related to rental units

• Rental Housing Safety Program: Information about the program’s annual 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.
• Below Market Rate (BMR) Rental Information for Owners and Property Managers: Information on marketing BMR units to the public, setting eligibility criteria, and certifying tenants’ eligibility. The City’s Health, Housing, and Community Services Department oversees BMR units.
• 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.
• City of Berkeley Business Licenses: Most owners of residential rental property located in the City of Berkeley must have a business license and pay taxes on revenues. The City’s Finance Department oversees licensing and taxes.
• 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.
• Rodents & Pests: Berkeley property owners and managers can ask for services and consultation for issues with rodents, wildlife, and insects, particularly those which can transmit diseases.
• Berkeley Housing Authority (BHA): BHA administers the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, and other housing programs.
• Fair Access to Housing information: 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.

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. 

• Alameda County Superior Court Small Claims Court website
• California Courts Self-Help Guide: Small Claims in California