Prohibited conduct Passed by City Council in 2017, the Tenant Protection Ordinance (TPO) prohibits illegal evictions through the use of:

• Fraudulent and/or misleading representations
• Intimidating conduct
• Coercive conduct

Screening Fee The maximum tenant screening fee for 2025 is $66.92Landlords may use screening fees to obtain information about a prospective tenant like a consumer credit report. Prospective tenants should expect to receive a copy of their credit report within 7 days of receipt by the landlord, a receipt for the fee paid and an itemized list of any out-of-pocket expenses and…

Prohibition of lease termination fees (BMC 13.78.017) It is illegal to charge a tenant any fee for ending their tenancy before the expiration of their lease. However, landlords may still recover any charges, fees, or damages authorized under California Civil Code…

Our New Laws Affecting Rental Properties page has short summaries of new state (and local) laws affecting rental properties. From time to time the Rent Board provides additional information on particular state laws. Our current pages are:…

California Civil Code Section 1954.603 mandates that all landlords of all residential rental property provide to tenants written information about bed bugs and a procedure for reporting a suspected infestation. The law requires landlords to incorporate this information into all…

State and local law requirements for rental unitsUnder California Civil Code Sec. 1941.1, a rental unit is considered “untenantable” (unsafe for living) if it substantially lacks any of the following:

• Effective waterproofing and weather protection of roof…

This webpage discusses several important aspects of AB 1482, but does not cover every aspect and is not a substitute for reading the law itself, which can be found at California Civil Code sections 1946.2 and…

RENT STABILIZATION BOARD Regular Meeting Thursday, April 20, 2023 - 6:30 p.m. School District Board Room – 1231 Addison Street, Berkeley, CA 94702 PUBLIC ADVISORY: THIS MEETING WILL BE CONDUCTED IN A HYBRID MODEL WITH BOTH IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE AND VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION. For in-person attendees, face coverings or masks that cover both the nose and the…

RENT STABILIZATION BOARD Regular Meeting Thursday, February 16, 2023 7:00 p.m.   PUBLIC ADVISORY: THIS MEETING WILL BE CONDUCTED EXCLUSIVELY THROUGH VIDEOCONFERENCE AND TELECONFERENCE Pursuant to Government Code Section 54953(e)(3), City Council Resolution 70,030-N.S., and City of Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board (Rent Board) Resolution 21-29,…

RENT STABILIZATION BOARD Regular Meeting and Public Hearing Thursday, March 16, 2023 7:00 p.m. Berkeley Unified School District Board Room 1231 Addison Street, Berkeley, CA 94702 PUBLIC ADVISORY: THIS MEETING WILL BE CONDUCTED IN A HYBRID MODEL WITH BOTH IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE AND VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION. For in-person attendees, face coverings or…