RENT STABILIZATION BOARD Regular Meeting Thursday, December 16, 2021 7:00 p.m. PUBLIC ADVISORY: THIS MEETING WILL BE CONDUCTED EXCLUSIVELY THROUGH VIDEOCONFERENCE AND TELECONFERENCE Pursuant to Government Code Section 54953(e) and City Council Resolution 70,030-N.S., this meeting of the City of Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board (Rent Board) will be…
Mediation is a non-adversarial and informal method of dispute resolution where a neutral third party helps the landlord and tenant resolve problems. Mediation can cover a wide variety of topics, but both sides must agree to mediate. The process is voluntary, and any resolution requires the parties to agree; no decision is imposed on them. If no agreement is reached, the parties may pursue other…
How Can a Housing Counselor Help You?Housing counselors provide free information to tenants, landlords, realtors, and other parties about their rights and responsibilities as they relate to Berkeley’s Rent Stabilization and Eviction for Just Cause Ordinance. Counseling is non-advocacy and non-directive, meaning counselors do not take sides in disputes, argue a client’s case…
What is mediation?Mediation is a process in which a mediator (a neutral third party) tries to help two parties create their own solution to a dispute. The mediator does not impose a solution or make decisions for the parties.Who can use the Rent Board's mediation services?Landlords and tenants in rental units that are:
- Fully covered by Berkeley’s Rent…
Housing counselors offer workshops and webinars on a wide range of topics each year. Counselors also participate in local events around Berkeley and offer events for the CAL community. See our calendar of upcoming events for more information. Interested in requesting a presentation by the Berkeley Rent Board’s public information unit for your…
- The City of Berkeley's website (berkeleyca.gov) web servers and City-contracted vendor servers are maintained for the exclusive use of the City of Berkeley staff in communicating matters of general public interest via the Internet. While the City attempts to keep berkeleyca.gov accurate and timely, the City neither warrants nor makes representations or endorsements as to the…
Most of the 29,000 rental units in the City of Berkeley are covered by some portion of the Rent Stabilization and Eviction for Good Cause Ordinance (the Rent Ordinance). There are over 20,000 rental units in Berkeley with regulated rents. Since January of 1999, landlords have had the right to set the initial rent for new tenancies, and subsequent rent increases in units fully covered by the Rent…
Full Coverage
- Your rent is controlled and your rent ceiling can only be raised by an Annual General Adjustment (AGA).
- The landlord must have one of the "just causes" to evict stated in the Rent Ordinance to lawfully terminate your tenancy.
- You have a right to interest on your security deposit.
- Most multi-unit properties in Berkeley that were built…
Tenant screening and application fee limitsLandlords can charge prospective tenants a screening or application fee, but there are limits to how much. Prospective tenants should receive a copy of their credit report if the landlord obtained one, a receipt showing the cost of the screening, and a refund of any unused portion of the fee. For more information, including the current screening fee…