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…
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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…
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- 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…
Rent ceiling increasesRent ceilings may be increased by annual general adjustments or by amounts granted in an Individual Rent Adjustment (IRA) petition. California law requires a landlord to give a 30-day notice of rent increase if the increase is 10% or less of the current rent, and a 90-day notice for an increase of more than 10%.Annual General Adjustment (AGA)…
At its March 20, 2025, Regular Meeting, the Rent Board passed Resolution 25-04: Establishing the Registration Fee for Fraternities and Sororities for the Summer Rental Period During the 2025/2026 Fiscal Year. The fee is $96.If you have any questions or need further information, please contact Staff Attorney Ollie Ehlinger via email at OEhlinger@berkeleyca…