Landlords and tenants can file a variety of petitions with the Rent Board. A petition starts a legal hearing process. After the petition is filed, the Rent Board will schedule a hearing where both sides can present their case with evidence. A hearing examiner will then issue a written decision on whether the claim(s) will be granted or not. Rent Board hearings are similar to, but less…

A tenant can file a petition to request a decrease to the maximum amount of rent that can be charged for a unit that is fully covered by Berkeley’s Rent Ordinance. Tenants can also ask for a refund of rent that was overcharged, or payment of overdue security deposit interest…

A landlord can file a petition to request an increase (or in rarer cases, a decrease) to the maximum amount of rent that can be charged for a unit that is fully covered by Berkeley’s Rent Ordinance. A  housing counselor can help you learn about the benefits and…

Give at least 30 days’ written notice of move-out

• A landlord does not have to return a security deposit, or any part of it, until all original tenants have permanently moved out. The last original tenant to leave must give at least 30 days' written notice that they will be leaving.
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Housing counselors can help you understand the rights and responsibilities outlined on this page, but cannot provide legal advice. In addition, Rent Board staff cannot provide technical assistance regarding forming and maintaining tenant associations.Properties Subject to the Tenant Right to OrganizeThe right to organize applies to tenants who live in properties that:

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Rent ceiling increasesRent ceilings may be increased by annual general adjustments or by amounts granted in petition for rent increase or decrease. 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)Each…

OverviewFor units fully covered by the Rent Ordinance, all housing services included in the base rent ceiling are considered regulated housing services and shall continue to be provided to tenants in the manner in which they were previously…

RENT STABILIZATION BOARD REGULAR MEETING MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2026 – 7:00 p.m.SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD ROOM – 1231 ADDISON STREET, BERKELEY, CA 94702TELECONFERENCE LOCATION – 2010 FIFTH STREET, UNIT 260, BERKELEY, CA 94710 Public participationThis meeting will be conducted in a hybrid model with both in-person and remote participation, and in accordance with Government Code Section 54953…

Our Rent Board Petitions page has information on the petitions and hearings process. FILING RULES Filing rules went into effect on June 16, 2025The…

Recent Rent Board Regulation changesRegulation 525, 1205, 1210 and 1242 - Adopted to permit service of petitions and notices by email, aligning the regulations with current practices and improving accessibility. The amendments also remove certain mailing requirements and establish guidelines for email service, including verification of valid email addresses. Dated March 23, 2026…