information from other city of Berkeley departments related to rental units

• Affordable Housing Resources (includes Below Market Rate (BMR) unit info): Learn how to find and apply for affordable housing. Check the “Related…

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…

OVERVIEW Effective January 1, 2024, the City of Berkeley will tax owners of residential units that are vacant for more than 182 days, whether consecutive or nonconsecutive, in a calendar year. Periods of vacancy that qualify for one of several Vacancy Exclusion Periods do not count towards the 182 days.  Non-profits, and properties with 4 or fewer units occupied by an…

VACANCY EXCLUSION PERIODS OVERVIEWThere are nine Vacancy Exclusion Periods that do not count towards the Empty Homes Tax 182-day vacancy threshold:  

1. Building Permit Application Period
2. Rehabilitation Period
3. Disaster Period
4. Owner Death Period
5. Owner In Care Period
6. Homeowners’ Exemption Period
7. Lease Period
8. …

Announcements: FY 2025-26 Registration Fees Were Due July 1, 2025. The Rent Ordinance imposes a 100% penalty on payments not received or postmarked by the due date. For more information, contact the Registration Unit (see contact information at the bottom of this page).Government-Owned or -Subsidized Units Are Now Required to Register. …

OverviewRegistration includes:

• Unit registration--providing unit information and paying an annual fee for each unit
• Tenancy registration--registering each new tenancy in a unit within 15 days of the tenancy start date

OverviewBerkeley voters approved registration requirements for partially covered units by passing Measure MM in the November 2020 election. Registration includes:

• Unit registration--providing initial unit information and paying an annual fee for each unit
• Tenancy registration--registering each new tenancy in a unit within fifteen days of the tenancy start date, and providing an…

Recent Rent Board Regulation changesRegulation 1283 - Adopted to ensure continued landlord participation in Section 8 and Shelter Plus Care programs by allowing rent ceilings to increase up to the program-approved contract rent, where permitted by the administering agency and without increasing the tenant’s share of rent. Dated January 15, 2026Regulation 1148 -…

While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the Information provided, the Board is not responsible for any errors or omissions. Therefore, any information provided herein is for reference purposes only. Please contact our staff if you have any questions about a specific tenancy or the rights/responsibilities established by the Berkeley Rent Ordinance.Security deposit definition…

Generally, Berkeley’s rent control law governs rent levels; changes to existing rent levels based on changes in space, services, number of occupants, or a rental unit’s condition; security deposit interest; and good causes to evict. The local law does not address many other aspects of landlord-tenant relationships, such as privacy rights and noise complaints. Learn more in our Guide to Rent…