• The elected Rent Board has formed and maintains a number of committees with specific subject matter focus. Most committees meet monthly with ad hoc committees meeting on an as-needed basis. For information on each committee’s scope, membership and to view past agenda materials, please visit the committee’s…

Fully covered residential rental units have a “lawful rent ceiling” The lawful rent ceiling is the maximum amount of rent that a landlord can charge for the use or occupancy of the unit. When a new tenancy begins, the initial rent (also called base rent), establishes the lawful rent ceiling. The base rent includes all housing services provided when that rent was established.   The…

If you are a tenant and have concerns or issues with the fire safety of your building or unit, visit the City’s Fire Prevention page to:

• File a complaint or request a fire safety inspection. You may make an anonymous complaint if you do not wish to identify…

This page contains information that must be regularly updated, and is necessary to complete some less commonly used petition forms. Please see the sections below for the supplemental information necessary to complete the following forms:

1. Landlord Schedule G
2. Application for…

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…