The Anti-Eviction Mapping Project (AEMP) is a counter-mapping, data analysis, and multimedia storytelling collective that documents and researches displacement struggles and creates tools for tenant resistance across the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and New York City. The Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board (Board) regulates residential rent increases in the City of Berkeley and protects…
With the recent increase in federal immigration enforcement officers in the Bay Area, it is more important than ever that Berkeley tenants and landlords are aware of their rights and the City of Berkeley’s commitments as a Sanctuary City. The City of Berkeley has a long and proud history of defending the rights of immigrants, refugees, and those seeking safety. This is more than a policy; it is a…
The Rent Stabilization and Good Cause for Eviction Ordinance requires owners to pay tenants relocation assistance in the event of an owner move-in eviction. The Ellis Implementation Ordinance requires the same relocation assistance payments for tenants evicted so the owner can remove a property from the rental housing market. Both ordinances index the relocation payments to inflation, and provide…
2025 Annual Security Deposit Interest Payments Are Due SoonTenants In Units Fully or Partially Covered By the Rent Ordinance Are Owed Interest on their Security Deposits at a Rate of 0.9%The Berkeley Rent Ordinance requires that landlords of fully or partially covered units…
Complete the 2025 Rent Registry Survey by December 14Help improve Rent Board services by taking our 5-minute survey. We are seeking feedback on your experience and familiarity with our online Rent Registry as Berkeley landlords, property managers, and tenants.If you have not used the online Rent Registry, we’d like to learn why. If you have used it, we’d like to understand what…
Tenants in fully covered units should have received their 2025 Notices of Apparent Lawful Rent Ceiling this week. Your Apparent Lawful Rent Ceiling is the maximum allowable rent that can be charged for your unit. Landlords may charge less than the rent ceiling but cannot charge more. Please note your 2025 Apparent Lawful Rent Ceiling does not include the 2026 …
Measure BB brought many Section 8 and Shelter Plus Care rental units under Rent Ordinance coverage for the first time. Rental units that are fully covered by the Rent Ordinance have a rent ceiling. A new regulation adopted by the Elected Rent Board allows…
The Rent Board has updated all petition forms to improve digital accessibility and simplify instructions for all parties involved. Additionally, at their March 2026 meeting, the elected Rent Board updated several key regulations (525, 1205, 1210, and 1242) to create more comprehensive e-filing processes for petitions—parties can now clearly designate if they would like to communicate with…
If you are experiencing an eviction during our office closure:Below are the holiday hours for our non-profit eviction defense partners:Eviction Defense Center (EDC) - (510) 452-4541EDC will be closed December 22, 2025 through December 26, 2025, reopening December 29, 2025 for emergency eviction assistance.East Bay Community Law Center (EBCLC) - (510) 548-…
The Berkeley Rent Board provides interpretation and translation to Berkeley tenants and landlords who need access to services in a language other than English. To make access easier, the Rent Board has launched a new Language Access Services webpage that…