About/Contact Us
We implement Berkeley’s Rent Ordinance, which regulates most residential rents in Berkeley, gives tenants protection against unwarranted evictions, and is intended to maintain affordable housing and preserve community diversity.
The Rent Stabilization Board has nine elected commissioners. The Board directs policy, enacts regulations, hears petition appeals, and oversees a program to implement Berkeley’s Rent Stabilization and Eviction for Good Cause Ordinance. Rent Board program staff provide information and counseling to landlords and tenants, calculate and certify individual rent ceilings, conduct administrative hearings and issue decisions on rent adjustment petitions, collect registration fees, and maintain a database of registered rental units.
Mission: To regulate residential rent increases in the City of Berkeley, protect against unwarranted rent increases and evictions, and provide a fair return to property owners. The Board works to ensure compliance with legal obligations relating to rental housing, and to advance the housing policies of the City with regard to low- and fixed-income persons, minorities, students, persons with disabilities, and the aged.
Our offices are CLOSED to the public on all Wednesdays. If you have an emergency associated with an eviction, please call the Eviction Defense Center at (510) 452-4541. If you have an emergency related to an unlivable condition in your rental unit, please call the Rental Housing Safety Program at (510) 981-5444 to request an inspection.
See our Services During COVID-19 page for information on service changes during COVID-19.
Contact
Department Hours
M, T, Th, F: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
DéSeana Williams
Executive Director
