Guide to Rent Control

The Guide to Berkeley's Rent Stabilization Program - Rent Control & Eviction Protection has been updated for 2013.  The link provided below is to a PDF copy of the published version, and is provided without hyper-links for your convenience while the website is updated.  You may obtain a copy of the printed version of the Guide to Berkeley's Rent Stabilization Program - Rent Control & Eviction Protection by calling the Rent Board offices at 510-981-7368.  We expect website updates to be completed in early April 2013. 

Guide to Berkeley's Rent Stabilization Program - Rent Control & Eviction Protection - 2013 Edition (PDF file)

The 2010 edition of the Guide to Rent Control is also avaliable in Spanish at www.cityofberkeley.info/rent/español

This guide is published to help landlords, tenants, property managers, realtors and prospective rental property owners understand how rent stabilization works in Berkeley. It explains the basic provisions of Berkeley's rent control law and how state law imposing vacancy decontrol fits into the local regulatory framework. The information in this guide is not intended to substitute for legal advice.

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.  Check Other Sources for listings of organizations that help resolve these kinds of problems.

You may obtain a printed copy of the Guide to Rent Control by calling the Rent Stabilization Board offices at 510-981-7368 or by e-mailing Rent@cityofberkeley.info. 

Guide to Berkeley's Rent Stabilization Program –
Rent Control & Eviction Protection
(updated for December 2010)

Chapters 1-3          Chapters 4-6

Table of Contents

January 2012 Update (PDF file)

1.  Overview

2.  Registration

Requirement to register

Exemptions

Consequences of failing to register

Other city of Berkeley requirements for landlords

3.  Rent levels

Calculating the lawful rent ceiling

Rent ceiling increases

Rent ceiling decreases

Hearings

Certification of rent ceilings

4.  Subletting and replacing roommates

Subletting generally

Replacement tenants

Partial turnovers in tenancies -- when a vacancy increase may be imposed

5.  Security deposits -- state and local law

State law regarding security deposits

Berkeley law regarding security deposits and interest on deposits

6.  Evictions

Proceed with caution

Eviction checklist -- local requirements

Good cause required

The eviction process

Improper landlord actions

Annual General Adjustments (AGA’s)

General calendar

Back to top          Chapters 1-3            Chapters 4-6