October 2019 News for Berkeley Property Owners & Housing Providers
MEMBER MEETING & WORKSHOP
Saturday, October 5, 2019, 9:30-11:30 am
TOPIC: Converting Debate Into Conversation: How Mediation Can Save in Legal Fees
Carole Conn, Director of Public Service Programs, The SF Bar Association
Are your tenants late in paying rent? Do they distub others with noise or violate guest rules? Come learn about the alternatives to demand notices and legal fees, with a discussion about how mediation can help any conflict. Even if you think mediation would never work with your tenants, you are guaranteed to learn something helpful!
St. John's Presbyterian Church
2727 College Avenue, Berkeley
9:30 am Coffee & pastries, 10:00 am Meeting and Workshop
2019 Annual General Adjustment (Rent Increase)
Each year, the Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board adopts the Annual General Adjustment (AGA). For the year 2019, eligible landlords are permitted to increase the 2019 permanent rent ceiling by 2.5%. This represents 65% of the increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for All Urban Consumers in the Bay Area. For more information, click here.
New Member Meeting & Workshop
Wednesday, September 25, 2019, 5:30-7:30 pm
(St. John's Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave.)
Rental Housing Provider 101: A Crash Course in Berkeley Rental Housing Regulations for New Members
Speaker: Krista Gulbransen, Executive Director
Come meet other new members to hear a presentation on what it means to be a rental housing provider in Berkeley. Whether you have a single family home or a multiunit property, you are a rental housing provider! We'll send you off with a packet of good reference materials, as well as provide you the opportunity to ask questions! PLEASE NOTE: while all members are welcome, this is an evening devoted to giving our newest members the opportunity to get their questions answered. If you are not a new member, you are welcome to join us and listen in!
RSVP REQUIRED. Contact us to RSVP. Curious about other workshops we offer? Check out our Events Calendar.
RENT BOARD REGISTRATION FEES WERE DUE JULY 1!
RENTAL HOUSING SAFETY PROGRAM SCHEDULE A INSPECTION DUE JULY 1!
The annual registration fee of $250 per unit is due to the Rent Board by 6:30 pm on July 1. You may pay in person or via credit card online. If you are late, there is a 100% penalty. Learn more here.
Annual inspection of your unit per the Rental Housing Safety Program is due on July 1. If you have not done an inspection of your unit for a year or more, or you have a recent new tenancy, you will need to complete a Schedule A form. Failure to do so could result in a $200 fine. ALL units in Berkeley are required to register and do an inspection.
Renting Out Your House
ARE YOU AN OWNER RENTING OUT YOUR SINGLE FAMILY HOME?
If you're renting out your single family home, you too are a landlord and are subject to rent regulations in Berkeley. Many owners don't realize the risk they take when renting out their home. Whether it's for 9 months or long-term, there are things you can't afford not to know. Your tenant has more control of your home than you know!
BECOME A MEMBER & GET ACCESS TO IMPORTANT FORMS AND INFORMATION!
Legislative News
LOBBYING AT THE STATE CAPITOL
In April, BPOA joined other small rental housing providers across the state for a day of meetings with state legislators. We had short conversations with key representatives, telling them about our experience and concerns in owning rental housing in California. Thanks to our lobbying firm Capitol Advocacy, we were able to meet with over 30 different legislators ahead of some important rental housing bills.
Watch a short video of our day at the Capitol
News & Research
The Latest News: Debunking Myths from the Rent Board
CASA (The Committee to House Bay Area) Compact, MTC's response to the Bay Area Housing Crisis, December, 2018
Why We Need a New Conversation on Rent Control in California, Terner Center for Housing Innovation, UC Berkeley, May 2018
Rental Glut Sends Chill Through Hottest U.S. Rental Markets, September, 2018
REQUIRED NOTICE: TENANT PROTECTION ORDINANCE
In March 2017, the City Council adopted the Tenant Protection Ordinance, Berkeley Municipal Code 13.79.060, to prohibit illegal evictions through the use of fraudulent and/or misleading representations, intimidating conduct, and coercive conduct.
The disclosure notice is required to be provided at the inception of any tenancy beginning after April 2017, and must be included with any eviction notice (This includes a 3-Day Notice). Failure to include this notice is a defense to unlawful detainer (eviction). Download the notice from the forms library and send it to ALL of your tenants TODAY!
Note:Please also find a Proof of Service in the forms libary.
Leases, Forms & More!
How complete is your lease package? Can you list all the state and local addendums required? Do you have the right lease that covers your for Berkeley?
Members always have access to our Forms Library You'll find everything you need to help guide you through renting your unit including leases, addendums, notices to tenants, guidance on problem issues, plus educational materials from previous workshops.
If you are not a member yet and would like to see a list of BPOA-maintained forms along with brief descriptions, you can do so here.
Too Much Stuff?
Some Tips on Helping Tenants
Who Hoard
