August 2021 News for Berkeley Property Owners & Housing Providers
State Rent Relief Program - A.B. 832
Under the extension of the Eviction Moratorium (A.B. 832), you may continue to apply for rent relief through Alameda County's website. Up to 100% of rent debt could be paid. Priority will be given to tenants whose incomes in 2020 was 80% or below AMI.
Exterior Elevated Elements (E3) Program
UIf you have a rental property with 3 or more units, you are subject to the E3 program for proper inspection of such elevated elements as decks, stairs, balconies, handrails and walkways. You must retain a licensed professional (see the list here) to inspect by March 31, 2022. You can learn more at the city's website.
MEMBER EDUCATION SESSION
Leasing Vacant Units in Today's Market
Rental housing has changed drastically since the beginning of the pandemic. Filling a vacant unit is no longer an easy task and currently has a lot of twists and turns. Com learn from an expert, how to be competitive in a market with a lot of vacant units and where tenants have top choice.
Thursday, July 22 - 3:00-4:00 pm
Members Only: Go to our calendar for the registration link.
ANNUAL REGISTRATION FEE WAS DUE JULY 1, 2021
The annual fee for fully protected (both rent-controlled and have eviction protections) is $250 per unit. The new registration fee for single family homes, some Accessory Dwelling Units and new construction (newer than 15 years) will be required for the first time this year to register and pay $150 per unit. Payments not made or postmarked by July 1 are subject to a 100% penalty. Learn more here.
Member Workshop
NEW! LANDLORD 101 MEMBER WEBINARS!
If you're new to landlording, a first time Berkeley landlord or someone who just needs a refresher course, our Landlord 101 series is for you! We cover a number of important subjects such as the lease package, evictions and tenant communication issues.
Check Our Calendar for Upcoming Webinars
Legislative News
EVICTION MORATORIUM INFORMATION
There are multiple Eviction Moratoriums in effect during this pandemic. Berkeley's Eviction Moratorium currently prohibits any type of eviction during the local state of emergency and dictates how rent not paid during the pandemic is to be handled. You can learn more here. The state's Eviction Moratorium (AB 3088 effective Sept 1 to Jan 31) has now been extended in AB 832 with an expiration date of September 30, 2021. This continues to defere the minimum 25% payment of deferred rent until then. BPOA is working to provide guidance as to how the state's extension interacts with our local Eviction Moratorium and when the moratorium may end. Check back to get the lastest on all the rules and regulations!
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! As of July 1, 2021 owners of SFR rentals will need to pay an annual fee to the Rent Board.
BECOME A MEMBER & GET ACCESS TO IMPORTANT FORMS AND INFORMATION!
2021 Annual General Adjustment (Rent Increase)
Each year, the Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board adopts the Annual General Adjustment (AGA). For the year 2021, eligible landlords are permitted to increase the 2021 permanent rent ceiling by 1.0%. 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. Rent increases are permitted during the Eviction Moratorium.
NEW BERKELEY REGULATIONS
Temporary Reduction in Rent Will Not Result in Impact to Rent Ceiling
If you have at tenancy in the first 12 months of the lease that started below September 9, and the tenant is asking for a rent reduction due to the current pandemic, you may reduce the rent temporarily, without impacting your rent ceiling. Learn more here.
Prohibition on Lease Break Fees (flat) and Roommate Replacement Fees
Effective May 13, you may no longer charge a flat fee if a tenant breaks a lease. You may not charge any fees related to roommate replacement/swap. You have the right to recover any costs associated with the breaking of a lease including leasing agent fees, advertising or lost rent.
Prohibition on Querying a Prospective Tenant's Criminal Background
Effective March 25 you may no longer ask about a prospective tenant's criminal background nor run a criminal background check. Doing so can subject you to heavy fines and posibble civil lawsuit. In the future, you will be required to notify all prospective tenants of this law. Click here to access our NEW! rental application in our Forms Library.
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
The Tenant Protection Ordinance prohibits illegal evictions through the use of fraudulent and/or misleading representations, intimidating conduct, and/or 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. Failure to include this notice is a defense to unlawful detainer (eviction). Download the notice from the form library. (Berkeley Municipal Code 13.79.060.)
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
