April 2020 News for Berkeley Property Owners & Housing Providers
COVID-19 GUIDANCE
The City of Berkeley has ordered all residents to shelter in place, leaving only to receive or provide essential services. We know you may have many questions about how this impacts rental housing Berkeley. The Berkeley Renter's Relief Fund can be accessed here. You can access our COVID-19 Guidance page.
MEMBER MEETING & WORKSHOP
APRIL 4th MEMBER MEETING - CANCELLED
Due to the City's shelter in place order for COVID-19, we have cancelled our monthly memberhip meeting.
Please join us at our next meeting on Wednesday, May 13 at 6:00 pm
POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE!
CalRHA Legislative Days - April 14 & 15, 2020 - Sacramento
Join other BPOA members in meetings with our legislators at the State Capitol. Come share your experience as a small rental housing provider and network with other owners like yourself. Contact BPOA to RSVP or for more information.
2020 Annual General Adjustment (Rent Increase)
Each year, the Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board adopts the Annual General Adjustment (AGA). For the year 2020, eligible landlords are permitted to increase the 2020 permanent rent ceiling by 2.1%. 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.
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
STATE WIDE RENT CAP & EVICTION PROTECTIONS
In October, Governor Newsom signed into law the "Tenant Protection Act of 2019." AB 1482 puts a statewide rent cap and eviction protections for tenants in place. So how does this new law effect Berkeley? Berkeley's current rent control and eviction protections were gandfathered in, so there are very few units that will be impacted by AB 1482. If you'd like to learn more, or if you have a property in a city where AB 1482 will apply, you can read the AB 1482 FAQ on the CalRHA website.
Learn more about the impact of AB 1482
RENT BOARD REGISTRATION FEES 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, regardless of whether it is rent controlled or not.
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
