Lease Renewals: Timing, Strategy, and the Ask That Matters

Lease renewals are one of the most important — and misunderstood — moments in a tenancy. In Berkeley, renewing a lease does not change just cause protections, but it does create real guarantees around income, expectations, and future planning.

In this one-hour Zoom seminar, Sam Sorokin will walk housing providers through the lease renewal process, focusing on when renewing makes sense, when it may not, and how to approach the renewal “ask” thoughtfully and lawfully.

Topics will include:

• What a lease renewal does — and does not — accomplish under Berkeley law

• The guarantees a renewal provides, and the trade-offs that come with them

• When remaining month-to-month may be the better strategic choice

• How timing affects renewal outcomes

• Common renewal mistakes and misconceptions

This session is designed for Berkeley housing providers who want clarity, intentionality, and fewer surprises when a lease term is ending.

About the Presenter

Sam Sorokin has worked in the Berkeley rental housing community for decades, advising housing providers on leasing strategy, tenant relations, and compliance under local rent and eviction controls. He is known for his practical, experience-based approach and for explaining how Berkeley’s rules operate in real life, not just on paper. Sam has led numerous educational sessions for local housing providers and is valued for his clear, no-nonsense guidance on lease structure, renewals, and long-term tenancy planning.