Content Library

Explore the key elements of rental housing compliance in Berkeley, including the rent stabilization ordinance and its laws. Learn about the registration process, rent ceilings, and eviction protections. Discover special exemptions like the golden duplex rule and the Costa Hawkins Rental Act and more Continue Reading

Not sure how to complete the “Just Cause and Rent Cap Disclosure” in your lease? This step-by-step guide breaks down Addendum No. 1, explains which laws apply to your unit, and clarifies when disclosures are optional versus required. Continue Reading

A beginners guide for Berkeley Rental Housing Providers Continue Reading

Don’t wait for the cancellation notice. Learn what proactive owners are doing to stay insured—and how to fight back if your policy is dropped. Continue Reading

Your digital shelf of 2025 BPOA newsletters—organized, archived, and always accessible. Continue Reading

New year, same questions. California’s security deposit law changed in 2024; are you in compliance? This 2025 guide explains what you can (and can’t) collect, how to handle “last month’s rent,” and how Berkeley’s local rules layer on top. Continue Reading

In this issue: Editorial by Dan Lieberman, Renting in a Softer Market, Part 1; Coalition Corner; Rent Control Creates Privileged Tenants; CalRHA Public Policy Updates; The Tenant Screening Trap; The Nuts & Bolts; CA City Wants an Anti-Housing Insurgency; No Vacant Unit Goes Untaxed; Events Calendar Continue Reading

Leasing or managing rentals in Berkeley? BPOA’s Realtor Membership gives you access to city-specific tools, updates, and support so you can navigate local rules, assist your clients confidently, and stay compliant in one of California’s most complex rental markets. Continue Reading

Planning to move into your Berkeley rental? There are only a handful of legal ways to regain possession from a tenant, and each comes with strict rules. Before you act, read our guide to avoid costly mistakes. Continue Reading

Berkeley rental units, including single rooms, must be inspected annually using the RHSP Checklist. Learn what’s required, how to give proper notice, and why it’s more than just a legal formality. Continue Reading

This article walks you through BPOA’s key forms used during the rental application process, what each one is for, when to use it, and how to stay compliant with California and federal law. Continue Reading

This article explains what qualifies as legal notice to vacate, when email might count, and how landlords can respond if tenants attempt to give notice outside the lease’s required format. Continue Reading