The Golden Duplex exemption is one of Berkeley's most valuable—and most misunderstood—rental housing exemptions. Learn who qualifies, how the exemption works, what can turn it on or off, and why the 1979 record matters. Continue Reading
Content Library
News, insights, and education for Berkeley housing providers
The Content Library is your go-to feed for everything BPOA publishes—from blog articles and webinar playbacks to announcements and member newsletters. If we’ve written, posted, or recorded it, you’ll find it here—organized by date, not topic.
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A qualifying 1979 record is one of the key requirements for a Golden Duplex exemption. Learn what the record shows, how it's used, and why it's an important part of your permanent property file. Continue Reading
Whether reported by a tenant or discovered during an inspection, termites, dry rot, carpenter ants, and powderpost beetles require prompt attention. Learn why early detection and investigation matter. Continue Reading
Not every additional occupant supports a rent increase. Learn when Berkeley landlords may petition for a 10% upward adjustment of the lawful rent ceiling, which family members are exempt, and why occupancy changes matter. Continue Reading
Playback of attorney Clifford Fried's June 11, 2026, webinar on nuisance tenants. Learn about Notices to Cease, documentation practices, curable versus ongoing violations, evidentiary considerations, and when nuisance activity may justify termination of tenancy. Continue Reading
Inside this issue: Capitol & Council; Landlords Want Pay for Pandemic Losses; Affordable Housing is Slipping Away; CalRHA Public Policy Update March 2026; The ChatGPT Tenant Letter Has Arrived; UCB to Promise Two Years of Student Housing; 10 Unintended Consequences of Rent Control; and more... Continue Reading
Read all of BPOA's 2026 newsletters in one place! Continue Reading
California's insurance market remains challenging for many rental housing providers. This article offers guidance, broker referrals, and consumer resources to help owners navigate non-renewals, coverage changes, and insurance options for rental properties. Continue Reading
Learn how to use the Visual Paradigm viewer for BPOA’s online newsletter (and affiliate newsletters): start in full screen, navigate pages, zoom up to 500%, switch layouts, read in text mode, download or print as a PDF, and use search, annotations, and audio features. Continue Reading
No, HUD did not eliminate emotional support animals. This article explains HUD's May 2026 memorandum, separates fact from fiction, and clarifies what Berkeley housing providers need to know before changing policies or practices. Continue Reading
Learn how to organize move-in and move-out photos using tools you may already have. This practical guide covers Google Drive, Google Photos, iPhone albums, cloud backups, photo organization, and documentation best practices for housing providers. Continue Reading
You followed your screening criteria, denied the application, and thought the matter was over — until the applicant accused you of discrimination. This article explores what investigators look for next, why consistency matters, and how documentation can become your strongest defense. Continue Reading