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
Current owner occupancy keeps the Golden Duplex exemption active. Learn what documents to retain, why they matter, and how to create a permanent file supporting your property's exempt status. Continue Reading
Golden Duplex owners use the same BPOA Residential Lease Package as other Berkeley housing providers. Learn how the Lease Package Guidance Document helps you tailor it to your property's exempt status. Continue Reading
Does adding an ADU or another legal dwelling unit eliminate a Golden Duplex exemption? Not necessarily. Learn how Rent Board Resolution 17-12 treats additional legal units and why the exemption remains tied to the original qualifying units. Continue Reading
Exempt from Berkeley's Rent Stabilization Ordinance doesn't mean exempt from all rental housing laws. Learn which requirements still apply to Golden Duplex properties. 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
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
Help new tenants understand Berkeley's Zero Waste program from day one. This article includes a printable move-in guide explaining what belongs in the compost, recycling, and landfill carts, along with practical tips to reduce contamination, overflowing carts, and disposal issues. Continue Reading
Inside this Issue: Policy Brief: The Gas Appliance Ban; Op-Ed: Government Gets Air Conditioning Wrong; Top Housing Challenges Facing the Next Administration; Op-Ed: A New Eviction Moratorium; and more... Continue Reading