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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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
Governor Newsom Unveils Proposal to Cut Red Tape and Fast-Track Housing & Development; Press Statements: SB 436 and 522; Notice to CA Rental Housing Providers: Two Initiatives to Strengthen Prop 13 Submitted; Building Housing in Walkable Neighborhoods: Are US Cities & States Making Progress? & more Continue Reading
Step-by-step guidance for using BPOA’s Change in Terms form to raise rent on certain non–rent-controlled units, like single-family homes, condos, and new construction. Covers notice periods, lawful use, and limits under Berkeley’s Just Cause protections. 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
Cleaning deductions must be reasonable. Landlords may charge if the unit was returned excessively dirty—but not just because it isn’t professionally cleaned. This section explains when cleaning charges are justified and how to document them properly. Continue Reading
The City of Berkeley requires seismic retrofits for certain buildings that are especially vulnerable during an earthquake. If you own a rental property that falls into one of the categories below, you may be subject to mandatory retrofit requirements. Continue Reading
Thinking about offering your tenant money to move out? Berkeley has strict rules governing buyout agreements, and even small missteps can make the deal unenforceable. Learn what disclosures are required, how long tenants have to change their minds, and why legal guidance is essential. Continue Reading
