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Lease Terms in Berkeley After Measure BB: What Happens Now?
Lease Terms in Berkeley After Measure BB: What Happens Now?

Measure BB changed the rules for Berkeley landlords: you can no longer require tenants to sign a new lease at the end of a fixed term. This article explains what happens when a lease ends, how auto-renewal and lease extensions work under the new law, and your options for lawful rent increases. Continue Reading

Postedby BPOA Master
Date posted05/1/2025


How to Price Your Rental (When No One Can Tell You What to Charge)
How to Price Your Rental (When No One Can Tell You What to Charge)

"How Should I Price My Rental?" Members often ask us how much they should charge for rent. While it's a natural question, it's important to understand that we cannot provide specific rental pricing or share what other members are charging. That could be considered collusion, which is illegal... Continue Reading

Postedby BPOA Master
Date posted05/1/2025


Handling Mold Reports in Your Rental Property: A Step-by-Step Guide
Handling Mold Reports in Your Rental Property: A Step-by-Step Guide

Received a mold report? Don’t panic! This step-by-step guide walks you through seven essential steps to properly assess, address, and prevent mold issues—keeping both your property and your residents protected. Continue Reading

Postedby Tiffany Van Buren
Date posted03/1/2025


Animals in Rental Housing: Understanding Pets, ESAs, and Service Animals
Animals in Rental Housing: Understanding Pets, ESAs, and Service Animals

Pets, ESAs, & Service Animals - What's the difference, and when can you charge fees? This article breaks it down in clear, everyday language designed to be accessible to rental housing providers, even if they’re not legal experts. Continue Reading

Postedby BPOA Master
Date posted01/1/2025


What Landlords Need to Know About Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) in Berkeley
What Landlords Need to Know About Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) in Berkeley

Use the table inside to understand what’s allowed, what’s required, and how to stay compliant when a tenant requests to live with a service animal or ESA. Continue Reading

Postedby BPOA Master
Date posted01/1/2025


Roommate Changes in Rent-Controlled Properties
Roommate Changes in Rent-Controlled Properties

If you rent to students, at some point, you’ve likely had to deal with roommate changes or the last-minute addition of a roommate to the lease. It’s stressful business, both for the property owner and the resident. Maybe the Original Tenants can’t agree on signing a lease... Continue Reading

Postedby Tiffany Van Buren
Date posted08/1/2023


Wear and Tear Comparison Guide
Wear and Tear Comparison Guide

Use this guide to help distinguish between tenant-caused damage (deductible) and normal wear and tear (not deductible). This is a reference tool—not a complete list. Continue Reading

Postedby BPOA Master
Date posted07/11/2023


"When Will I Get My Security Deposit?"
"When Will I Get My Security Deposit?"

It doesn't matter how bold of a typeface I use or that I have residents sign their initials next to the paragraph explaining the security deposit accounting and return process; regardless of this, one-third of departing residents will email me a few days after they've moved out to ask, "When will... Continue Reading

Postedby Tiffany Van Buren
Date posted07/1/2023


Photographing Your Rental Property: Tips for Getting the Best Pics
Photographing Your Rental Property: Tips for Getting the Best Pics

People spend more time interacting with marketing ads featuring photography. Research has proven that ads without photos = ads without views! In this article, the BPOA's deputy director shares her tricks and tips for getting great pics with a smartphone! Continue Reading

Postedby Tiffany Van Buren
Date posted05/1/2023


Preparing Your Residents for Power Outages
Preparing Your Residents for Power Outages

A handy "Power Outage Preparedness" checklist for you to pass on to your residents. Better education leads to better planning on their part and means less calls to you asking, "Why is my power out?" or "When will my power be back on?" Continue Reading

Postedby Tiffany Van Buren
Date posted04/1/2023


What the Heck is Pre-Screening and What Type of Questions Should I Ask?
What the Heck is Pre-Screening and What Type of Questions Should I Ask?

You Got an Inquiry — Now What?Your rental ad is finally getting some attention — great! If you've received inquiries, strike while the iron is hot. Respond to each one within 24 hours. Any delay could cost you a qualified applicant or leave a bad impression. Whether you follow up by... Continue Reading

Postedby Tiffany Van Buren
Date posted03/1/2023


Can "Porch Pirates" be Thwarted?
Can "Porch Pirates" be Thwarted?

What You and Your Residents Can Do to Safeguard Parcels from Package Theft. Continue Reading

Postedby Tiffany Van Buren
Date posted02/1/2023