City agencies are supposed to be accountable through independent oversight by the City Auditor. Despite decades of city audits, in the Rent Stabilization Board’s 45-year history, there has never been a city audit of its function.

Over the past three years, rent board fees increased approximately 38% (from $250 to $344 per unit) with a 100% late penalty. The staff expanded to more than 25 employees, and the board relocated to a larger, higher-rent office. At the same time, petitions can take an inordinate amount of time to process, in-person file review is no longer allowed, and staff continue to report being overwhelmed.

In 2024, the City Auditor identified a rent board audit as a top priority. It was later described as a 2025 priority. Most recently, it appears on a 2026 priorities list. Housing providers fund this program, so a timely, independent audit is overdue and essential.

How You Can Help

Please send a brief message urging the City Auditor to follow through and complete the audit.

• Email: JWong@BerkeleyCA.gov
• Phone: (510) 981-6750
• Optional CC (to help track outreach): krista@bpoa.org

You can copy the sample email below, then personalize the message by adding your experiences with the Rent Board.

Desktop/Laptop: Click the button to copy → then paste into your email with Ctrl+V (Windows) or Command+V (Mac).

📱 On a phone: If pasted text shows %20 instead of spaces, first paste into a notes app (Apple Notes, Google Keep, Samsung Notes, etc.), then copy/paste into your email.

Subject: Please Audit the Rent Board

Dear Auditor Wong,

As a Berkeley property owner, I am deeply concerned about the growing inefficiencies and rising costs of the Rent Stabilization Board. Fees have climbed dramatically, staff has been expanded, and yet core services of the program have deteriorated.

In 2024, you publicly stated that an audit of the Rent Board was one of your top priorities. We were later told it would be addressed in 2025. Today, nearly two years later, no audit has been conducted. The lack of follow-through undermines confidence in the city’s oversight.

The Rent Board spends property owners’ funds with little accountability. And an independent audit is not just overdue, it is essential. We need transparency on how our money is being spent.

Please follow through and complete the audit without further delay.

Sincerely,
(Your Name)
    

Thank you for adding your voice. There is strength in numbers. With your support, we can secure independent oversight and transparency for Berkeley’s rental housing community.