A Brief History

The Berkeley Property Owners Association (BPOA) emerged in 1980 as a resilient response to the groundbreaking Berkeley Rent Stabilization and Eviction for Good Cause Ordinance—an unprecedented rent control law in its time. Born from over a decade of activism that saw Berkeley housing providers challenging and dismantling the very first rent control law in 1972, the need for a dedicated trade association became apparent by 1980.

The eighties marked a chapter of significant victories, including court challenges leading to landmark decisions (hello, Searle and Levin Zemel), and legislative triumphs like the Petris bill rectifying historical rent discrepancies and addressing rent board abuses. The 1989 city elections witnessed the establishment of Berkeley's first and only "balanced" rent stabilization board.

In the nineties, BPOA's focus shifted again to Sacramento with the passage of the Costa-Hawkins Housing Act. That law, which ended extreme 'vacancy control' statewide, was significantly influenced by BPOA's advisor, Greg McConnell.

In 2015, BPOA established the Berkeley Rental Housing Coalition (BRHC) as its political and legal arm. Advocating both politically and legally on behalf of rental housing providers in Berkeley, the BRHC fights battles at a separate cost from your BPOA membership. However, it's important to note that BRHC membership automatically includes BPOA membership. So, when you join the BRHC, you're not only strengthening the political and legal front but also gaining all the benefits of BPOA membership as part of the package.

As we fast forward to the present, BPOA's membership has swelled, breaking records each year. In an era where rental housing laws grow increasingly complex and challenging, BPOA stands as a beacon—a one-stop shop for owners seeking clarity and solutions. The legacy continues to unfold, with BPOA at the forefront of safeguarding the interests of rental housing providers in Berkeley.