Next change: Jan 1, 2030 — rent increases: Ends: California limits yearly rent increases to 5% plus inflation, never more than 10%. Some buildings are exempt.
Law from: California› Alameda County› Berkeley
Inside Berkeley city limits — city and state rules apply.
“…an owner of residential real property shall not, over the course of any 12-month period, increase the gross rental rate for a dwelling or a unit more than 5 percent plus the percentage change in the cost of living, or 10 percent, whichever is lower…”
Unknown whether Cal. Civ. Code § 1947.12 covers this address: depends on whether the building is subsidised, the build date and whether the owner lives there (none is in the data); and on a condition in the text we can't check from the data ("Dormitories owned and operated by an institution of higher education o…"). Check whether the building has a subsidy or affordability restriction (city housing department) and the certificate-of-occupancy date (city building department or the landlord).
Not legal advice: what published rules say, not a decision on your case.
When can they end my tenancy?
Citywide Berkeley rule in force (Berkeley Municipal Code, Rent Stabilization and Good Cause for Eviction Ordinance); no building condition in it excludes this address.
State of California's rule (Cal. Civil Code § 1946.2) is replaced here by the city rule.
Quotes are verbatim excerpts from the source documents.
City of BerkeleyApplies
Minimum rent debt required for nonpayment eviction
“For a landlord to evict a tenant for nonpayment of rent, the tenant must owe an amount of rental debt equal to or greater than one month of the Fair Market Rent (FMR) value for a unit of equivalent size in the metro area Oakland-Fremont, CA HUD Metro FMR as determined by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development for the fiscal year in which the rent is demanded.”
“The Rent Stabilization and Good Cause for Eviction Ordinance requires owners to pay tenants relocation assistance in the event of an owner move-in eviction.”
“…after a tenant has continuously and lawfully occupied a residential real property for 12 months, the owner of the residential real property shall not terminate a tenancy without just cause…”
Covered by Cal. Civil Code § 1946.2, but the stricter local Berkeley Municipal Code, Rent Stabilization and Good Cause for Eviction Ordinance governs here.
Quotes are verbatim excerpts from the source documents.
City of BerkeleyApplies
Prohibition on landlords using coordinated pricing algorithms
“It shall be unlawful for a landlord to use a coordinated pricing algorithm described in subsection A when setting rents or occupancy levels for residential dwelling units in the City of Berkeley.”
Prohibition on algorithm use or distribution in a restraint of trade
“It shall be unlawful for a person to use or distribute a common pricing algorithm as part of a contract, combination in the form of a trust, or conspiracy to restrain trade or commerce in violation of this chapter.”
Not legal advice: what published rules say, not a decision on your case.
Moving in or out
How much deposit can they ask for?
Statewide California rule in force since July 1, 2024 (Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5(c)(1)); no building condition in it excludes this address, but the amount is not settled. Which amount applies depends on who owns the building (not in the data) and a condition in the text we can't check from the data. Check who owns the building, a person or a company (county recorder, or the owner named on the lease). Possible amounts: One month’s rent, in addition to any rent for the first month paid on or before initial occupancy. Or: Two months’ rent, in addition to any rent for the first month paid on or before initial occupancy. (The two-month limit does not apply if the prospective tenant is a service member. This exception does not apply to security collected or demanded before July 1, 2024.)
What we don’t know yet
An exception in the law’s text. Security deposit interest coverage: the rule has an exception our building records can’t check. The office below can tell you.
Who owns the building. The amount depends on this fact, which our data cannot establish.
Exception condition. Subparagraph (A) shall not apply if the prospective tenant is a service member.
Exception condition. This subdivision shall not apply to a security collected or demanded by the landlord before July 1, 2024.
Exception condition. a limited liability company in which all members are natural persons
Exception condition. collectively include no more than four dwelling units offered for rent
Exception condition. owns no more than two residential rental properties
Quotes are verbatim excerpts from the source documents.
State of CaliforniaApplies
One-month security limit
“…a landlord shall not demand or receive security, however denominated, in an amount or value in excess of an amount equal to one month’s rent…”
Statewide California rule in force since July 1, 2024 (Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5(c)(1)); no building condition in it excludes this address, but the amount is not settled. Which amount applies depends on who owns the building (not in the data) and a condition in the text we can't check from the data. Check who owns the building, a person or a company (county recorder, or the owner named on the lease).
Unknown whether Berkeley Rent Stabilization and Eviction for Just Cause Ordinance covers this address: depends on whether the owner lives there and whether the building is subsidised (neither is in the data); and on a condition in the text we can't check from the data ("Unit where the owner shares a kitchen or bath with the tenant if the o…"). Check whether the owner lives in the building (ask the landlord) and whether the building has a subsidy or affordability restriction (city housing department).
“The amount of the application screening fee shall not be greater than the actual out-of-pocket costs of gathering information concerning the applicant, including, but not limited to, the cost of using a tenant screening service or a consumer credit reporting service, and the reasonable value of time spent by the landlord or their agent in obtaining information on the applicant. In no case shall the amount of the application screening fee charged by the landlord or their agent be greater than thirty dollars ($30) per applicant.”
“This law prohibits people or entities that provide housing from discriminating against or harassing tenants, homeowners, residents, their guests, housing or mortgage applicants, home buyers, and others.”