HomeRule

As of Oct 1, 2026Engine run

Sources retrieved Oct 1, 2026.

How much can my rent go up?

Cap the Annual General Adjustment at 5%City lawIn forceDepends on: Fully covered Berkeley rental units; the cap does not prevent use of banked AGAs to reach the rent ceiling.
Limit on rent increasesState lawIn forceDepends on: Applies to subsequent increases after an initial rental rate is established; subject to the statutory exceptions.

Minimum rent debt required for nonpayment evictionCity lawIn forceDepends on: Tenants in units fully or partially covered by Berkeley’s Rent Ordinance.
Pay adjusted standard relocation assistanceCity lawIn forceDepends on: Owner move-in evictions and evictions to remove a property from the rental housing market.
Just cause required for covered tenanciesState lawIn forceDepends on: Subject to the statutory exclusions and qualifying local-ordinance rules.

Security deposit interest coverageCity lawIn forceDepends on: The table marks the listed fully and partially covered unit types as covered for security deposit interest.
One-month security limitState lawIn forceDepends on: Conditions not extracted yet.

Maximum tenant screening feeCity lawIn forceDepends on: The document summarizes state and local screening-fee limits.
Limit on application screening feesState lawIn forceDepends on: Conditions not extracted yet.

Do not inquire about criminal historyCity lawIn forceDepends on: Berkeley rental housing; the summary lists exemptions.
Do not discriminate or harass in housingState lawIn forceDepends on: Conditions not extracted yet.

Prohibition on landlords using coordinated pricing algorithmsCity lawIn forceDepends on: Applies to coordinated pricing algorithms as defined in § 13.63.020 and to residential dwelling units in Berkeley.
Prohibition on algorithm use or distribution in a restraint of tradeState lawIn forceDepends on: Conditions not extracted yet.