Rental Property Rules in Berkeley, CA (2026)

California Civil Code § 1947.12 (AB 1482 Tenant Protection Act — statewide rent cap)

1947.12. (a) (1) Subject to subdivision (b), 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, of the lowest gross rental rate charged for that dwelling or unit at any time during the 12 months pri...

California Civil Code § 1946.2 (AB 1482 Tenant Protection Act of 2019)

1946.2. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, 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, which shall be stated in the written notice to terminate tenancy. (b) For purposes of this section, "just cause" means either of the following: (1) At-fault just ca...

California Civil Code § 1947.12(d) (AB 1482 exemptions from rent cap)

1947.12. (d) This section shall not apply to the following residential real properties: (1) Housing restricted by deed, regulatory restriction contained in an agreement with a government agency, or other recorded document as affordable housing for persons and families of very low, low, or moderate income. (3) Housing subject to rent or price control through a public entity's valid exercise of i...

California Civil Code § 1946.2(d) (AB 1482 — relocation assistance for no-fault evictions)

(A) Assist the tenant to relocate by providing a direct payment to the tenant as described in paragraph (3). (B) Waive in writing the payment of rent for the final month of the tenancy, prior to the rent becoming due. (3) (A) The amount of relocation assistance or rent waiver shall be equal to one month of the tenant's rent that was in effect when the owner issued the notice to terminate the te...

California Civil Code § 1950.5 (residential security deposits)

1950.5. (a) This section applies to security for a rental agreement for residential property that is used as the dwelling of the tenant. (b) "Security" means any payment, fee, deposit, or charge imposed at the beginning of the tenancy. (c) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), (3), or (5), a landlord shall not demand or receive security, however denominated, in an amount or value in excess o...

California Civil Code § 1946.2(b)(2) (AB 1482 — no-fault just cause)

(2) No-fault just cause, which means any of the following: (A) (i) Intent to occupy the residential real property by the owner or the owner's spouse, domestic partner, children, grandchildren, parents, or grandparents for a minimum of 12 continuous months as that person's primary residence. (v) Clause (i) applies only if the intended occupant moves into the rental unit within 90 days after the ...

California Civil Code § 1947.12(a), (d)(3), (k)(1)

(a) (1) Subject to subdivision (b), 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, of the lowest gross rental rate charged for that dwelling or unit at any time during the 12 months prior to the...

California Civil Code § 1940.2 (tenant anti-harassment, as amended by AB 291, 2017)

1940.2. (a) It is unlawful for a landlord to do any of the following for the purpose of influencing a tenant to vacate a dwelling: (3) Use, or threaten to use, force, willful threats, or menacing conduct constituting a course of conduct that interferes with the tenant's quiet enjoyment of the premises in violation of Section 1927 that would create an apprehension of harm in a reasonable person....

Berkeley Municipal Code § 13.31.020

It shall be unlawful for any person offering for rent or lease, renting, leasing, or listing any housing accommodation... to do or attempt to do any of the following: A. Refuse to rent or lease a housing accommodation... on the basis of source of income... D. To use a financial or income standard for rental housing that: 1. Privileges income earned directly by the tenant... over housing assista...

California Civil Code § 1946.2(f) (AB 1482 — required tenant disclosure)

(f) An owner of residential real property subject to this section shall provide notice to the tenant as follows: (3) The notification or lease provision shall be in no less than 12-point type, and shall include the following: "California law limits the amount your rent can be increased. See Section 1947.12 of the Civil Code for more information. California law also provides that after all of th...

Berkeley Municipal Code § 13.76.110(B) (Annual general adjustment of rent ceilings)

An upward general adjustment in rent ceilings does not automatically provide for a rent increase. Allowable rent increases pursuant to a general upward adjustment shall become effective only after the landlord gives the tenant at least a 30 days written notice of such rent increase and the notice period expires.

Berkeley Municipal Code §§ 19.40.050, 19.40.090

Habitable spaces shall be provided with heating facilities capable of maintaining a room temperature of 68° F at a point three feet above the floor in all habitable rooms... Hot water provided to plumbing fixtures shall be supplied at a temperature of not less than 110°F. ... Pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 17920.3 or its successor, any building or portion thereof including any dwell...