Berkeley requires landlords of covered units to register annually with the Rent Stabilization Board, pay a per-unit fee, and comply with the Rental Housing Safety Program inspection cycle.
Under BMC Chapter 13.76 and the Rental Housing Safety Program (BMC Chapter 19.42), Berkeley landlords must register each covered unit with the Rent Stabilization Board and pay an annual registration fee (set yearly, typically paid by July). Units subject to rent control must also file initial and annual rent registration forms disclosing the base rent and tenancy details. The Rental Housing Safety Program additionally requires owners to complete a self-certification checklist covering smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, heating, plumbing, and structural safety, typically on a four-year cycle. Failure to register can bar landlords from increasing rent or pursuing evictions. The Rent Board publishes current fees and forms at rentboard.berkeleyca.gov, and the City also maintains a business license requirement for residential rental owners under BMC Title 9.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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