Berkeley's Tenant Protection Ordinance prohibits sixteen categories of landlord harassment, providing tenants with private right of action, treble damages, and Rent Board enforcement against displacement pressure.
BMC Chapter 13.79, adopted in 2014 and strengthened in 2020, defines harassment to include service interruptions, repeated buyout solicitations, threats based on immigration status, refusal to accept rent, and abuse of access rights. Tenants may sue in civil court for actual damages plus treble damages, attorney fees, and injunctive relief. The Rent Stabilization Board investigates complaints and issues administrative fines up to 1,000 dollars per violation per day. The ordinance reinforces Berkeley's 1971 sanctuary status by treating immigration-based threats as per se harassment.
Each harassment act exposes landlords to actual damages trebled, statutory penalties, attorney fees, and administrative fines, with civil remedies stacking atop Rent Board enforcement.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Alameda County.
See how other cities in Alameda County handle tenant anti-harassment.
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