Rent Increase Information

The Berkeley Housing Authority (BHA) policy permits an owner/agent to receive one rent increase per year per unit, provided: (1) The request is supported by a rent reasonableness determination; (2) unit meets Housing Quality Standards (HQS); (3) The rent increase will be effective after the first year of the lease.

All proposed rents must be reasonable and comparable to other unassisted rents of like properties in the neighborhood. Rent reasonableness is defined as rents that do not exceed the rents charged for comparable, unassisted units in the same market area.

The Berkeley Housing Authority (BHA) will conduct a rent reasonableness review on each request to determine if it can be approved based upon specific comparable data and HUD’s rent reasonableness criteria.

NOTE: The unit remains exempt from registration, payment of fees, rent ceilings and rent increases under the Berkeley Rent Control Ordinance as long as the contract rent does not exceed the Payment Standard. 

Rent Increase Informational Notice

To begin the rent increase process, you must provide the following documents:

1. A notice to the BHA of any proposed change in the amount of the rent to the owner at least sixty days before proposed changes go into effect. The notice must include the following information:

   1.  Tenant Name

   2.  Tenant Address

   3.  Effective date of proposed change

   4.  Signature of owner or agent

2. Provide a written copy of the “Notice of Intent to Increase the Rent” that was served to your tenant at least sixty (60) days in advance with the following:

   1. Address the notice to the tenant/head of household.

   2. Include the complete property address, including apartment number if applicable.

   3. Indicate the effective date of the increase.

   4. State the proposed rent amount.

   5. Ensure the notice is signed by the owner or agent and dated.

   6. Include a copy of the written notice provided to your tenant stating the property’s exemption under AB 1482.             

3. A completed Unit Characteristics Survey. The Unit Characteristics Survey provides specific information about the property to assist in making the most informed rent reasonableness determination. 

Staff will review your rent increase to ensure compliance with AB 1482.  However, it remains the Landlord’s responsibility to ensure that the rent increase aligns with AB 1482 regulations.

Staff will confirm whether the unit is fully or partially covered by the Rent Ordinance. 

Updated 11/6/2025:

Fully Covered units: The rent cannot be raised above the unit’s rent ceiling. To learn more about rent ceilings, please visit the Rent Board’s website.

Partially Covered units: Under AB 1482, rent increases will be limited to 5% plus the local Consumer Price Index (CPI) or 10%, whichever is lower. The rate of inflation will be tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in each metropolitan area which is currently at 6.3%.

Upon receipt of all required information (via mail, fax or email), the rent reasonableness determination will begin. We will promptly inform both you and the tenant of BHA’s decision upon completion of the determination. Please allow for a processing period of up to 60-days.

Please submit the required documents to:

Berkeley Housing Authority
1947 Center Street, Fifth Floor
Berkeley, CA  94704

Attn: Rent Increase Request