Legal

The Costa-Hawkins Act of 1996 is a critical law governing a local jurisdiction's power to enact rent control on certain rental units. It was originally written to exempt newly constructed units in an effort to encourage new construction and exempted any unit built after the inception of... Continue Reading

With competing ballot measures in Berkeley, tenants' advocates get their wish list passed. Continue Reading

California landlords can enter a tenant’s residence with a permissible purpose and with proper 24 hours’ notice, but sometimes this becomes a cat-and-mouse game. Landlord attorney, Daniel Bornstein, offers expert guidance on asserting your right to enter while respecting your renters' rights. Continue Reading

Starting July 1, 2024, California has decreased the amount you can charge a tenant for the security deposit. Continue Reading

An annual tax on property owners who keep a residential unit vacant for more than 182 days in a calendar year. Continue Reading

Daniel Bornstein's May 23, 2024, presentation -- in summary. Continue Reading

An April 2023 ruling by a federal appeals court said Berkeley's ban on natural gas was illegal Continue Reading

Recommended rental housing provider attorneys for our members Continue Reading

Required notice for advertising and lease packages Continue Reading

Bill Summary and FAQs: Senate Bill 91– Extends Statewide Tenant Eviction Protections Through June 30, 2021 (From January 31, 2021 Per Expired Assembly Bill 3088) Rental Assistance Funding Q: When will the $2.6 billion of rental assistance be available? When can I and/or my tenants apply? A:... Continue Reading

ASSEMBLY BILL 3088 - THE “TENANT, HOMEOWNER, AND SMALL LANDLORD RELIEF AND STABILIZATION ACT OF 2020” These frequently asked questions are provided under the advice of counsel. However, the City of Berkeley and the Rent Stabilization Board have not clarified how AB 3088 interacts with... Continue Reading

Notice to Tenants re: Soft Story Building This is to notify you that the building at ____________________________________, Berkeley, California is on the City of Berkeley’s Inventory of Potentially Hazardous Soft Story Buildings and may constitute a severe threat to life safety in the event... Continue Reading