Tenants
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Termination of Tenancy ("Just Cause for Eviction Protections")
No landlord shall take action to terminate any tenancy without citing one of the following "Just Causes to Evict."
- Failure to Pay Rent
- Breach of Lease
- Nuisance
- Failure to Give Access
- Owner/Relative Move-In
- Withdrawal from the Rental Market (Ellis Act Eviction)
- Temporarily Vacate due to Substantial Repairs
- Temporary Tenancy
Failure to comply with the Richmond Rent Ordinance may be an affirmative defense to an Unlawful Detainer. Landlords are required to file a copy of any eviction notice along with a Proof of Service with the Rent Program within two (2) business days of having served the tenant. More information is available on the Termination of Tenancy web page.
Rent Control & Maximum Allowable Rent (MAR)
The Richmond Rent Ordinance regulates the rent of properties under Rent Control, which includes properties with more than one dwelling unit on one parcel built before February 1, 1995. The Annual General Adjustment ("AGA") is the allowable rent increase for rent-controlled properties. The AGA may go into effect one full calendar year after the start of the tenancy. The AGA may then apply to that tenancy on or after September 1 of each year.
The AGA is approved and announced no later than June 30th of every year by the Richmond Rent Board. Landlords may apply the AGA on or after September 1 of the year following the notice requirement under CA Civil Code 827, and filing a copy of the Notice of Rent Increase with the Rent Program within 10 business days upon service to the Tenant. Templates and additional information are available on the Rent Increase web page.
Terms to Know
A measurement of the average change over time in the prices of goods and services determined by the federal government. Rent may be increased by 3% or 60% of the CPI, whichever is less.*
*Due to the passage of Measure P during the 2022 General Election, the AGA is no longer calculated at 100% CPI but rather, 60% of CPI or 3%, whichever is lower.
Access Measure P Initiative Submitted Directly to Richmond Voters
Rent Adjustment Petition Process
Under the Richmond Rent Ordinance, rents are regulated through an Annual General Adjustment (AGA) and individual rent adjustments (increases or decreases in rent) through a petition process. Tenants living in a rent-controlled unit may file a downward rent adjustment (rent reduction) petition pursuant to Rent Board rent adjustment regulations. A Rent Board Hearing Examiner may order a rent reduction and a retroactive rent refund for the following reasons:
- Attachment A: Excess rent due to overcharges or an increase in security deposit
- Attachment B: Excess rent based on overpayment due to the condition of the rental unit and/or reduction in rent due to decrease in space/services; substantial deterioration; failure to provide adequate services; failure to comply with codes of the Implied Warranty of Habitability.
- Attachment C: Reduction in Number of Tenants
A Rent Adjustment Petition packet must include the Tenant Petition Packet for Multiple Grounds, in addition to the appropriate petition attachment(s). If the Tenant Petition Packet for Multiple Grounds and attachments are not filed, your submission may be considered incomplete.
Prior to filing a Rent Adjustment Petition, contact the Richmond Rent Program to speak with a Housing Counselor. You may schedule an appointment by calling (510) 234-RENT(7368) or submit an Appointment Request Form.
Questions may also be submitted via email to rent@ci.richmond.ca.us.