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Property Enrollment & Tenancy Registration
Landlords have specific requirements to stay in compliance with the Richmond Fair Rent, Just Cause for Eviction, and Homeowner Protection Ordinance ("Richmond Rent Ordinance"), including property enrollment, tenancy registration, and paying the Residential Rental Housing Fee(s) for each Rental Unit. Landlords not in compliance with the requirements under the Richmond Rent Ordinance may not qualify to raise the rent and may be unable to lawfully evict.
The City of Richmond is using a new system called Intuitive Municipal Solutions (iMS), which will allow community members, including Landlords, to submit applications ("Enrollment Forms") and make payments online by creating an account through iMS web portal. New users to the system will be able to apply for a business tax certificate, enroll rental units, register tenancies for rent-controlled units, report a concern/complaint, view property information, pay the City's associated fees, and more. For information on the new system, visit the iMS Help page. Specific Enrollment and Tenancy Registration information is available on the Enrollment and Registration web page.
Pay the Residential Rental Housing Fee
Landlords subject to the Richmond Rent Ordinance shall pay the Residential Rental Housing Fee for each Rental Unit. Fully Covered Units (Rent Control & Just Cause for Eviction Protections) pay the full fee. Partially Covered Units (Just Cause for Eviction only) pay a lower fee. Rental Housing Fees are due within 30 days of the invoice due date, otherwise, late fees will apply.
Landlords shall be aware of other applicable fees to residential rental properties in Richmond. Below is the City of Richmond FY 2024-2025 Fee Summary for each department's associated fee and contact information.
Termination of Tenancy ("Just Cause for Eviction Protections")
No landlord shall take action to terminate any tenancy without citing one of the following Just Cause for Eviction Protections:
- 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 Section 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 and individual rent adjustments (increases or decreases in rent) through a petition process. Landlords of a rent-controlled unit may file an upward rent adjustment (rent increase) petition pursuant to Rent Board rent adjustment regulations. A Rent Board Hearing Examiner may order a rent increase for the following reasons:
- Attachment A: Landlord seeks a fair return on investment in terms of maintaining net operating income
- The deadline for filing the Maintenance of Net Operating Income (MNOI) Petition for a Current Year of 2025 is December 31, 2026. Any petition filed on or after January 01, 2027, will have a Current Year of 2026.
- Attachment B: Increase in the number of tenants
- Attachment C: Change in space or services
- Attachment D: Annual General Adjustments have been deferred
- Attachment E: Increase in Security Deposit Due to Addition of Pet(s)
A Rent Adjustment Petition packet must include the Landlord Petition Packet for Individual Rent Adjustment, in addition to the appropriate petition attachment(s). If the Landlord Petition Packet for Individual Rent Adjustment and attachments are not filed, you 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.
Stay Informed!
Sign up for our email listserv for up to date information about the Richmond Rent Program: Email Listserv. Resources
Landlords are required to provide tenants with a copy of the Richmond Rent Program Brochure at the commencement of tenancy and with each notice of rent increase (RMC 11.100.060(g)).