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Termination of Tenancy
Just Cause for Eviction Protections (R.M.C 11.100.050)
Landlords of Rental Units in the City of Richmond may only terminate tenancy if there is a "just cause" to evict. These reasons include:
- Failure to Pay Rent (considering the above information)
- Breach of Lease*
- Nuisance*
- Failure to Give Access*
- Substantial Repairs (temporary termination of tenancy)**
- Owner Move-In**
- Withdrawal from the Rental Market**
- Temporary Tenancy (note: applies to single-family homes and condominiums for a maximum period of up to twelve (12) months. The Landlord and Tenant must agree to the temporary tenancy at the start of the lease, and this agreement may not be renewed.) NOTE: Landlords must complete and file a Declaration of Temporary Tenancy with the Rent Program prior to the commencement of the Tenancy.
*Written Warning Notice Required
**Relocation Payment Required (See Richmond Relocation Ordinance web page for more information)
Written Warning Notice
If the Landlord is terminating tenancy due to the Tenant’s breach of the lease, if the Tenant is causing a nuisance, or is failing to give access to the Rental Unit, the Landlord MUST provide the tenant with a Written Warning Notice BEFORE they can proceed to terminate tenancy. The Written Warning Notice must give the Tenant the opportunity to fix the issue(s) described in the Warning Notice, and the Landlord must provide a reasonable amount of time for the Tenant to comply (RMC 11.100.050(d)).
Landlords are encouraged to refer to the document below, which contains an instruction sheet and Written Warning Notice Template. Landlords are welcome to use their own notice; however, the Template provided below meets all of the requirements of the Richmond Fair Rent, Just Cause for Eviction, and Homeowner Protection Ordinance.
Written Warning Notice (Spanish/English Version)
Written Warning Notice (English Version Only)
Written Warning Notice
File a Notice of Termination of Tenancy with the Richmond Rent Board
Within two (2) business days after service on the Tenant, a copy of the Notice of Termination of Tenancy and Proof of Service shall be filed with the Richmond Rent Board. Access the link below to file and complete the Notice of Termination of Tenancy Form online. Alternatively, for properties with five (5) units or fewer, a copy of the notice of termination of tenancy and proof of service may be filed by mailing a hard copy to the City of Richmond Rent Program, 440 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 200, Richmond, CA 94804. Other such requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
See Chapter 10 Regulations: Just Cause Required for Eviction
Termination of Tenancy Procedure
- Enroll. Complete a Property Enrollment form for each property with at least one Rental Unit, and Tenancy Registration forms for all tenancies in a Controlled Rental Unit (if required). For more information about Property Enrollment and Tenancy Registration, please visit the Enrollment and Registration webpage.
- Serve the Tenant Notification of Termination of Tenancy. Sample templates are available using the links above; Landlords may use their own notice as long as it includes the information covered in the template. Remember: if the just cause for eviction is substantial repairs, owner move-in, or withdrawal from the rental market, the tenant MUST be served the Notice of Entitlement to Relocation Assistance and the requisite Tenant Assertion Forms, all of which are provided in the templates.
- Within two (2) business days after service on the Tenant, complete the online Notification of Termination of Tenancy form: Notification of Termination of Tenancy and include a Proof of Service. Alternatively, for properties with five (5) units or fewer, a copy of the notice of termination of tenancy and proof of service may be filed by mailing a hard copy to the City of Richmond Rent Program, 440 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 200, Richmond, CA 94804. Other such requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.