News & Events

MEASURE P PASSES IN RICHMOND, CA

The Richmond City Council placed Measure P on the November 8, 2022, ballot. A majority of Richmond voters passed the initiative, amending the Fair Rent, Just Cause for Eviction and Homeowner Protections Ordinance ("Richmond Rent Ordinance") to limit rent increases for regulated (rent-controlled) units to 3% or 60% of the Consumer Price Index, whichever is less. According to the Measure, the effective date is ten (10) days after the vote is declared by the City Council. At their meeting on December 20, 2022, the Richmond City Council declared the results of the General Municipal Election held on November 8, 2022.

Therefore, effective December 30, 2022, the 2022 Annual General Adjustment (AGA) of 5.2% shall no longer apply. Thus, during the phase-in period (beginning on the effective date of Measure P through August 31, 2023), no tenant's rent on a rent-controlled unit shall be higher than what it was on August 31, 2022, plus 3% increase. After the partial year of phase-in, the regular provisions of the amendment shall apply.

Measure P Information (PDF FILE) | Información sobre la Medida P (archivo PDF)

Access Measure P Initiative Submitted Directly to Richmond Voters

Questions? Call the Richmond Rent Program to speak with a Services Analyst by calling (510) 234-RENT(7368) or request an appointment by submitting an Appointment Request Form on our website at www.richmond.rent.org.

In addition, while keeping in mind the above information, to apply the 2022 Annual General Adjustment rent increase of 3.0%, Landlords must comply with State law requirements and file a notice of rent increase with the Rent Board within ten (10) business days after service on the Tenant in accordance with Regulation 603.

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ATTENTION LANDLORDS!

Deadline for filing MNOI Petitions with a Current Year of 2021 is December 31, 2022. Any Petition filed in 2023 will have a Current Year of 2022. For more information on Rent Adjustment Petition, visit the Petition Forms web page at the following link here.

Prior to filing a Petition, contact a the Richmond Rent Program to speak with a Housing Counselor. Schedule an appointment by calling (510) 234-RENT(7368) or submit an Appointment Request Form.

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Richmond City Council Amends Urgency Ordinance No. 02-21 (“Eviction Moratorium”) to Allow for Owner Move-In Evictions.

On October 25, 2022, the Richmond City Council amended Urgency Ordinance No. 02-21 to allow for Owner Move-In Evictions. Changes to the Eviction Moratorium may take effect starting November 25, 2022 (30 days after the second reading of the amended law).

Access the City of Richmond Urgency Ordinance No. 02-21 (“Eviction Moratorium”) (as Amended by Ordinance No. 13-22, adopted October 25, 2022)

For more information regarding applicable state and local laws in Richmond, access the Rent Program COVID-19 and Rentals: What Richmond Landlords and Tenants Need to Know Fact Sheet

NEW! Visit our COVID-19 Rental Related Information and Resources web page for more information concerning evictions and rent increases during the COVID-19 Pandemic

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Rent Board Receive 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 Rent Program Annual Report

At their meeting on November 17, 2021, respectively, the Rent Board received a presentation of the 2019-20 and 2020-21 Rent Program Annual Report. Section 11.100.060(e)(6) of the Fair Rent, Just Cause for Eviction, and Homeowner Protection Ordinance requires the Rent Board to report annually to the City Council on the status of rental housing covered by the Ordinance.

Read the 2019-20 & 2020-21 Rent Program Annual Report

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Rent Board Approves New Policy on Excess Rent Refunds

On June 19, 2019, the Rent Board rescinded Subsection (C) of Regulation 605, eliminating the requirement for Landlords to return excess rent via a cashier’s check with 10 days. In lieu of this requirement, and upon agreement of the Tenant, excess rent may be returned to the Tenant through the execution of a repayment agreement between the Tenant and Landlord, a reduction of Tenant’s rent until the amount is satisfied, the Landlord's partial payment of the amount owed combined with a reduction in rent, or other calculable forms of repayment. Under Section 11.100.100 of the Richmond Municipal Code, Tenants may not waive any provisions of the Rent Ordinance, which means that under any repayment plan, Tenants cannot waive or modify the amount of excess rent owed. The Tenant may only agree to modify the method and form of repayment. As is prudent practice, Landlords and Tenants are encouraged to document any agreement in writing and may request mediation through the Rent Program to facilitate an excess rent repayment agreement. Tenants who choose not to agree to a repayment plan, or whose Landlord fails to adhere to a previously agreed upon repayment plan, may file an Excess Rent petition with the Rent Program to compel the Landlord to refund any excess rent owed.