Richmond Rent Program

Richmond City Council Passes Temporary Moratorium on Certain Evictions of Residential Tenants in Richmond Impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic 

On March 23, 2021, the Richmond City Council adopted Urgency Ordinance No. 02-2021 ("Eviction Moratorium") establishing a temporary moratorium on certain evictions of residential tenants in Richmond through the state and local emergency and sixty (60) days thereafter. 

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

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH RENT PROGRAM STAFF!

We are now accepting requests for appointments over the phone and via Zoom. Click on the image titled, "Request an Appointment Here!" to complete and submit an intake form for an appointment with staff.

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

Para obtener información sobre este sitio web en Español, siga los siguientes pasos: 

  1. Presione en "Site Tools" en la parte superior de esta página web
  2. A continuación, presione en "Translate Page"
  3. Seleccione Traducción al "Español (Spanish)"
Rent Assistance Resource-English
Rent Assistance Resource-Spanish

​Physical Rent Program Office Closed Due to Shelter In Place Order Issued March 16, 2020


In accordance with the Shelter In Place Issued for Contra Costa County on March 16, 2020, the physical Rent Program office is closed for walk-in consultations and appointments.

Rent Program staff members remain available to assist members of the public by phone (510-234-RENT [7368]) and email (rent@ci.richmond.ca.us) during Rent Program business hours (Monday-Friday, 9 AM - 12 PM and 1 PM - 4 PM.)

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​Rent Program Mission Statement


The Rent Program was established in January 2017 following approval of the Richmond Fair Rent, Just Cause for Eviction, and Homeowner Protection Ordinance by a majority of Richmond voters in November 2016. The mission of the Rent Program is to promote neighborhood and community stability, healthy housing, and affordability for Richmond tenants through the regulating of those Landlord/Tenant matters that reasonably relate to rents and evictions, while maintaining a Landlord's right to a fair return.

Access the Rent Ordinance, Rent Board Regulations, and Related Laws

News & Events

Rent Board Adopts 2020 Annual General Adjustment in the Amount of 2.9% (Effective 09/01/2020)

At their meeting on June 17, 2020, the Rent Board adopted Regulation 608, establishing the 2020 Annual General Adjustment (AGA) rent increase for Controlled Rental Units in the amount of 2.9%. Rent increases for the 2020 Annual General Adjustment may not take effect prior to September 1, 2020.

The 2020 AGA may only be applied to tenancies in effect prior to September 1, 2019 and according to the City Attorney's Office, pursuant to Contra Costa County Urgency Ordinance No. 2021-04, Landlords of rent-controlled units may not increase the rent through June 30, 2021, with certain exceptions. During this time, we are directing Landlords and Tenants to refer to the new state law SB-91, specifically the COVID-19 Tenant Relief Act, which currently protects qualifying tenants from eviction for non-payment of rent through June 30, 2021.

In addition, while keeping in mind the above information, to apply the 2020 Annual General Adjustment rent increase of up to 2.9%, 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. 

Visit www.richmondrent.org/increase to access resources such as a notice of rent increase template, Maximum Allowable Rent Calculator, and more.

What’s the Annual General Adjustment?

The Annual General Adjustment (AGA) is an annual rent increase for Controlled Rental Units permitted by the Richmond Fair Rent, Just Cause for Eviction, and Homeowner Protection Ordinance. The Annual General Adjustment is calculated based on the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index of the Bay Area, which includes San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose.

Are Landlords Allowed to “Bank” Annual General Adjustment Rent Increases?

Yes, Landlords may apply deferred Annual General Adjustment rent increases; however, Rent Board Regulation 602 limits the amount of deferred increases that may be applied in any 12-month period. 

RESIZED 2020 AGA Announcement
RESIZED Spanish 2020 AGA Announcement

Bay Area Legal Aid Richmond Housing Rights Clinic Cancelled Until Further Notice

Bay Area Legal Aid cancelled the Richmond Housing Rights Clinic until further notice due to Coronavirus Precautions. Please call 510-250-5270 if you need legal advice. More information available in the flyers below.

Housing Clinic Cancelled English Opens in new windowHousing Clinic Cancelled Spanish Opens in new window

Rent Board and City Council Receive 2018-19 Rent Program Annual Report

At their meetings on November 20, 2019, and November 26, 2019, respectively, the Rent Board and City Council received a presentation of the 2018-19 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 2018-19 Rent Program Annual Report

Final Report 11_7_19_Page_01

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.

Contact Us


440 Civic Center Plaza
2nd Floor 
Richmond, CA 94804
Monday - Friday
9:00 am -12:00 pm
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

www.richmondrent.org
rent@ci.richmond.ca.us
510-234-RENT (7368) 
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