General Instructions for Filing a Rent Adjustment Petition:

Step 1: Prior to the submission of a Rent Adjustment Petition, it is recommended that all petitioners contact the Rent Program to speak with a Rent Program Services Analyst. The Rent Program Office is located on the second floor of 440 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond, CA 94804. Please call (510) 234-RENT (7368) to schedule a phone or in-person appointment. In addition, residents may seek free legal assistance with their petition at the weekly Housing Rights Clinic, held on Mondays from 9 AM - 12 PM at Catholic Charities of the East Bay, located at 217 Harbour Way, Richmond, CA 94804. Please call (510) 233-9954 to RSVP.

Step 2: Complete the Tenant or Landlord packet and applicable attachment(s).

Step 3: Serve a copy on all parties and complete the Proof of Service contained in the Tenant or Landlord packet.

Step 4: File an original copy with the Rent Program using one of the following methods:

• In person: Deliver to the Rent Program Office, located on the second floor of 440 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond, CA 94804, Monday -  Friday, 9 AM - 12 PM and 1 PM - 4 PM
• By mail: Mail to the City of Richmond Rent Program, Attn: Hearings Unit, 440 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 200, Richmond, CA 94804

Petition Forms

For Tenant Use: 

Tenant Petition Filing Instructions

Tenant Petition Packet (must be completed by all Tenants submitting a petition, in addition to the appropriate petition attachment)

Tenant Petition Attachments:

Attachment A: Excess Rent Due to Overcharges or Failure to Refund 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 or the Implied Warranty of Habitability

Attachment C: Reduction in Number of Tenants

Tenant Petition for Failure to Pay Relocation Payments

For Landlord Use:

Landlord Petition Filing Instructions

Landlord Petition Packet for Individual Rent Adjustment (must be completed by all Landlords submitting a petition, in addition to the appropriate petition attachment)

Landlord Petition Attachments:

Attachment A: Petition for Rent Increase under Fair Return Standard: Maintenance of Net Operating Income (MNOI)
                        Access the Capital Improvements Amortization Cost Calculator

Attachment B: Increase in Number of Occupants Allowed

Attachment C: Change in Space or Services

Attachment D: Restoration of Denied Annual General Adjustments (AGAs)

Request for an Administrative Determination of Exempt Status

Petition to Determine Exempt Status

Waiver of Right to a Hearing

Other Petitions

Petition for Initial Rent Determination (To Reset or Maintain the Initial Rental Rate)

Petition for the Determination of Occupancy Status

For General Use: 

Subpoenas and Subpoenas Duces Tecum

Proof of Service

Instructions for Filing an Appeal

Appeal of Hearing Examiner's Decision

Request to Expedite Hearing Process