News & Events

Rent Board Adopts Amendment to Regulation 309, Extending the Time Allotted for Public Comment by Two Minutes

At their regular meeting on July 19, 2023, members of the Rent Board approved an amendment to Regulation 309 to provide additional time for members of the public to provide public comment on an item presented to the Rent Board.

The time allowed under the current version of Regulation 309(A)(11) of 2 minutes (for 15 or fewer speakers on an item) is extended to 4 minutes; the time allowed of 1 and a half minutes (for 16 to 24 speakers on an item) is extended to 3 and a half minutes; and the time allowed of 1 minutes (for 25 or more speakers on an item) is extended to 2 minutes.

These times shall be doubles for any public speaker that requires interpretation.

City Council Approves Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Rental Housing Fee

At their meeting on June 27, 2023, the Richmond City Council adopted the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 (July 1, 2023- June 30, 2024) Rental Housing Fees in the amount of $220 for Fully Covered Rental Units and $125 for Partially Covered Rental Units.

To Pay Online: • If Paying by credit card a 2% processing fee will be added.

Step 1: Go to: https://etrakit.ci.richmond.ca.us
Step 2: Select your name from the "Contractor/Landlord/Utility Login" drop down menu. Usernames are organized by last name first
Step 3: Your password is listed on your invoice in the "PAY ONLINE" section at the bottom left side of the page

To Receive an Invoice by Email:

All Landlords will be mailed a hard copy invoice; however, you may also request your invoice annually each fiscal year by sending an email to rent@ci.richmond.ca.us. Please include in the Email subject line the following, "FRJC# or Rental Unit Address- INVOICE REQUEST."

For more information and FAQs about the Rental Housing Fee, please visit the Billing page on the Rent Program website or contact the Rent Program office by calling (510) 234-RENT(7368) or send an email to rent@ci.richmond.ca.us. To schedule an appointment to speak with a Rent Program Housing Counselor, you may submit an Appointment Request Form.

Rent Board Adopts 2023 Annual General Adjustment in the Amount of 3.0%

(Effective 09/01/2023)

At their meeting on June 26, 2023, the Rent Board adopted Regulation 612, establishing the 2023 Annual General Adjustment (AGA) rent increase for Controlled Rental Units in the amount of 3.0%. Rent Increases for the 2023 AGA may not take effect prior to September 1, 2023.

In addition, while keeping in mind the above information, to apply the 2023 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.

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.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

_______________________________________________________________

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.