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1. Which properties are subject to the Rental Housing Fee?

Any property with a Rental Unit, as defined in Section 11.100.030 of the Fair Rent, Just Cause for Eviction, and Homeowner Protection Ordinance, is subject to the Rental Housing Fee. This includes units exempt from rent control but subject to just cause for eviction requirements, such as properties with one dwelling unit on one parcel, condominiums, and new construction.

2. How much is the Rental Housing Fee?

Each year, the Richmond City Council adopts the Rental Housing Fee for the upcoming fiscal year following a recommendation from the Rent Board. The amount of the Rental Housing Fee for past, current, and future years is contained in the table below.

Fiscal Year	Fully Covered Units	Partially Covered Units	Governmentally Subsidized Units
2021-2022 (Applicable to Rental Units rented or available for rent at any point between July 1, 2021 - June 30, 2022)	$218 per Rental Unit	$123 per Rental Unit	$123 per Rental Unit
2020-21 (Applicable to Rental Units rented or available for rent at any point between July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021)	$219 per Rental Unit	$124 per Rental Unit	$124 per Rental Unit
2019-20 (Applicable to Rental Units rented or available for rent at any point between July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020)	$212 per Rental Unit	$112 per Rental Unit	$112 per Rental Unit
2018-19 (Applicable to Rental Units rented or available for rent at any point between July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2019)	$207 per Rental Unit	$100 per Rental Unit	$50 per Rental Unit
2016-17 (Partial Year) & 2017-18 (Applicable to Rental Units rented or available for rent at any point between December 30, 2016 - June 30, 2018)	$145 per Rental Unit	$145 per Rental Unit	$145 per Rental Unit

3. How can I pay the Rental Housing Fee?

Landlords are encouraged to pay the Rental Housing Fee online at https://etrakit.ci.richmond.ca.us. Under the “Permits” heading, click, “Pay Fees.” Select your name from the “Contractor/Landlord Login.” Your password is the highest APN (parcel) number of all rental properties you own in the City of Richmond (first nine digits, no dashes.)

Alternatively, Landlords may send a check to the City of Richmond Rent Program, 440 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 200, Richmond, CA 94804. Please include your FRJC# and phone number on the check.

4. When is the Rental Housing Fee due?

Payment of the Rental Housing Fee is due (postmarked) within thirty-five (35) days of the date printed on the top of the invoice.

5. Does my Rental Unit qualify for the Rental Housing Fee for Governmentally-Subsidized Rental Units?

In order to qualify for the FY 2021-2022 Governmentally-Subsidized Rental Housing Fee, the owner must be participating in one of the following programs for the Rental Unit in question (see Regulation 202 for detail):

A. Rental units in which a tenant household holds a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher and where the rent not does exceed the Payment Standard as published by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. 

B. Rental units for which the rent is subsidized by the Project-Based Section 8 Program 

C. Rental units that are “rent restricted” in a Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program Project. “Rent Restricted” means the rent charged for the unit is affordable for a qualifying Tenant pursuant to the Regulatory Agreement. 

D. Rental units for which the rent is subsidized by the Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program 

E. Rental units that are “rent restricted” under a regulatory agreement between a governmental agency and a property owner. “Rent Restricted” means the rent charged for the unit is affordable for a qualifying Tenant pursuant to the Regulatory Agreement.

6. Are there penalties for late or nonpayment of the Rental Housing Fee?

Yes. Failure to pay the Rental Housing Fee before the filing of an Unlawful Detainer (eviction) lawsuit is a complete defense to an unlawful detainer (RMC 11.100.060(s)(3)).

In addition, the City Council adopted monetary penalties for late payment of the Rental Housing Fee, as shown in the table below. The City Council is also authorized to assess a lien on property where there are outstanding Rental Housing Fees (see Ordinance No. 16-17). Furthermore, Landlords with delinquent Rental Housing Fees may be referred to collections.

Days Late	Penalty (%)
1-30	10% of the Rental Housing Fee
31-60	25% of the Rental Housing Fee
>60	50% of the Rental Housing Fee

7. I recently purchased a rental property. Whose responsibility is it to pay the Rental Housing Fee?

The Rental Housing Fee is assessed to a Rental Unit, not the Landlord. The Rent Ordinance requires that all Landlords pay the Rental Housing Fee, and defines Landlords as including all successors of interest. As such, the owner on the property title, as recorded by the Contra Costa County Assessor, is responsible for paying the Rental Housing Fee, irrespective of when the property title was transferred.

8. Why is the Rental Housing Fee necessary?

The Rent Program is designed to be a cost-recovery department, meaning its operations will not require assistance from the City’s General Fund. Instead, the Rent Program will rely on the Rental Housing Fee to generate the funds necessary to provide services to landlords, tenants, and community members:

•    Counseling for Landlords, Tenants, and other community members in our office, over the phone, and by email – we are available Monday-Friday to answer any questions 

•    Monthly Community Workshops provide education to Landlords and Tenants about the requirements of the Rent Ordinance, Relocation Ordinance, and related policies and regulations

•    Print materials: PowerPoint presentations, notice templates, resource guides, fact sheets, etc.

•    Legal services referrals to community services agencies

•    A hearings and petition process (at no additional cost)

•    A mediation program (at no additional cost)

9. How was the amount of the Rental Housing Fee calculated?

The amount of the Rental Housing Fee is based on the annual operating budget adopted by the Rent Board.

Further reading: 2020-21 Rent Program Budget and Fee Study