Richmond Rent Program

City of Richmond Issues Supplemental Order Prohibiting Rent Increases and/or Evictions for Residential and Commercial Rental Units

The Director of Emergency Services issued a Fourth Supplemental Order, effective July 14, 2020, and ratified by the City Council on July 21, 2020, which extends the prohibition on certain types of evictions to residential and commercial Tenants through September 30, 2020. The Order also prohibits rent increases on residential properties with more than one dwelling unit that were constructed before February 1, 1995 (including LIHTC properties). (NOTE: restrictions on rent increases do not apply to properties with one dwelling unit on one parcel, permitted dwelling units constructed after February 1, 1995, Project-Based Section 8, Section 202, and Public Housing Units). Please contact the Rent Program at 510-234-RENT or rent@ci.richmond.ca.us if you have any questions about whether a unit is subject to the rent increase restrictions.

Access the Revised Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Rentals: What Richmond Tenants and Landlords Need to Know Fact Sheet (English & Spanish)

Access the Letter Template for Tenants to Inform Landlords of Their Inability to Pay Rent Due to the Financial Impacts of COVID-19 (English)

Access the Letter Template for Tenants to Inform Landlords of Their Inability to Pay Rent Due to the Financial Impacts of COVID-19 (Spanish)

If you have any questions about the Supplemental Order, please contact the Rent Program at 510-234-RENT(7368) or rent@ci.richmond.ca.us to speak with a Housing Counselor.

Supplemental Order Post_English
Supplemental Order Post_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.)

Tenants

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Landlords

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Laws & Regulations

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Resources

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Workshops

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Access Enrollment and Registration Forms

​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

Richmond Rent Program Workshop Webinar: How to File a Rent Decrease Petition (Tenant-Focused) 

Tenant-Focused Workshop Webinar: 

Saturday, September 26, 2020 | 10:00AM - 12:00PM 

Pre-Register at the link: https://bit.ly/3keSdvN 

This webinar is designed for tenants in Richmond who are interested in learning more about the petition process under the Fair Rent, Just Cause for Eviction and Homeowner Protection Ordinance. 

Topics will include: 

  • Petitions due to Excess Rent (Landlord is charging more than the Maximum Allowable Rent)
  • Petitions due to a Reduction in Space, Services, or Habitability 
  • Petitions due to the Landlord's Failure to Pay Relocation Payments 
  • Learn How to File a Petition 
  • Overview of the Petition Process

Questions? For more information visit our workshops page at www.richmondrent.org/workshops. Contact us by phone (510) 234-RENT (7368) or by email rent@ci.richmond.ca.us. 

RESIZED Community Workshop Webinar- How to File a Rent Decrease (English)
RESIZED Community Workshop Webinar- How to File a Rent Decrease (Spanish)

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 must comply with the COVID-19 Emergency Order prohibiting certain types of evictions as well as rent increases through July 15, 2020, or any extension of the Supplemental Order.

In addition, 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

2020 Community Workshop Schedule

City of Richmond Rent Program Community Workshops are held one Saturday each month to inform community members about their rights and responsibilities under the Fair Rent, Just Cause for Eviction, and Homeowner Protection Ordinance. Access the full schedule, as well as 2019 Community Workshop materials, on the Workshops page.

RESIZED 2020 List of Workshops - ENGLISH - FINAL - Copy Opens in new windowRESIZED 2020 List of Workshops - SPANISH - FINAL - Copy 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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