berkeley rent control is one of the strongest tenant protection systems in California, and it covers thousands of apartments across the city. Under berkeley rent control, the allowed increase for 2026 is 1.0%, which runs for the calendar year that started January 1, 2026.
- September 29, 2026 — City Rent Control / Tenant Ordinance: Since January 1, 2026, a Berkeley landlord who evicts you for an owner move-in or under the Ellis Act must pay you $19,413 in relocation assistance, plus $6,471 more if your household qualifies (such as low-income, disabled, age 60 or older, families with minor children, or tenancies that began before 1999), and these amounts apply through December 31, 2026. (source) (effective 2026-01-01)
Is Your Unit Covered by Berkeley Rent Control?
Berkeley sorts rental units into three groups. Most units are “fully covered.” Some are “partially covered.” A small number have no coverage at all. Your group decides which rights you have.
A fully covered unit gets the whole package. That means a rent ceiling, just-cause eviction protection, and yearly interest on your security deposit. In most cases, older apartment buildings fall into this group. As a result, berkeley rent control limits how much your rent can climb each year.
Partially covered units work differently. For example, “new construction” units, which have a certificate of occupancy issued after 1980, are partially covered. These units typically have no rent cap. However, tenants still get just-cause eviction protection and security deposit interest. Single-family homes and Section 8 rentals also get just-cause protection. To check a specific address, contact the Rent Board. Coverage can turn on details you can’t see from the street, so don’t guess.
| Rule | What it says | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Fully covered units | Rent ceiling, just-cause eviction, and security deposit interest all apply | Berkeley Rent Stabilization Ordinance |
| Partially covered units | No rent ceiling in most cases, but just-cause eviction and deposit interest apply | Berkeley Rent Stabilization Ordinance |
| New construction | Units with a certificate of occupancy issued after 1980 are partially covered | Berkeley Rent Board |
| 2026 AGA | 1.0% for January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026 | Berkeley Rent Board |
| AGA formula | 65% of the Bay Area CPI change from July 1 to June 30 of the prior year, capped at 5% | Berkeley Rent Board (Measure BB lowered the cap from 7% to 5%) |
| Rent increase notice | 30 days for increases of 10% or less; 90 days for increases over 10% | California state law |
How Much Rent Can Go Up Under Berkeley Rent Control
Each year, the elected Berkeley Rent Board sets the Annual General Adjustment. On January 1, rent ceilings for most fully covered units rise by that amount. Your landlord may then raise rent up to the new ceiling, but only with proper notice.
For January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026, the AGA is 1.0%. Here is how the Board got there. The Bay Area Consumer Price Index rose 1.5% from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025. The Board takes 65% of that change, which works out to 1.0%. Under berkeley rent control, the AGA can never go above 5%, even in a high-inflation year. The 2027 figure has not been announced on the official page yet. Typically, the Board publishes it in the fall.
The Rent Board also offers an AGA calculator on its Annual General Adjustment page.
New tenants get a short freeze. A landlord can’t raise rent for the rest of the year the tenancy began, plus one more calendar year. For example, if you moved in on March 1, 2026, your rent can’t go up in 2026 or 2027. Also, California law requires 30 days’ written notice for an increase of 10% or less. It requires 90 days’ notice for more than 10%. As a rule, the stricter local berkeley rent control limit is what you should check first. The state cap is background, not a replacement.
Eviction Protections in This City
In Berkeley, tenants in fully or partially covered units can’t be evicted without “just cause.” This used to be called “good cause.” Just cause means the landlord needs a reason the law accepts. For example, not paying rent may qualify. A landlord simply wanting you gone does not.
Some evictions are “no-fault.” That means you did nothing wrong, but the landlord has a legal reason, such as moving in. In those cases, Berkeley may require relocation assistance. The Rent Board adjusts these payment amounts each year. However, the exact 2026 amounts are not on the page this guide relies on. Please confirm the current figure with the Rent Board before you sign anything or move out. Berkeley rent control protections still apply even if your landlord tells you otherwise.
Under berkeley rent control, a notice to leave is not the same as a court order. Only a sheriff with a court judgment can remove you. In most cases, tenants who respond on time have a chance to raise their defenses.
What to Do If Your Landlord Breaks the Rule
Start with the Berkeley Rent Board. It runs housing counseling for tenants. You can call (510) 981-7368 (RENT) or book an appointment through its online form. A counselor can tell you whether your unit is covered. They can also help check your legal rent ceiling.
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Bring the right papers. For example, gather your lease, every rent increase notice, and proof of what you paid. Bank records and receipts work well. Save texts and emails from your landlord too. As a result, the counselor can see the full picture fast. If your rent went above the berkeley rent control ceiling, the Board has a petition process that may help. You may be able to get rent lowered or overpayments back. Ask the counselor which petition fits your situation.
Some problems can’t wait. If you have an eviction notice or court papers, call a local legal-aid office or a tenant attorney right away. The Rent Board can explain berkeley rent control rules. However, it cannot represent you in court. Many tenants can find free or low-cost help through legal aid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2026 Berkeley rent increase limit really only 1.0%?
Yes, for fully covered units. Under berkeley rent control, the AGA for January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026 is 1.0%. Your landlord still has to give proper written notice before raising rent.
My building was built in 1995. Am I protected?
Probably partially. Units with a certificate of occupancy issued after 1980 are usually partially covered. That typically means no rent cap, but you still get just-cause eviction protection. Confirm your address with the Rent Board.
Can my landlord raise rent right after I move in?
No. Under berkeley rent control, rent can’t go up for the rest of the year your tenancy started, plus one more calendar year. For example, a March 2026 move-in means no increase in 2026 or 2027.
Protect your stuff while you sort this out
A landlord’s insurance does not cover your belongings — renters insurance does, often for a few dollars a month. Compare options before your next move.
Find Your State’s Exact Rules
Notice periods, deposit caps, and the eviction timeline all change from state to state. Pick your state to see the exact days, dollar limits, and steps that apply where you live.
See Tenant Rights in All 50 States →
Sources & How to Verify
The rules on this page are drawn from official government and legal-aid sources. Tenant law changes, so always confirm the exact rule with your state’s statute or a local legal-aid office.
- HUD: hud.gov — federal renter protections and fair housing
- Legal Services Corporation: lsc.gov — find free legal aid in your state
- Cornell Legal Information Institute: law.cornell.edu/wex — plain-English legal definitions
- Your state statute & court self-help portal: search “[your state] landlord tenant act” and “[your state] court self-help eviction” for the exact law and forms
Content last reviewed September 2026. If you notice outdated information, please contact us.
California Renter Guides
- California Eviction Process
- California Tenant Rights
- California Security Deposit Law
- California Rent Increase Laws
- California Repairs and Habitability
- Breaking a Lease in California
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Informational only — not legal advice. Tenant Rights Info is an independent educational resource, not a law firm, and this page does not provide legal advice. Landlord-tenant law varies by state and city and changes over time, so always verify the exact rule with your state’s statute, your local court’s self-help portal, or a legal-aid office. For urgent situations like an active eviction, contact a local legal-aid office or a licensed tenant attorney in your state right away.