What is the Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board?

The Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board is responsible for enforcing rent control and eviction protections. Tenants can file petitions regarding illegal rent increases, unsafe living conditions, and lost services such as parking, storage, or working appliances. Landlords and tenants receive education and outreach around their rights and responsibilities and the rules they must follow. In addition, the Rent Board acts as the voice of the Berkeley rental community by making recommendations to the City and the State for how to address housing issues.

 

Who is the Right to Housing Slate?

We are a group of progressive, pro-tenant candidates—selected and endorsed through the Berkeley Tenants Convention—running for the Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board. We believe that Housing is a Human Right and are dedicated to making sure that everyone has access to safe, affordable housing. Collectively we have experience as single mothers, tenants, tenant attorneys, homeless, displaced, and community members who have lost income because of COVID-19. As community members and advocates, we are passionate about creating a just and fair society where everyone has a right to housing and an opportunity to succeed.

 

What are Our Values?

We believe in equity, inclusion, healthy homes for all, and an end to displacement and homelessness.

 

What Do We Hope to Accomplish?

  1. Increase Accessibility
    We will work to ensure that people with disabilities are not denied rent controlled units because of rent controlled buildings not providing accessibility and that people are not denied rent controlled units because of credit history, economic status, or racial discrimination.
  2. Make Housing a Human Right: Make corporations pay their fair share, and make it easier to find housing.
    We need to tax large real estate speculators and big businesses so that everyone has access to safe and affordable housing.
  3. People Centered Processes: Get help to people who need it, when they need it, and where they need it.
    The Rent Board and the City of Berkeley work for the community and should meet the community where it is such as hosting community forums in neighborhoods as well as providing childcare so that our community members can participate in the public process.
  4. Protect Our Health and Our Environment
    Tenants should be able to request bulk junk pick up just as property owners are allowed to. We should be investing in green, healthy, energy efficient buildings to protect our tenants and our planet.