Berkeley Rent Registration, Fees, and Security Deposit Interest

What it requires

• Register every covered unit, including single-family homes and newer units that are exempt from the rent limit.
• Within 15 days of a new tenancy, give the tenant the Rent Board’s notice form and re-register the unit.
• Pay the annual registration fee by July 1. A late fee doubles, and the penalty grows every six months it stays unpaid.
• Pay interest on security deposits at the Rent Board’s annual rate: interest through October 31 is paid each December (no later than January 31) as a rent credit or cash, and the balance at move-out. Missing January 31 lets the tenant recover that year’s interest at 10%.
• An owner who registers late loses 10% of that year’s AGA for each month past October 1.

Owner checklist

• Annual fee paid before July 1
• New-tenancy notice given and unit re-registered within 15 days
• Deposit interest calculated at the Rent Board’s rate each fall
• Interest credited or paid in December