If you’re a renter in Richmond or a property owner, you may want to familiarize yourself with Richmond’s Rent Board, established in 2016 to help protect tenants from no-cause evictions, make decisions about rent increases and hear grievances from renters and property owners.
The board was established when voters approved the “Richmond Fair Rent, Just Cause for Eviction and Homeowner Protection Ordinance.” The ballot measure formed the board, which is comprised of up to five members appointed by the City Council for two-year terms. There is currently a vacancy on the board following the resignation of Vice Chair Karina Guadalupe.
Sara Cantor chairs the board. The remaining members are Elaine Dockens, Tomasa Espinoza and Jim Hite. The board members are not compensated.
The Rent Board administers Richmond’s Rent Program, which offers a number of services for residents.
Free Rent Program services for residents
The board’s $3.9 million annual budget is funded by fees paid by rental property owners.
If a dispute arises between a tenant and an owner, the Rent Program staff can provide mediation services. While the program doesn’t offer legal advice, the program can give referrals to community legal service providers.
Rent Board meetings and how to contact
WHEN: 5 p.m. every 3rd Wednesday of the month
WHERE: Richmond City Council Chambers, 440 Civic Center Plaza
AGENDAS: View Rent Board agendas and read past meeting minutes on the city of Richmond website. Past meetings can be watched here.
MORE INFORMATION: Visit 440 Civic Center Plaza, 2nd Floor, on weekdays from 9 a.m.–12 p.m. or 1 p.m.–4 p.m. Call 510-234-RENT (7368) or email rent@ci.richmond.ca.us. You can visit Richmond Rent Program and fill out a form to request an appointment with a staff member.
Counseling and educational services are also available on the rights and responsibilities of tenants and property owners.
The program occasionally offers community education workshops and provides targeted outreach to tenants and landlords involved in just cause evictions.
The Rent Program administers the rent adjustment petition process. Richmond tenants can file a petition to have their rent lowered, and owner’s can file a petition to increase a tenant’s rent.
The process involves filling out a petition, and there are several steps involved. The best way to begin this process is to speak with a Rent Program services analyst, which can be arranged by calling the office or sending an email. This will help determine whether your unit or home falls under the purview of the ordinance, among other things.
Dissolve the rent board. Rent control disincentivizes investment and upkeep from landlords. You are perpetuating the slum culture.
Unsafe apartment through your program. We have filed complaints with city, the police department and the housing authority, no luck. Drugs, dogs, fights, water leaks, no heaters, gates broken, laundry room out of service. How do we get this fixed
Housing authority won’t do anything to fix the problem at 1323 Visalia
Richmond , calif