City of Alameda
The following is a brief overview of the tenant protections available in this city. For more details please refer to the ordinance itself and any other resourced linked below.
Overview
What tenant protections does the city have?
Rent Control
Just Cause for Evictions
Who enforces the tenant protections?
Alameda Rent Program (city department)
When were these protections adopted and most recently updated?
Adopted in 2019. Most recently updated in 2023.
Rent Stabilization
Exemptions
Single Family Homes (SFH) and condos as well as any units first occupied after February 1, 1995, are exempt under that State Costa Hawkins Rental Housing Act. Townhomes and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are partially regulated, per local law.
How much can rent be increased and how often?
Landlords may increase rent no more than once in any 12 month period and by no more than 70% of Consumer Price Index (CPI) with a 1% min and 5% max.
Is banking allowed?
Yes. If a landlord has not increased rent to the Maximum Allowable Rent in any particular year during a tenancy, the landlord may, as part of a subsequent annual rent increase, increase rent by the previously banked Annual General Adjustment (AGA). However,
- Landlord may not impose “banked” AGA in consecutive years.
- Landlord may not impose “banked” AGA more than three times in any one tenancy.
Are passthroughs or additional costs allowed (pets, utilities, parking, etc)?
Capital improvement passthroughs are allowed with limitations (§ 6.58.77)
Eviction Protections
Exemptions
Multi-unit properties first occupied after February 1, 1995, single family homes, condominiums, townhomes are partially regulated.
Under what circumstances is the landlord obligated to pay relocation assistance to tenant?
Landlords must provide relocation assistance for al no-fault just cause terminations of tenancy. Tenants relocating because of government orders, health and safety remediations, or capital improvements must be paid temporary relocation payments.