On Friday, April 3, 2020, the Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board passed an emergency resolution permitting landlords and tenants to negotiate a temporary rent reduction during the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic. The emergency regulation clarifies that under no circumstances will the lawful rent ceiling be reduced due to a temporary rent decrease during the Coronavirus/COVID-19 local Berkeley state of emergency.
The Berkeley Coronavirus/COVID-19 emergency regulation covers tenancies that began on or before March 3, 2020. It also permits for the temporary rent reductions to extend beyond the expiration of the Local Berkeley Coronavirus/COVID-19 state of emergency.
The few Berkeley tenants who do not qualify for a total rent deferment may leverage this emergency regulation to a temporary rent reduction during the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic.
Click here to read the unabridged Coronavirus/COVID-19 regulation.
If you are a Berkeley tenant with questions about your rights under the Berkeley Coronavirus eviction moratorium or have questions about the Berkeley Rent Ordinance, California Rent Control (AB 1482), contact Astanehe Law to speak with a tenant attorney.