Richmond tenants: Know your rights under new rent control law

Today, Tenants Together released a guide for tenants and advocates to understand their rights under the new Rent Control and Just Cause for Eviction ordinance passed recently in Richmond, California. Download the guide here.

On August 21st, due to advocacy by The Richmond Coalition for Fair Rents and Just Cause, Richmond city council voted in favor of rent control and just cause legislation to prevent continued displacement from rising rents. This was the first ordinance of its kind to be passed in California in 30 years. However, some landlords have rushed to preemptively raise rents and evict tenants before they believe the law goes into effect. Tenants Together is releasing this guide to help tenants know their rights and stay in their homes.

The rent control and just cause for eviction ordinance will go into full effect September 4th, 2015. At that time rents will roll back to the amount charged on July 21st, 2015 and tenants who are still in possession of their home will not be able to be evicted without a “just cause.”

Edith Pastrano, Richmond resident, tenant, and member of Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, says that, “This guide is so useful. Friends and neighbors have been so happy we passed rent control and want to know if they’re protected by the law. This will help me get the word out to tenants about their rights.”

Tenants Together hopes to empower tenants to stay in their homes and seek help if they have received a rent increase or eviction notice without just cause.  Download a copy of our guide at www.tenantstogether.org/rentcontrol and seek help from the following organizations:

Bay Area Legal Aid, Legal Assistance Line: 510-250-5270 or 925-219-3325

Tenants Together, Tenants Rights Hotline: 888-495-8020

Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, Richmond office:  925-348-9165


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The Richmond Coalition for Fair Rents and Just Cause included AFSCME Local 3299, Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, Tenants Together,  Asian Pacific Environmental Network, Building Blocks for Kids Richmond Collaborative, California Nurses Association, CCISCO (Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Community Organization), Centro Latino Cuzcatian, CUIDO (Communities United in Support of Olmstead), Eviction Defense Center, EBHO (East Bay Housing Organization), Iron Triangle Neighborhood Council, Richmond Progressive Alliance, Saffron Strand, SEIU Local 1021, Urban Habitat, and Urban Tilth.