Tenant Relocation for Repairs

If you need to relocate your tenants in order to make repairs, you must follow regulations laid out in the Berkeley Relocation Ordinance (Municipal Code 13.84). The regulations include financially compensating tenants to cover the relocation costs and allowing tenants to move back in when repairs are done.

Step 1: Provide tenants with required relocation documents

Planned Temporary Relocations

You must notify tenants before the temporary relocation, and include a payment form and a copy of the Relocation Ordinance with your notice:

• Prepare a Notice of Temporary Relocation for Planned Repairs and deliver to your tenants 30 days in advance
• Send a Relocation Payment Request form for your tenants to fill out
  • If the relocation will last 29 days or fewer, provide the Short-Term Payment Request form
  • If the relocation will last 30 days or more, provide the Long-Term Payment Request form
• Provide a copy of the Relocation Ordinance

Fire or Code Enforcement Activity

Review the Property Owner Checklist for Tenant Relocation, which guides property owners through next steps in case tenants need to be relocated due to fire or code enforcement activity. You must provide tenants with the following three documents after the incident:

• Deliver the Notice of Temporary Relocation due to Fire or Code Enforcement
• Send a Relocation Payment Request form for your tenants to fill out
  • If the relocation will last 29 days or fewer, provide the Short-Term Payment Request form
  • If the relocation will last 30 days or more, provide the Long-Term Payment Request form
• Provide a copy of the Relocation Ordinance

Step 2: Provide financial compensation to tenants

The amount of financial compensation you must provide tenants depends on length of the relocation.

If the relocation is 29 days or fewer, provide a per diem (amounts vary depending on household size).

If the relocation is 30 days or more, provide:

• dislocation allowance
• moving and storage costs
• rent differential payment

Please refer to the Berkeley Municipal Code 13.84.070 for details about the amounts for the payment amounts and details.

Step 3: Allow tenants to move back in after repairs are completed

If you have relocated your tenants in order to bring your building up to code, you must allow them to move back in after completing the repairs.

If you are removing the unit from the rental market completely, you will need to follow regulations in the Rent Stabilization Ordinance and the Ellis Ordinance. Please contact the Rent Stabilization Board for questions.

Questions

If you have questions about the relocation ordinance, please find contact information below:

• Email: relocation@berkeley.gov
• Phone: (510) 981-5100

You can reach out to discuss your questions or to request an in-person appointment.