Rent Registry

ONLINE ACCESS – To begin the registration process on July 1st, click here.

INSTRUCTIONS – Click here to view the Rent Registry User Guide for Property Owners/Managers.

Background

On May 21, 2019, the City Council adopted the Rent Registry Ordinance, El Cerrito Municipal Code Chapter 10.100 (Ordinance No. 2019-03), that took effective June 20, 2019. The ordinance establishes an annual reporting requirement to submit data into a City database information regarding rents and other relevant information about rental units during the annual business license renewal process. The annual reporting requirement applies to all owners of residential rental property, with some exceptions. The data collected will be used to inform the City Council about the rental market, trends and housing stock in El Cerrito. The City Council has not, at this time, provided any direction for the Rent Registry to be used to regulate rents in the City. Participation in the program is mandatory.

Starting July 1, 2020, all rental properties will be required to register or renew their rental property information through the City’s online portal by July 31, 2020. Paper applications will not be accepted. The annual fee is $39.00 per unit for the reporting period of July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020. Once registration opens on July 1st, staff will be available for questions and online tutorials will be available on this website to guide property owners/manager through the process. Detailed instructions, including online account access information, will be provided with Business License Renewal Notices that were mailed the week of June 15, 2020.

Summary of Requirements


  • Applicability: All residential rental properties in El Cerrito, including single-family residences and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) are subject to reporting.
  • Registration fee: $39.00/per unit.
  • Reporting Period: July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020.
  • Exceptions: Hotels/motels, bed & breakfast, affordable housing, on-site manager units.
Note: Please review the ordinance for all legal requirements.

Registration Method
Property owners/managers must renew business licenses, make payment, and complete the rent registry electronically. To prepare for your submission, please compile your documents/records and method of payment. This includes tenant history, including move-in and move-out dates, rental rates, rent increases and any applicable capital improvements

To submit your response and registration fees electronically through our secure online database, click here. (Weblink Available Beginning 7/1/2020).

Once the required forms and payments are completed, you will receive email confirmation of your submission.

Please note: Due to COVID-19, all residential rental properties will be required to renew business licenses and complete the rent registry online.

I

mportant Documents and Information



Click below to view:

Rent Registry USER GUIDE


Please click here to access step-by-step instructions.

Rent Registry Program Data: 2017 – 2019


The data for the July 2017 – June 2020 reporting period is currently being analyzed and will be made available late summer/early fall. The report will be shared with the Tenant Protections Task Force, appointed by the City Council in August 2019, to make policy recommendations to the City Council for their consideration. Please subscribe to our Community Development Department E-News www.el-cerrito.org/CommDev to receive program announcements.

Contact Us


For any questions, please contact our office:
City of El Cerrito
10890 San Pablo Avenue
El Cerrito, CA 94530
Email: housing@ci.el-cerrito.ca.us
Website: www.el-cerrito.org/rentregistry
Phone: (510) 215-4314