Annual Registration FY24-25

For the first time, the Rent Program is requiring an annual registration statement for each fully regulated rental unit. This represents a shift from the Rent Registry’s first four years of operation, when landlords only had to register new tenancies and pay the annual program fee once they had completed an initial registration statement.

The Rent Program is committed to helping landlords navigate this change. Staff is available to answer registration questions by email or phone. We will also be hosting registration clinics starting in June.

Important Dates

Beginning June 1, 2024, Landlords may use the Rent Registry to submit registration and pay program fees online. Landlords who submit online registration will be able to pay the program fee by credit card or e-check immediately afterward.

The Rent Program is also now accepting registration using Form RP-221(B)(PDF, 333KB).

Landlords who have not paid the fee online will receive an invoice that will be mailed on July 1, 2024. If registration has not been received by that point, the invoice will be based on the registration information currently in the registry.

Both annual registration and program fees are due by August 31, 2024.

	Register by Form	Register Online	Pay Online	Pay by Check		Registration & Payment Due
May 2024	YES	NO	NO	NO	»	August 31, 2024
June 2024	YES	YES	YES	NO
JULY - August 2024	YES	YES	YES	YES

 

Annual Program Fees

The annual registration statement and payment of the annual program fee are two related but separate requirements.

Amounts for the annual program fee will be calculated and announced by May 20, 2024. Beginning June 1, 2024, landlords will be able to pay the program fee online by credit card or e-check as soon as they have submitted their annual registration statement via the Rent Registry.

Those registering by form should not submit payment of the annual program fee with their form. Landlords who have not paid online by July 1, 2024, will receive an invoice in the mail with instructions on how to pay by check. While the registration form should be submitted directly to the Rent Program, check payments should be mailed to the P.O. Box indicated on the invoice.

The fee is owed on any residential unit that will be rented to a tenant at any time during the City’s fiscal year, from July 1 to June 30 of the following calendar year. No fee is owed for rental units occupied by rent-subsidized tenants, e.g. Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) recipients. For more information, see the Annual Program Fee Schedule.

Regulation Type	Per-Unit Fee for 2024-2025
Fully Regulated Units	Announced May 20, 2024
Partially Regulated Units	Announced May 20, 2024
Rent-Subsidized Units	$0

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are landlords now required to submit annual registration?

Many landlords were confused by annual mailings disclosing the Maximum Allowable Rent or MAR, as defined in the Rent Ordinance, for each rental unit. In many cases, the landlord was not permitted to immediately increase the rent to the MAR due to the Rent Ordinance’s restrictions on banked rent increases. We have heard your feedback. Collecting data on current rents will allow us to provide much clearer, precise guidance about exactly how much a landlord may increase the rent for a particular rental unit in compliance with local law, taking banking regulations into account. We hope this will be beneficial for landlords and tenants alike.

Furthermore, the Rent Ordinance does require an annual registration statement. See Section 6-58.35(I), Alameda Municipal Code (AMC). This provision was not enforced during the COVID-19 pandemic, however.

What information needs to be submitted? 

Landlords will primarily be asked to provide the current rent and date of last rent increase for any units rented to tenants, as well as an update on any changes to the info the landlord submitted with initial registration. As with previous years, landlords will also have an opportunity to apply for any new exemptions before paying the annual program fee.

How do I submit annual registration?

The Rent Program strongly recommends that landlords submit registration using the online Rent Registry during the month of June. The registry is a one-stop location where landlords can review the information currently in the registry, provide any updates, apply for exemptions, and pay the annual program fee all at once. The registry opens for the 2024-2025 program years starting June 1, 2024.

As of May 1, 2024, the Rent Program is also accepting registration using the newly revised Form RP-221(B)(PDF, 333KB), which may be submitted by email, U.S. mail, or the drop box in the lobby of City Hall West. Landlords using the form will need to re-submit much of the information they provided with initial registration. 

What happens if registration and/or fee payment is not submitted by August 31, 2024?

Landlords who fail to submit annual registration or pay the annual program fees are considered non-compliant with the Rent Ordinance. If a landlord is out of compliance, they cannot lawfully raise rents and/or file a petition for upward adjustment of rent, including Capital Improvement Petitions. Being substantially out of compliance may result in:

• Mailing of non-compliance letters with a copy sent to affected tenants
• Late fees of 10% per unit per month for not paying annual program fees
• Additional penalties and Administrative Citations. 

How do I request an exemption from the annual program fee for an owner-occupied unit?

Any owner-occupied unit previously approved for a fee exemption will remain exempt, and you will not be billed for the program fee for that unit.

If a unit that was previously rented to a tenant is now owner occupied, you will need to submit an exemption request prior to making payment. New exemption requests must be made by no later than August 1, 2024, or you may be required to pay the program fee for the unit. Exemption requests may be made using the online Rent Registry or by submitting Form RP-221(D)(PDF, 163KB).

How do I request an exemption from the annual program fee for a vacant unit?

Only units that will be vacant for the entire fiscal year, from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, are eligible for a fee exemption. If you intend to rent a currently vacant unit during the fiscal year, you must pay the entire program fee for the unit.

Whether a unit was vacant and exempted from last year’s fee or is newly vacant, prior to making payment:

• Landlords registering online will need to submit a new exemption request.
• Landlords registering by form may include a signed and dated statement with their registration indicating that the unit will not be rented until at least June 30, 2025.

What about partially regulated units?

 At this time, landlords of partially regulated units are not required to submit an annual registration statement.

Landlords of partially regulated units that are being rented to a tenant (a) for the first time or (b) after being approved previously for an exemption must submit initial registration within 30 calendar days of establishing the tenancy. Registration may be submitted using form RP-223(PDF, 167KB), or contact Rent Program staff to submit online registration.

What if I never submitted initial registration?

For both fully regulated and partially regulated units with established tenancies, landlords who have not yet submitted initial registration are out of compliance with the Rent Ordinance and  must submit initial registration immediately. Please reach out to Rent Program staff for help coming into compliance.

Where can I find complete registration requirements?

Administrative regulations to implement provisions of the Rent Ordinance concerning rent registration, payment of program fees, and exemption procedures have been revised in preparation for annual registration. See Regulation 20-01(PDF, 207KB) for fully regulated units and Regulation 20-04(PDF, 200KB) for partially regulated units.

What assistance is there for landlords who have never used the online Rent Registry?

See the Rent Registry User Guide. Updated video tutorials will also be posted soon.

The Rent Program will be hosting registration clinics in the Alameda Free Library computer lab. To register, visit the Workshops & Clinics page.

Landlords can also make an appointment for one-on-one assistance from Rent Program staff at City Hall West or online via Zoom. Contact the Rent Program to make an appointment.

Landlords who have not yet set up a registry account may do so at any time at registry.alamedarentprogram.org. Once you have created the account, you will need a PIN to add your property to your account. Reach out Rent Program staff to request a PIN.