Is there a fee being charged to administer this program?
Landlords pay an annual program fee to the City to cover the costs to provide and administer the Rent Program. Fee amounts are updated annually in accordance with Resolution 15771(PDF, 2MB).
What is the current annual fee?
Please refer to the Annual Program Fee Schedule for more information.
When is the fee due?
Please refer to the Annual Program Fee Schedule for more information.
Are there late penalties for fees not paid by the deadline?
Yes. If the fee is not paid, a 10% late penalty will be applied after the due date, with an additional 10% to be added each successive month until a maximum penalty of 60% has been reached.
Must all landlords pay the annual program fee?
Yes, including landlords who rent single-family residences or condominiums.
Is the fee owed for units that are not occupied by a tenant?
The fee is owed for all units that are rented or will be rented to a tenant at any point during the City's fiscal year, which runs from July 1 to June 30 of the following calendar year.
No later than 30 calendar days before the annual deadline for paying the program fee, a landlord may submit a request that a unit should be exempt from the fee. A fee exemption request may be submitted through the online Rent Registry or by submitting Form RP-221(D)(PDF, 127KB). Submissions must include documentation to substantiate the grounds for the exemption.
Can the fee be prorated?
No. The entire fee is paid annually and is owed regardless of how long a rental unit has been on the market so long as it has been rented or will be rented during the fiscal year for which the fee has been imposed.
May a landlord pass the annual program fee on to the tenant?
As of July 1, 2020, landlords are allowed to pass through 50% of the Annual Rent Program Fee to a tenant in 12 equal installments. Passing through 50% of the fee will not be considered rent for purposes of calculating a rent increase. No additional program forms are required to institute a tenant pass-through fee.
No additional program forms are required to institute a tenant pass-through fee; however, landlords who choose to use Form RP-210(PDF, 347KB) to notice an Annual General Adjustment of rent may indicate the fee pass through on the form.
Who is required to have a business license in Alameda?
- All individuals, partnerships, corporations, and sole proprietors conducting business in the City of Alameda, including residential real estate rentals (for properties with two or more units), must have a business license.
Is the business license requirement the same as the Rent Program’s annual fee?
- No, the business license requirement is separate from the Alameda Rent Program’s annual fee and is administered by the City’s Finance Department, not the Rent Program.
Do I need a business license to rent out a property in Alameda?
- Single-family home, townhome or condo (1 unit): No, property owners renting out a single-family home, townhome or condo do not need a business license .
- Duplex (2 units) or more: Yes, if you are renting out a duplex or a property with more than one unit, a business license is required.
How do I apply for or renew a business license?
- The City of Alameda’s Finance Department recently transitioned its business license support services to HdL, which also launched a new online portal for business license applications and renewals.
Who can I contact for more information about business licenses in Alameda?
- The City of Alameda’s Business Support Center, operated by HdL, can assist with any business license inquiries. You can reach them:
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- By phone: 510-250-1889
- By email: Alameda@HdLGov.com