Hayward Moving Forward on More Rental Rules


During their Feb. 19 marathon meeting lasting well past midnight, the Hayward City Council directed staff to work on the following new rental housing policies:
  • Increasing rent, and all other charges, more than 5% would trigger a mandatory meditation process with the potential of a binding arbitration between the landlord and tenant.  This requirement would apply to all rental units except single-family homes.  It is not yet clear whether condominiums would be exempt.
  • The current vacancy decontrol process could be eliminated altogether or possibly suspended for three to five years for the remaining 1,000 to 1,600 units in Hayward currently subject to the Residential Rent Stabilization Ordinance.
  • Eviction for Cause would be expanded to cover all rental units including single-family homes and condominiums.
  • Require all landlords to notify the City of Hayward when increasing rent or evicting a tenant. 
The City of Hayward is studying other tenant protections including: prohibiting discrimination against households with Section 8 vouchers, and possibly anti-retaliation protections for tenants who complain about rent increases or living conditions; relocation payments to tenants evicted under no-fault circumstances; and implementation of a landlord code of conduct.

 
The City Council will take action on these policies later this year.

Please share this information with clients who own rental property of any kind in Hayward.

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