Sources / Summary: https://www.berkeleyside.com/2020/05/21/berkeley-rent-board-wants-voters-to-add-rent-control-measures-to-certain-duplexes-and-adus?fbclid=IwAR2SxeVOoNY3xgOXz_6lGBPttSBeXVthAedmaV1TGC32p2WjXNdKQCdINE8

On May 29, 2020 at 6:00 pm, the Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board will be discussing whether they will be sending City Council a recommendation to place a measure on the November ballot that will repeal the rent control exemption for what are known as 'golden duplexes.' This is a fight for affordable housing. People have fought hard for rent control in the Bay Area, and this exemption is the loophole that owners of the golden duplexes use to charge tenants above market prices. 

The current existing law regarding 'golden duplexes' was established in 1980, and said if an owner lived in a duplex by Dec. 31, 1979, and owned 50% of the property, the second unit was exempt from rent control. If the property owner moved out, rent control would apply. The exemption could be passed on to a new owner, however, but only if they owned 50% of the property and lived on the premises.

Again, this rent control exemption has made housing less affordable for about 400-1000 units within the Berkeley area, simply because owners of these golden duplexes can unfairly raise rents. Many of the tenants affected by this law could be college students, young professionals, and residents who have lived in Berkeley for years who are struggling to afford the Bay Area’s cost of living.

All tenants should be guaranteed protections by rent control, regardless of some arbitrary ownership status that was established decades ago.

Sign on if you stand with those who are repealing the golden duplex rent-control exemption, because all students, residents, and young professionals, need (especially during this situation we are living in) housing security and stability.