// albany · alameda county
State law only: 8.8% for Aug 1, 2026 to Jul 31, 2027 under AB 1482. An increase over 5% in 12 months can be sent to non-binding mediation under the Rent Review Ordinance. The Rent Review Ordinance (since Nov 2, 2018) covers most rentals including single-family homes and condos. AB 1482 exempts individually owned houses and condos with the lease notice, and buildings under 15 years old.
// the rulebook
Albany has no rent cap of its own, so the state 8.8% AB 1482 limit for Aug 1, 2026 to Jul 31, 2027 is the ceiling where it applies. The local rule is the Rent Review Ordinance, in force since Nov 2, 2018, which covers most rentals including single-family homes and condos: any increase over 5% in 12 months lets the tenant request non-binding mediation through ECHO Housing. Every rental property is registered with the city and pays about $15 per unit per year alongside the business license, renewals due Jan 31. Just cause is state law today, but in March 2026 the council ordered drafts of an expanded ordinance covering single-family homes, condos, duplexes and units under 15 years old, with mandatory filing of eviction notices and a license-to-evict rule; confirm the current status with the city before any termination. Albany is 46.9% renter, about a third of units sit in buildings of 5 or more around University Village, and the median year built is 1951, so most of what we manage here is a bungalow. We keep increases at or under 5% unless the comps justify the mediation risk, and renew the license by Jan 31.
// what owners run into
Any increase over 5% in 12 months lets the tenant request mediation through ECHO Housing. It is non-binding, but it takes time and it is on the record. We only cross 5% when the comps make the case.
The March 2026 council direction covers single-family homes, condos, duplexes and units under 15 years old, plus filing every eviction notice and a business license requirement to evict. Confirm the current status with the city before serving any notice.
Albany's bungalows are old enough that plumbing, electrical and foundation surprises are the norm. A $4,000 house rent carries real maintenance reserves, and we budget them before the first repair call.
// start here
What your Albany place should rent for, what the rules allow next year, and what we would do first. Written, within one business day.
// services
Priced to the market, screened to a written standard, leased with the notices your city requires.
The cap, the registry, the fee and the notice for your unit, each on its own calendar.
A 24-hour line, licensed vendors, your approval threshold, and the vendor's invoice with nothing added.
// questions
There is no city cap. A covered unit is limited to the state 8.8% for Aug 1, 2026 to Jul 31, 2027; an individually owned house or condo with the AB 1482 lease notice is uncapped. Either way, any increase over 5% in 12 months lets the tenant request non-binding mediation under the Rent Review Ordinance.
Yes. Albany registers each rental property with the business license at about $15 per unit per year, renewed by Jan 31, and the Rent Review Ordinance covers single-family homes and condos.
Under state law, one month's rent in relocation for an AB 1482 covered tenancy after 12 months; an exempt house with the lease notice owes nothing. The council is drafting local just cause that could add filing and license requirements; confirm the current status with the city first.
A typical East Bay management fee is 6 to 10% of collected rent plus half to one month of rent for leasing. Our full schedule is on the fees page.
// neighborhoods
// who else you will find
Listed so you can compare. Most quote fees by phone; ours are on the fees page.
// nearby
// next step
A written rental analysis for your property, free, within one business day. No obligation and no sales call unless you ask for one.