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Rent Board Fee Calculator
Calculate the annual rent board fee you owe as a landlord in a rent-controlled city, plus the portion you can legally pass through to tenants. Supports San Francisco's 50% passthrough rule and customizable rules for other jurisdictions.
SF ~$270; Berkeley ~$290; NYC varies
50% in SF; varies by city
Total annual rent board cost
$2,220
Tenant passthrough (total)
$810
Landlord net cost
$1,410
Monthly passthrough / unit
$11.25
Rent board fee only
$1,620
How the math works
Cities with rent control (San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland, New York, Washington DC, others) charge landlords an annual rent board fee to fund the program. Many jurisdictions let landlords pass a portion (often 50%) to tenants as a separate line item on the rent bill.
The passthrough rules vary: San Francisco allows 50% to the tenant as a separate line; Berkeley allows a slightly different share. Check your local ordinance before passing costs through — unilateral passthroughs violate many rent control rules and can create lawsuits.
How to Use
- Enter the number of rent-controlled units you own.
- Enter the annual rent board fee per unit in your city.
- Set the tenant passthrough percentage allowed by local law.
- Add any compliance or admin costs you incur.
- Review the total program cost and landlord / tenant split.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pass rent board fees to tenants?
Depends on city. San Francisco allows 50% passthrough as a separate line item. Berkeley allows similar. Some jurisdictions prohibit passthrough entirely. Check local ordinance.
How do I invoice tenants for the passthrough?
Pass throughs must be shown separately from base rent, with prior written notice (often 60+ days). The charge should reference the local ordinance. Never simply fold into rent.
Do rent board fees increase annually?
Yes. Most rent boards raise fees annually to cover program costs. San Francisco's fee increases reliably; budget for 3-5% annual growth on the per-unit fee.
Does this apply to owner-occupied duplexes?
Often the owner-occupied unit is exempt from rent control but the other unit is not. In SF, owner-occupied 2-4 unit buildings have partial exemptions. Check with your city's rent board.
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