Community Development Agency
Housing & Community Development Department
Michelle Starratt
Housing Director
- Available Housing Check Here
- Tenant and Property Owner Resources
- MEASURE A-1 HOUSING BOND
- COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
- UNINCORPORATED COUNTY COMMUNITY RESOURCES
- HIV/AIDS HOUSING
- HOMELESSNESS
HOMEOWNERSHIP
- RENTAL HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
- HMIS USERS
- Fair Housing
- Mobile Home Park Ordinance
- Rent Mediation Services
- HUD Income and Rent Limits
- REPORTING FORMS
- DOCUMENTS & REPORTS
Tenant and Property Owner Resources
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Eviction
How do I know if my eviction notice is legal? Do I need to move out? All eviction notices must be in writing, a verbal notice from your landlord is not a legal eviction notice. Landlords must serve the written notice before they file an Unlawful Detainer in court. Landlords have to go through the court process to evict tenants, and tenants have the right to fight the case. If you are a tenant, landlords cannot simply change the locks or tell you that you have to leave. That is not a legal eviction. If you receive a verbal eviction threat from your landlord, or a written eviction notice, or your landlord wants you to sign an agreement and you are not sure if you should sign it, please contact a legal services provider to apply for assistance and advice about your options before you sign anything or decide to move out.
If you received a Summons or Complaint The most important thing is to make sure you file a response or "Answer" within five business days of being sued, or you could lose by default. If you were just served, contact a legal services provider to apply for assistance. If you are close to the deadline, use this General Denial packet to file your response. See Alameda County's Flyer for the steps and deadlines in the eviction process
See the Eviction Process Flow Chart
State of California Tenants Guide (updated February 2022)
Legal Assistance and Displacement
The following organizations provide free legal services to low-income tenants and homeowners disproportionately impacted by the region's housing affordability crisis. To learn more about your rights and apply for representation, contact them using the information below:
- Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach (510) 251-2846
- Bay Area Legal Aid (800) 551-5554
- Centro Legal de la Raza, call (510) 437-1554, text (510) 738-3906, or email [email protected]
- East Bay Community Law Center (510) 548-4040 ext. 201
- Eviction Defense Center (510) 452-4541
- Legal Assistance for Seniors (510) 832-3040
Alameda County Housing Secure (ACHS) is a collaboration of legal service providers partnering to prevent the displacement of our most vulnerable community members.
Centro Legal de la Raza, the Eviction Defense Center, Bay Area Legal Aid, East Bay Community Law Center, and Housing and Economic Rights Advocates provide free legal services to low-income tenants and homeowners disproportionately impacted by the region's housing affordability crisis.
East Bay Housing Organization (EBHO) is a community organizing group that provides resources for tenants facing financial hardships.
- Click here for their guide.
- Click here for more information.
The Self-help Desk at the Alameda County Superior Court provides legal information and resources to self-represent court customers. Assistance may be in the form of private appointments, referrals, Live Chat, and/or telephonic assistance. Self Help | Superior Court of California | County of Alameda
ECHO's Tenant/Landlord Counseling Program provides information to tenants and landlords on rental housing issues such as evictions, rent increases, repairs and habitability, harassment, illegal entry, and other rights and responsibilities regarding the tenant/landlord relationship. ECHO has trained mediators to assist in resolving housing disputes through conciliation and mediation. We make referrals to legal services for advice and representation on housing-related issues including evictions, rent increases, repairs and habitability, and harassment. Click here for ECHO Housing's Rent Review Ordinance and Tenant Protections Training https://youtu.be/nCwQSlWtkMI or access the slide presentation here: ECHO housing training for landlords
More Resources for Tenants
Report problem with condition or habitably of your rental unit
File a complaint and request an inspection regarding your rental via code enforcement unit or call 510-670-5460 or email [email protected].
Alameda County has a minor home repair program for renters and owners. Apply here or call 510-567-8280 or email [email protected].
Utility Assistance
PG&E
PG&E has implemented a series of billing and service modifications to support customers who have been impacted by the pandemic:
- Suspending service disconnections for non-payment and waiving security deposits;
- Implementing flexible payment plan options; and
- Providing additional support for low-income and medical baseline customers.
For more information, please click here.
East Bay MUD
EBMUD will not disconnect customers' water service due to billing/payment issues during this health emergency. If your water has been shut off due to non-payment, please call EBMUD Customer Service at 1-866-403-2683 to make arrangements to restore service. In addition, EBMUD's Customer Assistance Program helps reduce bills for customers facing economic hardships. For more information, go to www.ebmud.com/cap.
