Landlord/Property Manager Resources

The City's Below Market Rate Housing is subject to affordability agreements for each property. The Community Development Department manages compliance. All below-market rate housing in the City of Foster City is subject to the City's Municipal Code, Chapter 17.90, Below Market Rate Inclusionary Housing Program.

It’s the law:

All rental housing must be habitable and safe.
Every tenant has a right to privacy. In most cases, a landlord must provide advance notice before entering a unit.
Federal and California laws forbid housing discrimination. California law protects tenants from retaliation for certain actions by a tenant, including making complaints about a housing unit’s condition.
California law protects tenants from harassment. Leases and other documents making substantial changes to rights of parties must be translated into certain languages if the lease is negotiated on one of those languages.
Effective January 1, 2020, California adopted the Tenant Protection Act of 2019, also called AB 1482, which provides for statewide rent increase limits and just cause eviction protections. However, not all rental housing is covered, including deed-restricted affordable housing and rental properties less than 15 years old.

Below Market Rate Rental Housing Administrative Procedures and Guidelines

See Below.

California Landlord & Tenants’ Guide

The State of California issues the California Tenants, A Guide to Residential Tenants’ and Landlords’ Rights and Responsibilities. The guide provides information about leases, maintenance, repairs, inspections, and security deposits and is a valuable resource for landlords and their tenants.

www.courts.ca.gov/documents/California-Tenants-Guide.pdf - 2022-06-29

Tenant Protection Act of 2019 (AB 1482)

Effective January 1, 2020, California adopted the Tenant Protection Act of 2019, also called AB 1482, which provides for statewide rent increase limits and just cause eviction protections. However, not all rental housing is covered, including deed-restricted affordable housing and rental properties less than 15 years old.

https://www.smcgov.org/housing/tenants-protections-and-rights

Fair Housing Training

Learn about California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act and other webinars and training here:

https://www.smcgov.org/housing/tenants-protections-and-rights

https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/california-fair-housing-regulations-webinar-pdfs/

Read Project Sentinel's brochure on Fair Housing here.

Read about Project Sentinel's resources on fair housing and anti-discrimination here.

Fair Housing Advertising:

See Project Sentinel's Guidance here:

Conflict Resolution Services

If you are experiencing a disagreement with a tenant and would like to request professional mediation services, please contact the Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center.

https://www.pcrcweb.org/request-a-service

Foster City Rental Registry

The City is looking into launching a Rental Registry in 2024. The registry will help us track rents, types of units, and vacancies. Stay tuned for more information.

Incentives for Landlords to provide affordable housing

San Mateo County’s Housing Authority provides resources for landlords, including a $1,000 bonus for partnering with the County. Learn about incentive programs here: https://www.smcgov.org/housing/landlord-incentive-programs Watch a video about opportunities here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gml__anm8s

What is a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)?

The Housing Choice Voucher Program, also called Section 8, is a federal program of the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Department and is managed by the Housing Authority of San Mateo County. Tenants who apply for and receive a voucher pay a portion of their rent (30% of their income), and the County pays the remainder of the Contract Rent. Download the County’s brochure about the program here: https://www.smcgov.org/media/31816/download?inline= Watch a video about the program here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGZeJthk8k8 Learn about the Federal program here: https://www.hud.gov/topics/housing_choice_voucher_program_section_8

Help for Veterans

HUD provides assistance to veterans through the Veterans’ Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program. Each year a specified number of VASH vouchers are released to the County through the Housing Authority. Learn about the VASH program here: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/programs/hcv/vash Learn how to be a landlord to veterans here: https://www.va.gov/homeless/landlords.asp Download the reference guide: https://www.hud.gov/sites/documents/VASH-REFERGUIDE2012-10.PDF Get connected to a Veterans Affairs housing coordinator here: https://www.va.gov/homeless/landlords.asp#contact-us

Resources for Reasonable Accommodations

Federal nondiscrimination laws require housing providers to grant requests for reasonable accommodations and modifications in housing, programs, and activities. Learn more about how to respond to a tenant’s request for reasonable accommodation here: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/reasonable_accommodations_and_modifications

Details for Landlords can be found here: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp/reasonable_accommodations_and_modifications/information_for_housing_providers_landlords_property_managers

Service and Emotional Support Animals

What’s the difference? Did you know that Assembly Bill 468, effective in 2022, provides more restrictive requirements for emotional support animals? Learn more here: https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2022/12/Emotional-Support-Animals-and-Fair-Housing-Law-FAQ_ENG.pdf