In response to the rapidly rising cost of living in the Bay Area, the City of Fremont adopted the Rent Review Ordinance (RRO) which went into effect on January 1, 2018. The Rent Review Ordinance provides for a review and, if necessary, a formal hearing before the Rent Review Board for proposed residential rent increases in excess of 5 percent in any 12-month period.

The source of funding for the RRO is an annual per-unit cost-recovery fee that is approved annually by the Fremont City Council and subsequently billed to residential landlords who have five or more residential rental units located in Fremont (Rent Review Ordinance Section 9.60.130). In determining the fee, staff uses the appropriated expenditure and the number of residential rental units subject to the RRO and apportions the cost equally to residential rental units in the city, as allowed pursuant to state law.

On October 17, 2023, the City Council authorized the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 fee of $14 per unit.

Annual Landlord Fees

The City sends annual Rent Review Fee invoices to all landlords who own five or more residential rental units in Fremont.