Richmond, CA · Contra Costa County
Tenant Petition for Rent Withholding for Failure to Pay the Rent Program Residential Rental Housing Fee
Richmond tenants use this petition to ask the Rent Program for authorization to withhold rent when their landlord has not paid the Residential Rental Housing Fee.
What this form is
This petition asks the Richmond Rent Program to authorize rent withholding when a landlord has not paid the Residential Rental Housing Fee or has incorrectly claimed an exemption. Before filing, tenants are instructed to contact the Rent Program to check whether their unit is covered by the Rent Ordinance. The petition requests rental, tenant, landlord, and representative details, the grounds for the request, supporting facts, tenant signatures, and proof of service.
Who needs it
A Richmond tenant whose rental unit may be covered by the Rent Ordinance can file if the landlord has not paid the Residential Rental Housing Fee.
How to submit it
Mail the completed petition and Proof of Service to the Richmond Rent Program, 440 Civic Center Plaza, 2nd Floor, Richmond, CA 94804-1630, or email them to [email protected].
About notarization
This document is signed without a notary; the petition and Proof of Service include declarations under penalty of perjury, and the signers sign and date them.
How to submit this form
- 1
Download the Petition
Download the Tenant Petition for Rent Withholding and its Proof of Service page.
- 2
Check Unit Coverage
Contact the Richmond Rent Program to determine whether your rental unit is covered by the Rent Ordinance.
- 3
Complete and Sign
Fill in the petition, state your grounds and any additional facts, and have all petitioning tenants sign the certification.
- 4
Complete Proof of Service
Complete the Proof of Service showing how a copy of the petition and documentation was served on the landlord.
- 5
Submit to the Rent Program
Mail the petition and Proof of Service to the Richmond Rent Program or email them to [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
- What does the tenant rent withholding petition request?
- It asks the Richmond Rent Program to authorize rent withholding based on a landlord's failure to pay the Residential Rental Housing Fee or an incorrect exemption claim.
- Who can file this petition?
- A tenant who lives in a property subject to the Richmond Rent Ordinance may file. The form advises tenants to contact the Rent Program to check whether their unit is covered.
- How do I submit the tenant rent withholding petition?
- Mail the completed petition and Proof of Service to the Richmond Rent Program at 440 Civic Center Plaza, 2nd Floor, Richmond, CA 94804-1630, or email them to [email protected].
- Do I need a notary for the tenant rent withholding petition?
- No. The petition and Proof of Service are signed without a notary, but each includes a declaration under penalty of perjury that the signer must sign and date.
Need something notarized?
This Tenant Petition for Rent Withholding for Failure to Pay the Rent Program Residential Rental Housing Fee doesn’t need a notary — but if you have another Richmond form that does, a commissioned online notary can help.