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Rent Adjustment Program
Offices: 250 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 5th Floor
Oakland, CA 94612
Mail to: P.O. Box 70243, Oakland, CA 94612-0243
Phone: 510.238.3721 Fax: 510.238.6181
Drop-in hours are:
Monday - Friday, 10 am - 12 pm and 2 pm - 4 pm
for rent increases effective July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009
the allowable general increase is 3.2%
for rent increases effective July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010
the allowable general increase is 0.7%
Click here for details
Contents
The Rent Adjustment Program enforces the
Rent Adjustment Ordinance
which prevents excessive residential rent increases. Enforcement of the Ordinance is governed by rules and procedures.
Allowable Rent Increases
About the Rent Adjustment Program
The Housing Residential Rent-Relocation Board
Challenging a Rent Increase
Responding to a Challenge to a Rent Increase
Other Information
Contact Rent Adjustment staff
Allowable Annual Rent Increase -
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New! 2009-2010 allowable increase is 0.7%.
Rent increases for this rent adjustment may be implemented no earlier than July 1, 2009. Notices of rent increases must comply with California State law.
By California Civil Code Section 827, if the increase is greater than 10%, 60 days notice is required; if the increase is 10% or less, 30 days notice is required.
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July 1, 2009: 0.7%
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July 1, 2008: 3.2%
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July 1, 2007: 3.3%
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May 1, 2006: 3.3%
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May 1, 2005: 1.9%
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May 1, 2004: 0.7%
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May 1, 2003: 3.6%
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July 1, 2002: 0.6%
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March 1, 1995 - June 30, 2002: 3% per year
About the Rent Adjustment Program
The Rent Adjustment Program works to encourage open communication and to foster a climate of understanding between Oakland landlords and tenants by providing mediation services for cases involving rent increases and some evictions.
Tenants may file a petition to challenge a rent increase that they believe to be in violation of the Rent Adjustment Ordinance. Cases are initially presented to Hearing Officers, who make a decision after reviewing information from both the tenant and the landlord.
Hearing Officers also review some issues pertaining to Oakland's Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance.
The Rent Adjustment Program also provides forms and processes applications for landlords who wish to go out of business consistent with the provisions of California's Ellis Act. Click here for more information.
Housing Residential Rent-Relocation Board
The Board hears appeals from Hearing Officer decisions, recommends regulations for, and changes to, the Rent Adjustment Ordinance, and adopts regulations for implementation of the Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance and Oakland's Ellis Act Tenant Protections.
The Board also hears appeals related to Code Compliance Relocation Payments. For more information go to Relocation Services.
Click here for information about Board Meetings.
Challenging a Rent Increase
If a landlord increases rents by more than the allowable annual rent increase, or gives more than one increase in a 12-month period, tenants may file a petition with the Rent Adjustment Program.
In most cases, tenants have 60 days to file after receiving the written notice of rent increase from their landlord. See the Tenant Information section for more details and forms.
Responding to a Challenge to a Rent Increase
Upon receipt of a petition from a tenant, Rent Adjustment staff notifies the landlord of the tenant's complaint. Landlords are asked to provide supportive information showing justification for the additional increase. The justifications that will establish rental increases above the current CPI limits are:
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capital improvement costs
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increased operating costs
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annual rent increases not taken in prior years ("banking")
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mortgage costs
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repair costs for casualty losses not covered by insurance
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fair rate of return on investment for owners (as provided for under California law)
See the Landlord Information section for details and forms.
Other Information
Copies of Documents - Copies of documents can be obtained by filling out the Request for Copies form and returning it to the Rent Adjustment Program with pre-payment. For the cost of document copies, phone the Rent Adjustment office.
Legal Issues and Rights - the Rent Adjustment Board Staff cannot offer legal advice. View our other resources section to find legal resources to help you.
Other Disputes - for assistance with rental disputes not related to rental rates or increases, see the rental disputes page.
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