CITY OF OAKLAND PASSES HISTORIC MORATORIUM ON RENT-HIKES

Succumbing to public pressure and noted as one of the highest rental rate markets in the United States, the City Council of Oakland, California passed a 90-day moratorium on rent increases effective April 5, 2016 and ending on or about July 4, 2016.  During this 90-day period, Oakland will be reviewing permanent revisions to the Oakland Municipal Code which controls both the Oakland Rent Adjustment Program and the Just Cause for Eviction ordinance. Some of what this ordinance controls is listed here as excerpted from the Ordinance Digest:

"The Emergency Ordinance does the following:

• Eliminates the exemptions from rent control for owner-occupied duplexes and triplexes and substantially rehabilitated properties;
• Places a moratorium on rent increases above the annual cpi adjustment; 
• Affirms the city's prohibition on illegal evictions; 
• Affirms the city's duty to publicize city policies establishing tenant rights; and
• Direct the city administrator to evaluate potential permanent rent stabilization measures."

The Emergency Ordinance also: 

• "Directs the City Administrator to report to City Council no later than May 17, 2016 on the status of awarding the contract for Tenant Protection Ordinance education and outreach;
• Directs the City Administrator to schedule a status report to City Council on May 17, 2016 regarding awarding $240,000 to implement the Minimum Wage law; 
• Affirms the city's duty to publicize city policies establishing tenant rights; and
• Directs the City Administrator to evaluate potential permanent rent stabilization measure."

To read more about this Emergency Ordinance, click here.