Calling All Oakland Tenants to Vote in the November 2016 Election!

Oakland is the fourth most expensive rental market in the nation! The tenants who I have been advocating for have experienced up to 50% increases in monthly rent if they live in a single family home, owner-occupied duplexes or triplexes or newly constructed units. These units, which are generally exempt from rent control, are covered under state law and all that is required for rent increases greater than 10% is a 60-Day Notice of Rent Increase from the landlord.

Other tenants who are covered by rent control may still be receiving illegal rent increases that exceed the rent increase cap allowed by the Oakland Municipal Code. However, many tenants have never faced exorbitant rent increases before, don't know their legal rights, and even if they are aware of their legal rights, are afraid of retaliation from the landlord if they petition the Oakland Rent Adjustment Program for a hearing on the matter.

With the support of Rebecca Kaplan and other city council members, as well as tenant's rights groups, a new ballot measure is slated for the November 2016 election.  It's critical that Oakland residents vote for this important amendment to the existing municipal code to afford renters significantly more protection than exists today.

The November ballot measure includes these important new protections to further strengthen Oakland's rent control program; the new Renter Protection Measure will:

• Require landlords to petition the city for approval of large rent increases. In the past, the burden of enforcing rental law was placed on the tenants.

• Extend the city’s just-cause eviction law to buildings built before 1995. The law currently only covers buildings built before 1981. This would protect many long-time residents.

• Expand the duties and powers of the Rent Board and the Rent Adjustment Program to increase accountability and effectiveness, including regular public reports and an annual notification to landlords and tenants about what rent increases are allowed and how to get more information about our laws.

So, don't sit on your rights! Get out and vote in the November election!