Rent Adjustment Petition Process

The Rent Adjustment Program (RAP) is a petition-based system for renters and landlords.

  • Tenants may petition to challenge certain rent increases
  • Tenants may also petition for a decrease in rent paid due to a loss in service.
  • Property owners may petition for certain rent increases
  • Property owners may petition for exemption from the RAP for qualifying properties
  • Property owners may apply to remove a property from the rental market as allowed by the Ellis Act.

Rent increases based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) are allowed, as are banked increases. Banking refers to any CPI-based increase that the property owner delays and chooses to apply later. 

Property owners who want to raise rent above the CPI amount must file a petition. They may impose allowable CPI increases and eligible banked increases without filing one. Any other type of rent increase requires prior RAP approval. 

If you file online you will receive an email confirmation. If you file by paper, you will receive a letter confirming receipt of your petition.

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