For Tenants

Learn how to challenge a rent increase, report decreased housing services, contest a loss of service and make other housing-related claims.

Know Your Rights

Learn more about the Residential Rental Property Laws in Oakland.

Get Help with Rent Increases

As of August 1, 2025, the allowable annual rent increase is 0.8%.

More About Rent Increases

Get Help with Evictions

Find help if you are facing an eviction, resolve housing disputes and avoid being displaced.

Additional Services & Resources

Rent Adjustment Program Forms & Notices for Tenants

• Tenant's Declaration of Financial Hardship During the COVID-19 Pandemic(PDF, 179KB)
• (PDF, 325KB)Tenant Petition Form for the Rent Adjustment Program(PDF, 325KB) Use this form to file a petition with the Rent Adjustment Program. This form includes the required Notice to Property Owners of Tenant Petition and Proof of Service.
• Notice to Property Owners of Tenant Petition(PDF, 110KB)
  This document is a stand-alone Notice to Property Owners of Tenant Petition. This notice is already included in the Tenant Petition form.
• Tenant Response to Owner Petition for Rent Increase(PDF, 365KB)
  Use this form to file a tenant response to an owner petition for rent increases. This form already includes the required Proof of Service.
• Tenant Response Form to Owner Petition for Exemption(PDF, 262KB)
  Use this form to file a tenant response to an owner petition for exemption from the Rent Adjustment Program. This form already includes the required Proof of Service.
• Tenant Response Form for Owner Petition for Extension of Time for Tenant Vacancy for Repairs(PDF, 250KB)
  Use this form to file a tenant response to an owner petition for extension of time for vacancy. This form already includes the required Proof of Service.
• Tenant Repayment Negotiation Information Sheet(PDF, 311KB)
• Petition for Determination of Tenant Protected Status(PDF, 274KB)
  Property owners and tenants may use this form to petition the Rent Adjustment Program for a hearing to address a tenant's claim of "protected status" as elderly, disabled, or catastrophically ill for the purposes of protection under the Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance.
• Response to Petition for Determination of Protected Status(PDF, 265KB)
  Property owners and tenants may use this form to respond to the Petition for Determination of Tenant Protected Status form that was filed by the tenant or property owner of their rental unit.
• Rent Adjustment Program Appeal Form(PDF, 205KB)
  Use this form to appeal a hearing decision for the Rent Adjustment Program.
• Proof of Service(PDF, 310KB)
  This document is a stand-alone Proof of Service that can be used to serve any other RAP document that does not already include a Proof of Service.
• Proof of Service (Fillable)(PDF, 323KB)
  This document is a stand-alone, fillable PDF version of the Proof of Service that can be used to serve any other RAP document that does not already include a Proof of Service.
• Request to Change Hearing Date for the Rent Adjustment Program Petition(PDF, 34KB)
  A request for a change of the date of hearing or mediation must be submitted on this form as early as possible. You must sign this request. Documentation verifying the reason for the request must be attached to this form.
• Request to Dismiss Rent Adjustment Program Petition(PDF, 82KB)
  Tenants may request to dismiss their petition if they move residences, if they'd wish to. Property Owners may also request to dismiss their petition if they'd wish to.
• Notice to Tenants of the Rent Adjustment Ordinance (English, Chinese, and Spanish)(PDF, 476KB)
  Under the Rent Adjustment Ordinance, property owners must give tenants a copy of the Notice of the Rent Adjustment Program ("The RAP Notice") (1) at the commencement of a tenancy and are required to give it in three languages English, Spanish, and Chinese, and (2) with every notice of rent increase (O.M.C 8.22.060, Rent Adjustment Ordinance Implementing Regulation 8.22.060.)
  
  Under the Tenant Protections Ordinance (TPO), property owners of buildings with at least one interior common area accessible by all the tenants must post the RAP Notice in at least one such common area per building (O.M.C. 8.22.640.E.)
• Notice to Tenants of the Tenant Protection Ordinance (English)(PDF, 2MB)
  The Tenant Protection Ordinance requires Owners to post a notice of the TPO in rental units in an inside common area of their building. The notice must use the form provided below.
• Request for Copies from the Rent Adjustment Program(PDF, 51KB)
  Tenants and property owners can use this form to request copies of case documents.