File a Property Owner Petition

To make an appointment, please email RAP@oaklandca.gov or call (510) 238-3721.

Due to the local emergency, we are no longer accepting in-person petition applications and related materials in our office. All new petitions and petition-related documents can be submitted via email, by mail or online (see below). Please number sequentially all pages submitted (other than the petition). In order for your petition to be considered complete, the petition MUST be filed with a proof of service form, which is already included in the Owner Petitions.

1.) By Email: To file your petition, please send petition and petition related documents to hearingsunit@oaklandca.gov. Once received you will receive a confirmation email.

2.) By Mail:

To file your petition, please submit to the following address:

Rent Adjustment Program

c/o Hearings Unit

250 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Suite 5313

Oakland, CA 94612

3.) Online Petition Filing: We also offer an online portal where you can complete and submit your petitions and all petition-related forms online. To complete and file a Property Owner Petition for Rent Increase or Exemption Online, click here.

Due to the Shelter In Place Order issued on March 16, 2020, all drop-in housing counseling and workshops have been canceled.

Rent Program staff members remain available to assist members of the public by phone at (510) 238 - 3721 during normal business hours Monday - Friday, 9:30 am - 4:30 pm. Please leave a message and a housing counselor will return your call within 24 hours. You may also email us at rap@oaklandca.gov.

Rent increases based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) are allowed. Rent increases based on banking also are allowed. Banking includes any CPI-based rent increase that the landlord delays. The property owner can impose these increases at a later date.

Property owners who want to increase rent more than the CPI increase must submit a petition.

Property owners may file petitions for:

A certificate of exemption

Property owners may petition for exemption from the Rent Adjustment Program if they meet certain qualifications.

Use the Landlord Petition for Exemption from the Rent Adjustment Ordinance to file.

Approval of a rent increase above the annual CPI increase:

Property owners who want to increase rent more than the CPI increase must submit a petition.

Use the Property Owner Petition Form for Approval of Rent Increase to file.

Challenge a Tenant's Claim of Protected Status

Property owners may file a petition in response to a tenant claiming a protected status.

Use Property Owner Petition Form for Determination of Tenant Protected Status.

• Please attach to the petition any copies of documents related to your case.
• You can update your contact information and add supporting documents up until 7 days before your set hearing date.

You can complete and submit the petition online or download and complete the form. You can submit your downloaded and completed forms:

• By Email
• By Mail

Representatives

Consultants, lawyers, advocates, or other representatives may help file the petition and represent the tenant or owner during the hearing. They must be identified on the petition form or in a letter to Rent Adjustment Program.

Mailing Address:

250 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Suite 5313
Oakland, California 94612