Oakland RAP Fee and Rent Registry

What it requires

• Pay the Rent Program Service Fee for each unit covered by the Rent Adjustment Ordinance or the Just Cause ordinance. It is due January 1 and delinquent after March 1.
• If you pay on time, you may pass half the fee through to the tenant of a rent-controlled unit. Penalties and interest can’t be passed through.
• Late payment adds 10% to 50% of the fee, plus 1% interest a month. An unpaid owner can’t petition for an increase or respond to a tenant petition.
• Register each covered unit, including tenancy and rent details, by March 1 each year. An unregistered owner forfeits six months of a contested rent increase (unless registered at least six months before the notice), can’t file or respond to a RAP petition without proof of registration, and gives the tenant a defense to most evictions if not in compliance when the termination notice is served (O.M.C. 8.22.360).

Owner checklist

• RAP fee paid before March 1
• Rent Registry updated by March 1
• Business Tax Certificate current (also due March 1)
• Half-fee pass-through billed only if the fee was paid on time