Oakland Rent Adjustment Program (RAP): Allowable Rent Increases

What it requires

• Keep each increase on a covered unit within the allowable annual increase for the period when it takes effect (see Key Facts).
• Give no more than one increase in any 12-month period, and none earlier than 12 months after move-in.
• Serve at least 30 days’ written notice, with the City’s RAP Notice attached to every increase notice.
• Attach a current Business Tax Certificate. For an increase based only on the current allowable increase, a current payment plan with the City for delinquent business taxes also qualifies.
• Register covered units in the Oakland Rent Registry and renew by March 1 each year. Units built after January 1, 1983, and most single-family homes and condos, are exempt from the increase limit but may still need to register.

Owner checklist

• Coverage confirmed (certificate of occupancy date, building type) and Rent Registry renewed before March 1
• RAP Notice given at the start of the tenancy (skipping it can cost six months of a later increase)
• Increase checked against the rate for the period it takes effect
• RAP Notice and Business Tax Certificate attached to the increase notice
• Notice served at least 30 days before the new rent starts