3 20-0228 Subject: Tenant Protection, Just Cause, & Rent Ordinance Amendments
From: City Attorney Parker, Councilmember Bas And Pro Tem Kalb
Recommendation: Adopt An Ordinance Amending Chapter 8.22 Of The Oakland Municipal Code (Residential Rent Adjustments And Evictions) To (1) Limit The Maximum Rent Increase In Any One Year To Conform To State Law; (2) Make Failure To Pay Required Relocation Benefits An Affirmative Defense To Eviction; (3) Limit Late Fees; (4) Prohibit Unilaterally Imposed Changes To Terms Of Tenancy; (5) Add One-For-One Replacement Of Roommates To The Definition Of Housing Services; (6) Prohibit Eviction Based On Additional Occupants If Landlord Unreasonably Refused Tenant's Written Request To Add Occupant(S); And (7) Strengthen Tenants' Rights And Enforcement Of Tenants' Rights Under The Tenant Protection Ordinance [TITLE CHANGE]
My name is Claire Whitmer, and I am an Oakland tenant in district 3. It is essential that you protect tenants from abuse and harassment by passing these amendments. Tenants are organizing across the country to cancel rent and prevent the displacement of folks of color. Please pass the tenant protection upgrades and stop landlords from harassing and retaliating against folks.
My name is Meredith Groves, and I am an Oakland tenant in district 3. I urge you to pass strong upgrades to Oakland’s tenant protections today, and I also support Oakland worker's right to recall.
As Coronavirus continues to wreak havoc on our nation and community, we must stand with one another. Now more than ever, it is imperative to protect tenants from abuse and harassment. We need to make sure the laws stop bad actors from displacing more tenants of color from Oakland.
With the housing affordability crisis & Covid-19, working-class people in Oakland are highly vulnerable to displacement. Our people need strong protections. We can’t let this pandemic mean another wave of DisasterCapitalism & Black and Brown displacement in Oakland. Before and after the pandemic, Oaklanders need strong protections to keep tenants in their homes and to stop abuse and harassment from bad-acting landlords. Please take care of our community.
I am an Oakland homeowner in District 1. Working-class people in Oakland are highly vulnerable to displacement. Our people need strong protections. Now more than ever, it is imperative to protect tenants from abuse and harassment. Vote in favor of the tenant protection, just cause, and rent ordinance amendments.
I was born and raised in Oakland and I have been a landlord in Oakland for over 25 years. Even as a landlord, I believe tenants need rights to assure the process is fair to both parties. That is why I strongly oppose this legislation. It is vague, perpetuates divisiveness, and takes away my rights to my own property. Contrary to what many people assume, many small landlords like myself are barely getting by and are extremely fair in their transactions with tenants. I have always been very accommodating to my tenants and maintained respectful relationships with them. It now feels like Oakland City Council wants to give the tenants more control over my property than I have. This type of extreme legislation is pushing more and more small owners out of the rental market which only exasperate the housing shortage. Please represent all your constituents which includes small landlords and oppose this legislation. Thank you.
I am an Oakland homeowner who supports tenants rights! Protect Oakland renters and approve this ordinance today to stop more Black and brown people from being pushed out of our city. We need the council to take action, we are in a crisis.
As an Oakland homeowner in district 1, I urge you to pass strong upgrades to Oakland’s tenant protections. I also support Oakland worker's right to recall. Now more than ever, it is imperative to protect tenants from abuse and harassment. Over the last decade, I've seen too many neighbors evicted to enable the landlords to hike up the rent, causing economic hardship to folks who are not getting that level of raises from their employers. Especially with COVID, folks should be able to stay in their homes - not be pushed to the street. Please make sure the laws stop bad actors from displacing more tenants of color from Oakland.
As a tenant's rights advocate in the SF Bay Area, I fully support this amendment to Chapter 8.22. During this time of crisis, it is pertinent that tenants' voices be heard, and that their rights be strengthened. Many families are being laid off, and the result of not providing protection to tenants now will create a severe rise in homelessness. Please make this change, as now is the time for action.
I am a tenant and resident of Oakland. I fully support this amendment to chapter 8.22 of the Oakland Municipal Code. This strengthening of tenant protections will allow me and many others to continue being community members in this beautiful city.
What is the likely result if these amendments are not passed? You know the answer is lots more unhoused people. The pandemic has made a bad situation worse and we must do everything possible to ensure people are not evicted.
Folks this is hurting real people. The eviction moratorium extension could last a long time. Not being able to select who you live with is just wrong. Should postpone this item to fix these big problems. City will be sued!
I am an Oakland tenant, and I urge you to pass the upgrades to the tenant protection ordinance. At all times, but especially during a pandemic, tenants need to know that landlords cannot arbitrarily and unilaterally evict them. Right now, the system is opaque and easily manipulated by landlords, and tenants need the city's support.
Hello, as a small time business Owner (owner occupied triplex) in District 5, we rely on good working relationships with our tenants. The current crisis was not made by small business owners and we should not be forced to take RISKS and jeapordize our health, or tenants health and neighbors by legislation that forces us to exceed the per unit occupancy limits. In addition, property owners have a responsibility to their tenants to screen potential neighbors (since tenants are our neighbors) to ensure they follow the laws and all reasonable terms in a lease and habitability guidelines. Property owners take all the risk of owning property already (4x's higher business tax, the highest assessments + taxes in the Bay Area, water and garbage fees tripled in last decade, all without any compensation given to small businesses/ property owners). When will the City Council stop bleeding small businesses/ small landlords, especially when a majority are on fixed income/ seniors and in the same boat as many other Oaklanders suffering due to lack of housing built over last few decades. Restricting housing policies will make the matter worse and further reduce housing stock, NOT add housing.
I am an Oakland tenant in D3, previously D5 and before that D2. I support this strengthening of the tenant protection ordinance. These additions are necessary because all over Oakland landlords (even "small landlords") are harassing and taking advantage of tenants by playing the system which is leading to even more homelessness during COVID-19. Tenant protections are both human rights & public health.
UNITE HERE Local 2850 strongly supports the proposed ordinance to strengthen Oakland's tenant protections. The City needs to do everything in its power to prevent displacement of working class residents, and this is a step in the right direction.
As an advocate for low-income immigrants and communities of color in the SF Bay Area, I've had many opportunities to directly hear from tenants who face eviction and struggle to find affordable and safe housing. As an unemployment rate continues to soar due to the global COVID19 pandemic, the low-wage essential workers are faced with multiple and overlapping issues of losing their jobs, having to provide financial support for their children and parents and not being able to pay rent on time. In these very challenging times, there must be sound solutions that are more supportive of low-wage workers and poor families. It is a well established fact that the cost of rent outpaces these families' wages in the Bay Area. This is a time to strengthen tenants' rights.
My name is Megan Prier, and I am an Oakland tenant in District 5. I strongly urge you to pass strong upgrades to Oakland’s tenant protections on Monday. I also support Oakland worker's right to recall. Now more than ever, it is imperative to protect tenants from abuse and harassment. We need to make sure the laws stop bad actors from displacing more tenants of color from Oakland.
As a tenant's rights attorney in the San Francisco Bay Area, I support amending Chapter 8.22 of the Oakland Municipal Code to:
1) Stop landlords from unilaterally changing the terms of tenants’ rental agreements
2) Limit late fees charged to tenants
3) Allow tenants to add new occupants to under-occupied apartments without fear of eviction
4) Protect tenants from eviction if their landlord has not paid the relocation fees required by law
5) Add special penalties for harming tenants who are elderly, disabled, or catastrophically ill
6) Prevent landlords from threatening to report a tenant’s family or friends to a government agency because of their immigration status.
I believe these amendments will go a long way in supporting tenants rights in a time when the need is greater than ever considering the many impacts of pandemic on tenants trying to desperately hold on to affordable housing in the bay area.
My name is Claire Whitmer, and I am an Oakland tenant in district 3. It is essential that you protect tenants from abuse and harassment by passing these amendments. Tenants are organizing across the country to cancel rent and prevent the displacement of folks of color. Please pass the tenant protection upgrades and stop landlords from harassing and retaliating against folks.
My name is Meredith Groves, and I am an Oakland tenant in district 3. I urge you to pass strong upgrades to Oakland’s tenant protections today, and I also support Oakland worker's right to recall.
As Coronavirus continues to wreak havoc on our nation and community, we must stand with one another. Now more than ever, it is imperative to protect tenants from abuse and harassment. We need to make sure the laws stop bad actors from displacing more tenants of color from Oakland.
With the housing affordability crisis & Covid-19, working-class people in Oakland are highly vulnerable to displacement. Our people need strong protections. We can’t let this pandemic mean another wave of DisasterCapitalism & Black and Brown displacement in Oakland. Before and after the pandemic, Oaklanders need strong protections to keep tenants in their homes and to stop abuse and harassment from bad-acting landlords. Please take care of our community.
I am an Oakland homeowner in District 1. Working-class people in Oakland are highly vulnerable to displacement. Our people need strong protections. Now more than ever, it is imperative to protect tenants from abuse and harassment. Vote in favor of the tenant protection, just cause, and rent ordinance amendments.
I was born and raised in Oakland and I have been a landlord in Oakland for over 25 years. Even as a landlord, I believe tenants need rights to assure the process is fair to both parties. That is why I strongly oppose this legislation. It is vague, perpetuates divisiveness, and takes away my rights to my own property. Contrary to what many people assume, many small landlords like myself are barely getting by and are extremely fair in their transactions with tenants. I have always been very accommodating to my tenants and maintained respectful relationships with them. It now feels like Oakland City Council wants to give the tenants more control over my property than I have. This type of extreme legislation is pushing more and more small owners out of the rental market which only exasperate the housing shortage. Please represent all your constituents which includes small landlords and oppose this legislation. Thank you.
I am an Oakland homeowner who supports tenants rights! Protect Oakland renters and approve this ordinance today to stop more Black and brown people from being pushed out of our city. We need the council to take action, we are in a crisis.
Liana M.
District 7 homeowner/ voter
As an Oakland homeowner in district 1, I urge you to pass strong upgrades to Oakland’s tenant protections. I also support Oakland worker's right to recall. Now more than ever, it is imperative to protect tenants from abuse and harassment. Over the last decade, I've seen too many neighbors evicted to enable the landlords to hike up the rent, causing economic hardship to folks who are not getting that level of raises from their employers. Especially with COVID, folks should be able to stay in their homes - not be pushed to the street. Please make sure the laws stop bad actors from displacing more tenants of color from Oakland.
I support this measure to strengthen tenants rights in Oakland.
As a tenant's rights advocate in the SF Bay Area, I fully support this amendment to Chapter 8.22. During this time of crisis, it is pertinent that tenants' voices be heard, and that their rights be strengthened. Many families are being laid off, and the result of not providing protection to tenants now will create a severe rise in homelessness. Please make this change, as now is the time for action.
I am a tenant and resident of Oakland. I fully support this amendment to chapter 8.22 of the Oakland Municipal Code. This strengthening of tenant protections will allow me and many others to continue being community members in this beautiful city.
What is the likely result if these amendments are not passed? You know the answer is lots more unhoused people. The pandemic has made a bad situation worse and we must do everything possible to ensure people are not evicted.
Folks this is hurting real people. The eviction moratorium extension could last a long time. Not being able to select who you live with is just wrong. Should postpone this item to fix these big problems. City will be sued!
Insufficient input from small minority owned rental property owners. Covid changes everything. Delay action.
I am an Oakland tenant, and I urge you to pass the upgrades to the tenant protection ordinance. At all times, but especially during a pandemic, tenants need to know that landlords cannot arbitrarily and unilaterally evict them. Right now, the system is opaque and easily manipulated by landlords, and tenants need the city's support.
Hello, as a small time business Owner (owner occupied triplex) in District 5, we rely on good working relationships with our tenants. The current crisis was not made by small business owners and we should not be forced to take RISKS and jeapordize our health, or tenants health and neighbors by legislation that forces us to exceed the per unit occupancy limits. In addition, property owners have a responsibility to their tenants to screen potential neighbors (since tenants are our neighbors) to ensure they follow the laws and all reasonable terms in a lease and habitability guidelines. Property owners take all the risk of owning property already (4x's higher business tax, the highest assessments + taxes in the Bay Area, water and garbage fees tripled in last decade, all without any compensation given to small businesses/ property owners). When will the City Council stop bleeding small businesses/ small landlords, especially when a majority are on fixed income/ seniors and in the same boat as many other Oaklanders suffering due to lack of housing built over last few decades. Restricting housing policies will make the matter worse and further reduce housing stock, NOT add housing.
I support these amendments. We need to protect tenants at this difficult time.
I am an Oakland tenant in D3, previously D5 and before that D2. I support this strengthening of the tenant protection ordinance. These additions are necessary because all over Oakland landlords (even "small landlords") are harassing and taking advantage of tenants by playing the system which is leading to even more homelessness during COVID-19. Tenant protections are both human rights & public health.
UNITE HERE Local 2850 strongly supports the proposed ordinance to strengthen Oakland's tenant protections. The City needs to do everything in its power to prevent displacement of working class residents, and this is a step in the right direction.
As an advocate for low-income immigrants and communities of color in the SF Bay Area, I've had many opportunities to directly hear from tenants who face eviction and struggle to find affordable and safe housing. As an unemployment rate continues to soar due to the global COVID19 pandemic, the low-wage essential workers are faced with multiple and overlapping issues of losing their jobs, having to provide financial support for their children and parents and not being able to pay rent on time. In these very challenging times, there must be sound solutions that are more supportive of low-wage workers and poor families. It is a well established fact that the cost of rent outpaces these families' wages in the Bay Area. This is a time to strengthen tenants' rights.
My name is Megan Prier, and I am an Oakland tenant in District 5. I strongly urge you to pass strong upgrades to Oakland’s tenant protections on Monday. I also support Oakland worker's right to recall. Now more than ever, it is imperative to protect tenants from abuse and harassment. We need to make sure the laws stop bad actors from displacing more tenants of color from Oakland.
As a tenant's rights attorney in the San Francisco Bay Area, I support amending Chapter 8.22 of the Oakland Municipal Code to:
1) Stop landlords from unilaterally changing the terms of tenants’ rental agreements
2) Limit late fees charged to tenants
3) Allow tenants to add new occupants to under-occupied apartments without fear of eviction
4) Protect tenants from eviction if their landlord has not paid the relocation fees required by law
5) Add special penalties for harming tenants who are elderly, disabled, or catastrophically ill
6) Prevent landlords from threatening to report a tenant’s family or friends to a government agency because of their immigration status.
I believe these amendments will go a long way in supporting tenants rights in a time when the need is greater than ever considering the many impacts of pandemic on tenants trying to desperately hold on to affordable housing in the bay area.