Note: The online Request to Speak window has expired.
The online Comment window has expired
Agenda Item
S8 25-0792 Subject: Rent Adjustment Ordinance Amendment
From: Housing And Community Development Department
Recommendation: Adopt An Ordinance Amending The Rent Adjustment Ordinance To Allow Owners To Petition For Rent Increases Based On Increased Costs Of Waste Service Rates
My name is Janet Kobren. I live in District 2, I'm a renter, a senior, and a member of the Oakland Tenants Union.
Apartment building owners who profit from their investments in the rental industry in Oakland have known from the start that garbage and recycling costs are part of the package. Many if not most Oakland renters, who not only do not profit from their occupancy in rental units but pay higher and higher rents every year based on the annual CPI increases, are struggling with the effects of skyrocketing inflation. Senior renters in particular, most of whom live on fixed incomes and tight budgets, are also constantly faced with higher out-of-pocket healthcare costs, sometimes having to decide whether they can afford to pay for medical procedures over buying food or even paying rent. Another increase in their rents to pay for an increase in garbage and recycling costs could end up rendering some of them homeless.
The terms of the Zolly Settlement have already been met, and although increased garbage and recycling costs costs will impact apartment building owners' bottom lines, their lives would still remain comfortable and stable, unlike the lives of at risk renters, there is a RAP landlord petition process in place to request an increase in rent, so they should follow that path rather than try to game the system by submitting a special motion to the City Council that would bypass the RAP process.
The settlement terms have been met. The Ordinance already allows property owners to petition for fair returns. This amendment is unjust to the City of Oakland as a whole, and it could be used by owners to undermine the existing Ordinance, weaken tenant protections, and increase displacement.
I am a resident in District 2 and a member of the Oakland Tenants' Union. I urge you to REJECT this proposed amendment, as it would only help to chip away at the carefully balanced rent increase rules already in place. The existing Ordinance provides landlords the right to receive a fair return on service fees like the garbage collection addressed by the amendment; what the amendment introduces is merely a way to bypass these existing rules more freely, and a precedent for further incursions on protections against arbitrary rent increases.
The terms of the Zolly Settlement Agreement have already been met. This amendment serves no public good, instead promoting displacement, inflation, and economic hardship for renting Oaklanders in the years ahead. Do right by Oakland tenants and their communities, vote NO on this measure.
My name is Justin Forest. I am an Oakland resident of District 2 and a member of the Oakland Tenants Union. I am urging you to reject Item 5, "Rent Adjustment Ordinance Amendment" on the CED Committee Agenda. The adoption of this amendment is immoral because it would subject tenants to unjustified rent increases that a landlord can impose exceeding adopted rent increase limits and which tenants cannot question or petition.
Under the existing Ordinance, rental owners have a right to receive a fair return for the "housing service items" including all waste services. This amendment instead would add an unnecessary provision that would escape the scrutiny, fairness, and justification of rent increases, allowing owners to raise rents for "any increase in rates charged for Waste Services." 8.22.020 Definitions.
OTU and the tenants of Oakland urge the City Council to reject this amendment. The existing provisions of the Ordinance still allow landlords to receive their fair return, including from Waste Service costs increases. The amendment would add a new and awkward category of rent increases that are essentially independent and automatic, that supersede the CPI and maximum allowable rent increases of the Ordinance, and which could impose rent increases that cannot be protested or questioned by tenants.
My name is Amanda Chang and I am a staff member of Urban Habitat, an Oakland-based regional organization dedicated to advancing equitable policy and democratizing power. We urge you to the Rent Adjustment Ordinance Amendment. The adoption of this amendment would subject tenants to unjustified rent increases that a landlord can impose independently, potentially exceeding adopted rent increase limits and which tenants cannot question or petition.
Under the existing Ordinance rental owners have a right to receive a fair return for the "housing service items" including all waste services. This amendment instead would add an unnecessary provision that would escape the scrutiny, fairness, and justification of rent increases, allowing owners to raise rents for "any increase in rates charged for Waste Services." 8.22.020 Definitions.
All this amendment will do is increase displacement. Over time, the practice would destroy the carefully constructed balance of the City's Rent Adjustment Program and set an unpredictable precedent for any owner to independently remove any "housing service items" such as water, utilities, insurance, taxes, painting, elevator service, parking, security, required repairs, and others.
Please move to reject this poorly crafted ordinance without delay. Thank you.
I have been an Oakland resident since 2022. I am writing to you today to urge you to reject Item 5, "Rent Adjustment Ordinance Amendment" on the CED Committee Agenda. The adoption of this amendment would subject tenants to unjustified rent increases that a landlord can impose independently, potentially exceeding adopted rent increase limits. My rent has already increased several times since I moved here. An additional increase may mean relocating out of the city -- moving where I exercise, spend money dining with friends, supporting nearby local businesses by buying from them for my household and all healthcare needs, in any area of the lake that's already struggling to hold onto local businesses.
Under the existing Ordinance rental owners have a right to receive a fair return for the "housing service items" including all waste services. This amendment instead would add an unnecessary provision that would escape the fairness of rent increases, allowing owners to raise rents for "any increase in rates charged for Waste Services."
Over time, the practice would destroy the City's Rent Adjustment Program. Set an unpredictable precedent for any owner to independently remove any "housing service items" such as water, utilities, insurance, taxes, painting, elevator service, parking, security, required repairs, and others from the established, equitable procedure for evaluating operating costs.
Hi, my name is Rev. Robin Walker and I am a member of the Oakland Tenants Union. I already struggle to pay my rent. I urge the Committee to reject this proposal. The terms of the settlement have already been met. The existing provisions of the Ordinance still allow landlords to petition for rent increases based on increased costs, and this amendment is unnecessary and will be used by landlords as a means to bypass Oakland’s tenant protections and will greatly increase displacement across our city. I urge you to reject this amendment.
I am an Oakland resident in District 3 and a member of the Oakland Tenants Union. I am writing to you today to urge you to reject Item 5, "Rent Adjustment Ordinance Amendment" on the CED Committee Agenda. The adoption of this amendment would subject tenants to unjustified rent increases that a landlord can impose independently, potentially exceeding adopted rent increase limits and which tenants cannot question or petition.
Under the existing Ordinance rental owners have a right to receive a fair return for the "housing service items" including all waste services. This amendment instead would add an unnecessary provision that would escape the scrutiny, fairness, and justification of rent increases, allowing owners to raise rents for "any increase in rates charged for Waste Services."
All this amendment will do is increase displacement. Over time, the practice would destroy the carefully constructed balance of the City's Rent Adjustment Program. It will set an unpredictable precedent for any owner to independently remove any "housing service items" such as water, utilities, insurance, taxes, painting, elevator service, parking, security, required repairs, and others from the established, equitable procedure for evaluating the complexity of administrative and operating costs.
Now that the terms of this settlement agreement have been met, OTU and the tenants of Oakland urge the City Council to reject this amendment.
I am an Oakland resident in District 4 and member of the Oakland Tenants Union. I urge the City Council to reject Item S8, "Rent Adjustment Ordinance Amendment." Under the existing Ordinance rental owners have a right to receive a fair return for the "housing service items" including all waste services. We must fight to decrease and end displacement. This amendment would increase displacement and allow landlords to raise rents whenever there’s any increase in rates charged for Waste Services. The correct procedures are already in place that evaluate housing costs and ensure landlords receive a fair share. This amendment would destroy that important and complicated balance. The Settlement Agreement required City Council to consider this Amendment, and now that the terms of the settlement agreement have been met, this amendment should be considered and rejected.
I am Noel Forest, an Oakland tenant and member of the Oakland Tenants Union. Regarding Item 5 on the CED Committee Agenda, "Rent Adjustment Ordinance Amendment", I strongly urge you to reject the proposed amendment. Its adoption would subject tenants to rent increases that could exceed our current rent increase limits, and which we, as tenants, would have no avenue to question or petition.
Under this amendment, owners could automatically raise rents for "any increase in rates charged for Waste Services." (8.22.020 Definitions), escaping the scrutiny, fairness, and justification of normal rent increases.
If we allow this amendment to pass, it will set an unpredictable precedent for any owner to raise rents above the limit for things like water, utilities, insurance, taxes, painting, elevator service, parking, security, required repairs, and more – without due process. Over time, this amendment would destroy the carefully constructed balance of our city's Rent Adjustment Program. And we know that lack of rent control means more displacement and increased homelessness in our communities.
Furthermore, the existing provisions of the Ordinance already allow landlords to receive a fair return for "housing service items," including all waste services.
I am an Oakland resident and a member of the Oakland Tenants Union. I am writing to you today to urge you to reject Item 5, "Rent Adjustment Ordinance Amendment" on the CED Committee Agenda. The adoption of this amendment would subject tenants to unjustified rent increases that a landlord can impose independently, potentially exceeding adopted rent increase limits and which tenants cannot question or petition.
Under the existing Ordinance rental owners have a right to receive a fair return for the "housing service items" including all waste services. This amendment instead would add an unnecessary provision that would escape the scrutiny, fairness, and justification of rent increases, allowing owners to raise rents for "any increase in rates charged for Waste Services." 8.22.020 Definitions.
I urge the Council to reject this proposal. The terms of the settlement have already been met. The existing provisions of the Ordinance still allow landlords to petition for rent increases based on increased costs. This amendment is unnecessary and will be used by landlords as a means to bypass Oakland's tenant protections and will greatly increase displacement across our city. The health and safety of all Oakland residents depends on housing stability in the city. I urge you to reject this amendment.
Please reject Item 5, the proposed amendment to the Rent Adjustment Ordinance. This change would allow landlords to pass waste service cost increases directly onto tenants—automatically, with no oversight, and no opportunity for tenants to protest or petition the increase. It creates a dangerous backdoor rent hike that circumvents the City’s existing limits and the Rent Adjustment Program’s fair return process.
This is not a neutral update—it’s a structural weakening of tenant protections. It sets a precedent for landlords to carve out exemptions for other housing services like water, insurance, and repairs. Once one category is exempt, others will follow.
This risk is especially serious in Oakland, where local waste companies have a documented history of overcharging, contract loopholes, and rate manipulation. Tenants should not be forced to absorb unpredictable cost increases driven by corporate waste haulers with a track record of abuse.
The current Ordinance already allows landlords to petition for a fair return, including for increased waste service costs. There is no public interest served by eliminating accountability and tenant recourse.
I urge you to vote no on this amendment. Protect Oakland renters from unchecked rent inflation and preserve the integrity of the Rent Adjustment Program.
I'm very concerned about the increased displacement I see around the city in recent years. Letting landlords increase rents beyond the already reasonable accommodations will displace more tenants and encourage landlords to request even more pass-throughs to increase rent. I urge you to reject this proposal. The terms of the settlement have already been met. The existing provisions of the Ordinance still allow landlords to petition for rent increases based on increased costs, and this amendment is unnecessary and will be used by landlords as a means to bypass Oakland’s tenant protections.
Oakland Tenants Union and Oakland tenants in general strongly urge the City Council to "NOT CONSIDER" the tentative "Zolly Amendment" to the Rent Ordinance. The Court did not rule for this Amendment because it was "non-sensicaL." and therefore senT it for the Council's "consideration only" ... IF THE COUNCIL CHOOSES TO MAKE THIS KIND OF UNNECESSARY POLICY FOR ITS TENANT COMMUNITY. Please read the letter from OTU for a more complete analysis. PLEASE REMEMBER: NO VOTE IS NEEDED ON THIS MATTER.
Oakland Tenants Union and Oakland tenants in general strongly urge the City Council to "NOT CONSIDER" the tentative "Zolly Amendment" to the Rent Ordinance. The Court did not rule for this Amendment because it was "non-sensicaL." and therefore senT it for the Council's "consideration only" ... IF THE COUNCIL CHOOSES TO MAKE THIS KIND OF UNNECESSARY POLICY FOR ITS TENANT COMMUNITY. Please read the letter from OTU for a more complete analysis. PLEASE REMEMBER: NO VOTE IS NEEDED ON THIS MATTER.
Hi, my name is Eve Aruguete and I am a member of the Oakland Tenants Union. I already struggle to pay my rent. I urge the Committee to reject this proposal. The terms of the settlement have already been met. If the landlords who sued the City had felt confident enough in their argument, they would have waited to settle until after their preferred amendment passed. The landlords knew in the end they would have likely lost, but it would’ve taken time and money, so they took this settlement agreement to save face. The terms of the Zolly Settlement Agreement have been met, Council can now reject this ridiculous amendment.
This opens the door to the unlimited, incontestable rent increases which will only further threaten constituents’ living situations & destabilize neighborhoods.
Hi, I am a member of the Oakland Tenants Union. I already struggle to pay my rent. I urge the Committee to reject this proposal. The terms of the settlement have already been met. The existing provisions of the Ordinance still allow landlords to petition for rent increases based on increased costs, and this amendment is unnecessary and will be used by landlords as a means to bypass Oakland’s tenant protections and will greatly increase displacement across our city. I urge you to reject this amendment.
We must fight to decrease and end displacement. This amendment would instead allow landlords to increase my rent whenever there’s any increase in rates charged for Waste Services. The correct procedures are already in place that evaluate housing costs and ensure landlords receive a fair share. This amendment would destroy that important and complicated balance. I urge you to reject this amendment.
My name is Janet Kobren. I live in District 2, I'm a renter, a senior, and a member of the Oakland Tenants Union.
Apartment building owners who profit from their investments in the rental industry in Oakland have known from the start that garbage and recycling costs are part of the package. Many if not most Oakland renters, who not only do not profit from their occupancy in rental units but pay higher and higher rents every year based on the annual CPI increases, are struggling with the effects of skyrocketing inflation. Senior renters in particular, most of whom live on fixed incomes and tight budgets, are also constantly faced with higher out-of-pocket healthcare costs, sometimes having to decide whether they can afford to pay for medical procedures over buying food or even paying rent. Another increase in their rents to pay for an increase in garbage and recycling costs could end up rendering some of them homeless.
The terms of the Zolly Settlement have already been met, and although increased garbage and recycling costs costs will impact apartment building owners' bottom lines, their lives would still remain comfortable and stable, unlike the lives of at risk renters, there is a RAP landlord petition process in place to request an increase in rent, so they should follow that path rather than try to game the system by submitting a special motion to the City Council that would bypass the RAP process.
I urge you to vote against item S8.
Thank you.
The settlement terms have been met. The Ordinance already allows property owners to petition for fair returns. This amendment is unjust to the City of Oakland as a whole, and it could be used by owners to undermine the existing Ordinance, weaken tenant protections, and increase displacement.
I am a resident in District 2 and a member of the Oakland Tenants' Union. I urge you to REJECT this proposed amendment, as it would only help to chip away at the carefully balanced rent increase rules already in place. The existing Ordinance provides landlords the right to receive a fair return on service fees like the garbage collection addressed by the amendment; what the amendment introduces is merely a way to bypass these existing rules more freely, and a precedent for further incursions on protections against arbitrary rent increases.
The terms of the Zolly Settlement Agreement have already been met. This amendment serves no public good, instead promoting displacement, inflation, and economic hardship for renting Oaklanders in the years ahead. Do right by Oakland tenants and their communities, vote NO on this measure.
Dear City Council members,
My name is Justin Forest. I am an Oakland resident of District 2 and a member of the Oakland Tenants Union. I am urging you to reject Item 5, "Rent Adjustment Ordinance Amendment" on the CED Committee Agenda. The adoption of this amendment is immoral because it would subject tenants to unjustified rent increases that a landlord can impose exceeding adopted rent increase limits and which tenants cannot question or petition.
Under the existing Ordinance, rental owners have a right to receive a fair return for the "housing service items" including all waste services. This amendment instead would add an unnecessary provision that would escape the scrutiny, fairness, and justification of rent increases, allowing owners to raise rents for "any increase in rates charged for Waste Services." 8.22.020 Definitions.
OTU and the tenants of Oakland urge the City Council to reject this amendment. The existing provisions of the Ordinance still allow landlords to receive their fair return, including from Waste Service costs increases. The amendment would add a new and awkward category of rent increases that are essentially independent and automatic, that supersede the CPI and maximum allowable rent increases of the Ordinance, and which could impose rent increases that cannot be protested or questioned by tenants.
My name is Amanda Chang and I am a staff member of Urban Habitat, an Oakland-based regional organization dedicated to advancing equitable policy and democratizing power. We urge you to the Rent Adjustment Ordinance Amendment. The adoption of this amendment would subject tenants to unjustified rent increases that a landlord can impose independently, potentially exceeding adopted rent increase limits and which tenants cannot question or petition.
Under the existing Ordinance rental owners have a right to receive a fair return for the "housing service items" including all waste services. This amendment instead would add an unnecessary provision that would escape the scrutiny, fairness, and justification of rent increases, allowing owners to raise rents for "any increase in rates charged for Waste Services." 8.22.020 Definitions.
All this amendment will do is increase displacement. Over time, the practice would destroy the carefully constructed balance of the City's Rent Adjustment Program and set an unpredictable precedent for any owner to independently remove any "housing service items" such as water, utilities, insurance, taxes, painting, elevator service, parking, security, required repairs, and others.
Please move to reject this poorly crafted ordinance without delay. Thank you.
Dear Councilmembers,
I have been an Oakland resident since 2022. I am writing to you today to urge you to reject Item 5, "Rent Adjustment Ordinance Amendment" on the CED Committee Agenda. The adoption of this amendment would subject tenants to unjustified rent increases that a landlord can impose independently, potentially exceeding adopted rent increase limits. My rent has already increased several times since I moved here. An additional increase may mean relocating out of the city -- moving where I exercise, spend money dining with friends, supporting nearby local businesses by buying from them for my household and all healthcare needs, in any area of the lake that's already struggling to hold onto local businesses.
Under the existing Ordinance rental owners have a right to receive a fair return for the "housing service items" including all waste services. This amendment instead would add an unnecessary provision that would escape the fairness of rent increases, allowing owners to raise rents for "any increase in rates charged for Waste Services."
Over time, the practice would destroy the City's Rent Adjustment Program. Set an unpredictable precedent for any owner to independently remove any "housing service items" such as water, utilities, insurance, taxes, painting, elevator service, parking, security, required repairs, and others from the established, equitable procedure for evaluating operating costs.
Alaa Mostafa
District #2
Hi, my name is Rev. Robin Walker and I am a member of the Oakland Tenants Union. I already struggle to pay my rent. I urge the Committee to reject this proposal. The terms of the settlement have already been met. The existing provisions of the Ordinance still allow landlords to petition for rent increases based on increased costs, and this amendment is unnecessary and will be used by landlords as a means to bypass Oakland’s tenant protections and will greatly increase displacement across our city. I urge you to reject this amendment.
I am an Oakland resident in District 3 and a member of the Oakland Tenants Union. I am writing to you today to urge you to reject Item 5, "Rent Adjustment Ordinance Amendment" on the CED Committee Agenda. The adoption of this amendment would subject tenants to unjustified rent increases that a landlord can impose independently, potentially exceeding adopted rent increase limits and which tenants cannot question or petition.
Under the existing Ordinance rental owners have a right to receive a fair return for the "housing service items" including all waste services. This amendment instead would add an unnecessary provision that would escape the scrutiny, fairness, and justification of rent increases, allowing owners to raise rents for "any increase in rates charged for Waste Services."
All this amendment will do is increase displacement. Over time, the practice would destroy the carefully constructed balance of the City's Rent Adjustment Program. It will set an unpredictable precedent for any owner to independently remove any "housing service items" such as water, utilities, insurance, taxes, painting, elevator service, parking, security, required repairs, and others from the established, equitable procedure for evaluating the complexity of administrative and operating costs.
Now that the terms of this settlement agreement have been met, OTU and the tenants of Oakland urge the City Council to reject this amendment.
I am an Oakland resident in District 4 and member of the Oakland Tenants Union. I urge the City Council to reject Item S8, "Rent Adjustment Ordinance Amendment." Under the existing Ordinance rental owners have a right to receive a fair return for the "housing service items" including all waste services. We must fight to decrease and end displacement. This amendment would increase displacement and allow landlords to raise rents whenever there’s any increase in rates charged for Waste Services. The correct procedures are already in place that evaluate housing costs and ensure landlords receive a fair share. This amendment would destroy that important and complicated balance. The Settlement Agreement required City Council to consider this Amendment, and now that the terms of the settlement agreement have been met, this amendment should be considered and rejected.
I am Noel Forest, an Oakland tenant and member of the Oakland Tenants Union. Regarding Item 5 on the CED Committee Agenda, "Rent Adjustment Ordinance Amendment", I strongly urge you to reject the proposed amendment. Its adoption would subject tenants to rent increases that could exceed our current rent increase limits, and which we, as tenants, would have no avenue to question or petition.
Under this amendment, owners could automatically raise rents for "any increase in rates charged for Waste Services." (8.22.020 Definitions), escaping the scrutiny, fairness, and justification of normal rent increases.
If we allow this amendment to pass, it will set an unpredictable precedent for any owner to raise rents above the limit for things like water, utilities, insurance, taxes, painting, elevator service, parking, security, required repairs, and more – without due process. Over time, this amendment would destroy the carefully constructed balance of our city's Rent Adjustment Program. And we know that lack of rent control means more displacement and increased homelessness in our communities.
Furthermore, the existing provisions of the Ordinance already allow landlords to receive a fair return for "housing service items," including all waste services.
I am an Oakland resident and a member of the Oakland Tenants Union. I am writing to you today to urge you to reject Item 5, "Rent Adjustment Ordinance Amendment" on the CED Committee Agenda. The adoption of this amendment would subject tenants to unjustified rent increases that a landlord can impose independently, potentially exceeding adopted rent increase limits and which tenants cannot question or petition.
Under the existing Ordinance rental owners have a right to receive a fair return for the "housing service items" including all waste services. This amendment instead would add an unnecessary provision that would escape the scrutiny, fairness, and justification of rent increases, allowing owners to raise rents for "any increase in rates charged for Waste Services." 8.22.020 Definitions.
Eman Desouky
District #12
I urge the Council to reject this proposal. The terms of the settlement have already been met. The existing provisions of the Ordinance still allow landlords to petition for rent increases based on increased costs. This amendment is unnecessary and will be used by landlords as a means to bypass Oakland's tenant protections and will greatly increase displacement across our city. The health and safety of all Oakland residents depends on housing stability in the city. I urge you to reject this amendment.
Dear City Councilmembers,
Please reject Item 5, the proposed amendment to the Rent Adjustment Ordinance. This change would allow landlords to pass waste service cost increases directly onto tenants—automatically, with no oversight, and no opportunity for tenants to protest or petition the increase. It creates a dangerous backdoor rent hike that circumvents the City’s existing limits and the Rent Adjustment Program’s fair return process.
This is not a neutral update—it’s a structural weakening of tenant protections. It sets a precedent for landlords to carve out exemptions for other housing services like water, insurance, and repairs. Once one category is exempt, others will follow.
This risk is especially serious in Oakland, where local waste companies have a documented history of overcharging, contract loopholes, and rate manipulation. Tenants should not be forced to absorb unpredictable cost increases driven by corporate waste haulers with a track record of abuse.
The current Ordinance already allows landlords to petition for a fair return, including for increased waste service costs. There is no public interest served by eliminating accountability and tenant recourse.
I urge you to vote no on this amendment. Protect Oakland renters from unchecked rent inflation and preserve the integrity of the Rent Adjustment Program.
Sincerely,
M. Fox
225 Clifton St
Oakland
I'm very concerned about the increased displacement I see around the city in recent years. Letting landlords increase rents beyond the already reasonable accommodations will displace more tenants and encourage landlords to request even more pass-throughs to increase rent. I urge you to reject this proposal. The terms of the settlement have already been met. The existing provisions of the Ordinance still allow landlords to petition for rent increases based on increased costs, and this amendment is unnecessary and will be used by landlords as a means to bypass Oakland’s tenant protections.
Oakland Tenants Union and Oakland tenants in general strongly urge the City Council to "NOT CONSIDER" the tentative "Zolly Amendment" to the Rent Ordinance. The Court did not rule for this Amendment because it was "non-sensicaL." and therefore senT it for the Council's "consideration only" ... IF THE COUNCIL CHOOSES TO MAKE THIS KIND OF UNNECESSARY POLICY FOR ITS TENANT COMMUNITY. Please read the letter from OTU for a more complete analysis. PLEASE REMEMBER: NO VOTE IS NEEDED ON THIS MATTER.
Oakland Tenants Union and Oakland tenants in general strongly urge the City Council to "NOT CONSIDER" the tentative "Zolly Amendment" to the Rent Ordinance. The Court did not rule for this Amendment because it was "non-sensicaL." and therefore senT it for the Council's "consideration only" ... IF THE COUNCIL CHOOSES TO MAKE THIS KIND OF UNNECESSARY POLICY FOR ITS TENANT COMMUNITY. Please read the letter from OTU for a more complete analysis. PLEASE REMEMBER: NO VOTE IS NEEDED ON THIS MATTER.
Hi, my name is Eve Aruguete and I am a member of the Oakland Tenants Union. I already struggle to pay my rent. I urge the Committee to reject this proposal. The terms of the settlement have already been met. If the landlords who sued the City had felt confident enough in their argument, they would have waited to settle until after their preferred amendment passed. The landlords knew in the end they would have likely lost, but it would’ve taken time and money, so they took this settlement agreement to save face. The terms of the Zolly Settlement Agreement have been met, Council can now reject this ridiculous amendment.
This opens the door to the unlimited, incontestable rent increases which will only further threaten constituents’ living situations & destabilize neighborhoods.
Hi, I am a member of the Oakland Tenants Union. I already struggle to pay my rent. I urge the Committee to reject this proposal. The terms of the settlement have already been met. The existing provisions of the Ordinance still allow landlords to petition for rent increases based on increased costs, and this amendment is unnecessary and will be used by landlords as a means to bypass Oakland’s tenant protections and will greatly increase displacement across our city. I urge you to reject this amendment.
We must fight to decrease and end displacement. This amendment would instead allow landlords to increase my rent whenever there’s any increase in rates charged for Waste Services. The correct procedures are already in place that evaluate housing costs and ensure landlords receive a fair share. This amendment would destroy that important and complicated balance. I urge you to reject this amendment.