Leasing in Oakland, California, creates havoc for inexperienced owners. Oakland has. "Just Cause" rental ordinance to protect tenants against unlawful evictions. I get calls weekly from owners discussing this subject matter.
Leasing in Oakland is all about procedures, being patient, and making sure you updated on the new forms for rental housing. It is not rocket science at all. Let's start backward and work our way forward to help you. Everything we discuss in this series would be about walking back to come forward.
Rent Adjustment Program is run and created by Oakland City Government. You should familiarize yourself with this form as it will be your bible of sorts for the rental business. There are three variations of this form in English, Chinese and Spanish. Your tenants' new(New Move-ins) should always get this notice, and you should have them sign it.
What if you have current tenants that have never signed the RAP Notice? Use common sense, explain the importance of knowing their rights, and inform people. Tell your property management company to do their job and ask your property manager if they have the updated forms in use or not.
The goal is not evicting people; the goal is compliance, a safe place to live, and providing tenants' professional services. A smart property management firm will handle this for you with ease.
It advises tenants of their rights. It is similar to a person's Miranda Rights. If you get into issues with tenants that revolve around Tenancy, this form will always be brought up by all parties trying to stop your actions against the tenant.
Have it signed by all tenants on the lease upon move-in, do yourself a favor, don't take shortcuts, it helps you, and the tenant gets informed. That form acronym: "RAP", "Rent Adjustment Program" for Oakland. Google it. It will pop up for Oakland, California.
In our next series, we will discuss leasing contracts. Right now, let's get you working on your RAP Notice compliance issues, make sure each new tenant signs them, and make sure existing tenants get the updated forms. Let's talk again soon.
Jonathan Fleming runs openworldroperties.com, a division of Jonathan Fleming & Associates, Inc., that serves residential and commercial landlords.
