Oakland Rent Registry Counseling Sessions Available
Live Counseling Sessions for Rent Registry:
Due to the high volume of Rent Registry inquiries, RAP is offering live counseling sessions through July 3, 2023, to help answer any questions you may have! Live counseling sessions will take place through July 3, 2023, on the following days/times:
Mondays: 10:30 am – Noon
Tuesdays: 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Wednesdays: 10:30 am – Noon
Thursdays: 10:30 am – Noon
Click HERE to join during the scheduled time frames.
1.) PROPERTY REGISTRATION FORM
This form is required for all properties; it may be used to register covered units and to claim units exempt. It may also be used to update a rental property’s ownership information and/or update owner/manager contact information.
Owners/managers must complete this form for EACH RENTED UNIT that is covered by the registration requirement.
For example, if an owner has a property that is comprised of two units and both are rented, then the owner must submit 1) a Property Registration Form, and 2) two Tenancy Registration forms (one for each rented unit).
Note: Tenancy Registration Forms are NOT required for exempt units or vacant units.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
My tenant receives a Section 8 Housing Choice voucher. What rent should I report?
The rent to report is the total contract rent received for the unit.
What does “Number of Occupants” refer to?
This refers to any occupants above the age of 18 as listed on the original lease, plus any additional occupants that have been added as defined by OMC 8.22.020.
I don’t know the names of all of the tenants in this unit. What should I do?
Provide the names of the tenants to the best of your knowledge. Provide tenant names only for leaseholding tenants above the age of 18.
I am renting my unit to a master tenant who is subletting the unit. How do I register?
In this case, the owner should report only the tenancy information for the master tenant.
I don’t know my tenants’ email addresses. What should I do?
Owners who do not know their tenants’ emails can indicate that this information is unknown. In the online registration portal, owners can provide the following email to indicate that this information is unknown: noemail@email.com
I don’t have all the information that is being requested for my tenant. What should I do?
Rent Adjustment Regulation Section 8.22.510 requires that owners make a good faith and lawful effort to obtain all information required under the Rent Registry Ordinance. If they are not able to obtain the exact information after making a lawful, good-faith effort, then they can make an approximation or indicate that the information is unknown. Owners must sign a declaration under penalty of perjury that they have tried to obtain all information and that they are providing the information to the best of their ability.
My rental unit is vacant right now, but is available for rent. How should I report this?
If you are registering online, you can select “Vacant-Available” for occupant type when adding the unit to the Unit Inventory.
If you are registering using registration forms, you can list the unit on the Property Registration Form and indicate that the unit is “Vacant-available,” and provide the date that the unit became vacant. A Tenancy Registration Form is not required for a vacant unit.
One of my rental units is vacant and is currently not available for rent. What do I do?
If you are registering online, you can select “Vacant-not available” for occupant type.
If you are registering using registration forms, you can list the unit on the Property Registration Form and indicate that the unit is “Vacant-not available,” and provide the date that the unit became vacant.
Note: If the unit is vacant for the entire fiscal year (July 1, 2022-June 30, 2023), then it may be claimed exempt from the registration requirement. In order to be granted this exemption, the owner/manager must complete a written explanation for why the unit is vacant and unavailable for rent for the entire fiscal year.
One of my units is occupied by a family member who is not paying any rent. How do I register?
If you are registering online: When adding the unit to the unit inventory you can select “Rent free occupant” for occupant type when adding the unit to the Unit Inventory. You can then apply for an exemption on the grounds that the unit is occupied rent free.
If you are registering using registration forms: You can claim this unit exempt in Section 11 (Property Registration Form), and indicate that the property is occupied rent free.
If you are registering using registration forms, then you can indicate on the Tenancy Registration Form that the rent is $0. Please provide other requested information for the unit to the best of your knowledge and ability (number of bedrooms/bathrooms, date occupant moved in, number of occupants, etc.).
I received a letter stating that I need to register my single-family home, but I live here and am not renting out any part of my property. What should I do?
Fully owner-occupied units are exempt from the registration requirement. If you received a letter to register, and you owner-occupy your home, then you should claim your unit exempt from the rent registry so as not to receive further registration communications.
I need more help!
RAP is supporting Oakland property owners and managers in the following ways:
“How to Register” Workshops: RAP is offering four workshops during May and June 2023. In these workshops, staff will go over the step-by-step registration process, as well as the process for claiming an exemption. Staff will also answer questions about the registration process.
Register for a workshop here.
Contact the Registration team at rentregistry@oaklandca.gov. Please include the property address you are inquiring about. Or call a RAP staff member at (510) 238-3721 during our normal business hours: Monday through Thursday, from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.