There were quite a few rent control and tenant protection measures on the ballots in the Bay Area. We’ll take a look at the most important ones, starting with Oakland’s Measure JJ.
Oakland’s Measure JJ passed with a very strong 75% of the vote. Measure JJ amends the Oakland Rent Adjustment Ordinance and the Oakland Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance (passed as Measure EE in 2002) to strengthen rent control and expand eviction protections.
Specifically, Measure JJ provides that:
- Landlords must petition the Oakland Rent Board before issuing any rent increase notice raising a tenant’s rent beyond the annual allowable limit tied to the CPI;
- The just cause eviction protections in Measure EE are expanded to include all units constructed on or before December 31, 1995;
- The City will prepare detailed reports on the number of evictions, types of evictions, and other Oakland rental data; and
- The City will provide searchable databases of Rent Board hearing decisions, appeals, and notices.
Previously, the burden was on the tenant to challenge an illegal rent increase. If the tenant filed to do so within 60 days, the tenant could not challenge the increase. Measure JJ shifts the burden to the landlord to petition for a rent increase exceeding the annual allowable limit.
The just cause eviction protections previously only covered units built before October 14, 1980. Extending this date to December 31, 1995 means that an additional 12,000 units now have just cause eviction protections. Interestingly, many of these units will not have rent control even though they have eviction protections. The eligibility cutoff for rent control is January 1, 1983–meaning that units built prior to January 1, 1983 have rent control and eviction protections. Units built between January 1, 1983 and December 31, 1995 only have eviction protection. Units built after December 31, 1995 have neither rent control nor eviction protection. (Note: Of course, single family homes and condos are generally exempt from rent control regardless of when they were constructed.)
Measure JJ is a small step forward for Oakland renters. Congratulations to all who supported and fought for it, and especially to the Oakland tenants who will benefit from it.