Oakland Renter’s Rights Attorney

Finding affordable housing can be challenging for renters in Oakland and other cities like San Francisco and Berkeley. There are local ordinances that limit rent increases and restrict evictions, but the sad reality is that landlords still regularly violate the rights of their tenants, assuming tenants won’t fight back because they don’t understand the law.

At Wolford Wayne, we are dedicated to seeking justice for tenants who are illegally evicted or harassed by their landlords. If you believe your landlord has violated the law, an Oakland renter’s rights attorney can evaluate your case and explain your legal options.

Protections for Oakland Renters

Rent and eviction control protections in Oakland apply to most, but not all, rental units. The Oakland Residential Rent Adjustment Program provides rent control for buildings with at least two units that have a certificate of occupancy before Jan. 1, 1983. Most buildings in Oakland that have a certificate of occupancy before Dec. 31, 1995, must follow the regulations and rules of the Oakland Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance which restricts how and when a landlord can evict a tenant.

Oakland Landlords Must Have Just Cause for Eviction

If a unit is covered by the Oakland Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance, a landlord cannot evict a tenant unless they have “just cause.” In Oakland, there are ten legally recognized reasons to evict a tenant. They include:

• Failing to pay rent or not paying rent on time
• Violating certain lease provisions after being asked to stop
• Refusing to sign a new lease that is substantially the same as your current one
• Damaging the unit and failing or refusing to pay for repairs
• Disturbing others after getting a written notice to stop 
• Using the unit for illegal activities, such as drug trafficking
• Refusing to allow the property manager in the property when they’ve given sufficient notice 
• The owner or a qualified relative wants to move into the unit
• The owner plans to take the unit off the market with the Ellis Act 
• The landlord wants to make upgrades to the unit that they cannot do with the tenant in place

Remember, the landlord must have one of the above reasons to evict you and even then alleging one of these reasons does not mean that it is legitimate. We have seen many unscrupulous landlords take illegal actions to remove tenants, such as:

• Changing the locks on doors
• Shutting off the utilities
• Moving tenants’ belongings onto the street
• Refusing to make necessary repairs
• Refusing to address pest infestations
• Evicting tenants through owner or relative move in evictions only to re-rent or sell the property
• Refusing to deal with harassing other tenants
• Sexually harassing tenants

All of these actions are illegal, and you may be entitled to damages under the law if the landlord treats you in this manner.

Contact an Oakland Renter’s  Rights Attorney for Help

If you believe you were illegally evicted or harassed by your landlord in Oakland, help is available. An Oakland renter’s rights attorney can review the circumstances of your case and help you determine the best course of action. 

The tenant lawyers at Wolford Wayne fight aggressively to hold landlords accountable for wrongful evictions, unfair rent increases, and more. We only represent tenants, never landlords, so you can trust that we’re truly on your side. If you’ve been forced out of your home or harassed by your landlord in Oakland, San Francisco, or Berkeley, we want to help. Contact us today for more information about how we can assist you.