Pursuant to the formula, which ties the local Oakland rent increase to the regional Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase, the Oakland Rent Board published a 6.7% allowable rent increase that was set to go into effect on July 1, 2022. Given the staggering increase, after some public outcry, the City Council adopted a resolution to modify annual rent increase adjustments. As such, the 6.7% increase is no longer valid. Effective August 1, 2022, the new annual allowable CPI rent increase will be 3%. Aware of the potential City Council vote to overturn the earlier massive rent hike of 6.7%, some Oakland landlords are trying to bully and harass their tenants into paying the higher and now illegal increase of 6.7%. Know your rights, reach out to the Rent Board, or call us for more information.
Unlike Oakland, the City of Santa Monica has not yet adjusted its formula to calculate allowable rent increases. In June 2022, following set criteria, the Santa Monica Rent Board approved an allowable rent increase amount of 6%. The current formula (as set in the Rent Control Charter) provides that the annual rent adjustment is calculated at 75% of the regional rate of inflation. In 2021, the allowable rent increase was only 1.7%. Although the City is still under a strict eviction moratorium, pursuant to the extension of the state moratorium, the City may not enact stricter restrictions relating to non-payment until July 1, 2022. For more information about your rights, contact the Santa Monica Rent Board, or call us for help.
