Oakland Mun. Code Chapter 8.22 § 8.22.700
Findings and purpose (Oakland Rent Adjustment Program and Just Cause for Eviction Ordinances)
Operative Text
A. This Article shall be known as the "Tenant Move Out Agreement Ordinance." B. The majority of Oakland's residents are renters, many of whom live in rent-controlled units or units covered by Oakland's Just Cause for Eviction Ordinance. C. The City of Oakland is dedicated to pursuing policies that protect its most vulnerable residents and promote housing security for inhabitants of all income levels. D. Oakland's affordable housing crisis has exacerbated bargaining power disparities between property owners and tenants, contributing to a dynamic whereby tenants may enter into move out agreements without full knowledge or understanding of their legal rights. E. The City Council finds that reasonable regulation of aspects of the property owner-tenant relationship is necessary to foster constructive communication, maintain an adequate supply of a variety of rental housing options, and protect the health, safety, and general welfare of the public. F. The main purposes of this Article are to improve the fairness and transparency of move out negotiations and move out agreements, to ensure that tenants who enter into move out negotiations or move out agreements are aware of their rights, to prevent property owners from contracting around the legal rights and remedies available to tenants under existing law, and to equip the city with useful tools for monitoring the impacts of move out agreements on Oakland's residents and housing market.
Oakland Municipal Code Chapter 8.22 § 8.22.700 establishes the Tenant Move Out Agreement Ordinance and sets out the city's rationale for regulating negotiations between landlords and tenants over voluntary departures. The provision recognizes that housing affordability pressures have created unequal bargaining power, leaving tenants vulnerable to entering move-out deals without fully understanding their legal rights. The ordinance's stated goals are to make such negotiations more transparent and fair, ensure tenants know their rights before agreeing to leave, and give the city data to track how these agreements affect Oakland's housing market.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 8.22.700, Oakland has signaled that the broader Tenant Move Out Agreement Ordinance is designed to prevent landlords from structuring departure deals in ways that circumvent tenants' existing legal protections. Operators who manage rent-controlled or just-cause-covered units in Oakland generally familiarize themselves with the full requirements of Chapter 8.22 to ensure their move-out negotiation practices align with the ordinance's transparency and fairness standards. Staying current with Oakland's Rent Adjustment Program guidance is a common step for compliant property managers working in this regulatory environment.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 8.22.700 reflects Oakland's recognition that tenants—particularly those in rent-controlled or just-cause-protected units—may face pressure to sign move-out agreements without fully understanding what rights they are giving up. The ordinance was designed to ensure that the negotiation process is transparent and that tenants retain the legal remedies available to them under existing law. Tenants who have questions about a move-out negotiation can reach out to Oakland's Rent Adjustment Program or a local tenant-rights organization to learn more about the protections Chapter 8.22 provides.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 4, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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