Covered under the Tenant Protection Ordinance

Getting money to move out
Talk to a lawyer or housing organization. Move Out Agreements (Cash for Keys) are complicated and often have lots of legal jargon. Don’t sign anything without talking to a lawyer.

In Oakland, even if you sign a move out agreement (Cash for keys), you have time to rescind your acceptance. Usually you have up to 25 days after signing the document. In addition, landlords also have to serve you a notice with your rights before asking you to sign an agreement as well as with your Move Out Agreement. There are many requirements because often, tenants sign agreements without talking to a legal organization and leave their rent controlled units for much less than what is fair.

Not wanting to move out
In addition to the Oakland Tenant Move Out Agreement Ordinance, you are also covered under The Tenant Protection Ordinance. Under this ordinance you can sue your landlord for not respecting your rights to not accept an agreement (cash for keys) and continuing to ask you to take an offer within 6 months of denying such offer.

We recommend writing a letter, citing the Tenant Protection Ordinance, and then pursuing legal action after exercising your rights under Oakland’s Tenant Move Out Agreement Ordinance.