NOT Covered under the Tenant Protection Ordinance
Talk to a lawyer or housing organization
Move Out Agreements (Cash for Keys) are complicated and often have lots of legal jargon. In Oakland, most units are covered by a Move Out Agreement Ordinance which means you have rights and protections that can help you navigate this situation. Don’t sign anything without talking to a lawyer. In Oakland, even if you sign a cash offer or (Cash for keys), you have 25 days to rescind your acceptance. 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.
All these requirements are in place because tenants will often sign agreements without talking to a legal organization and will leave their rent controlled units for much less than what is fair. If you do decide you’d like to leave, talking to lawyer will ensure that you get all that you’re entitled to. A reminder that because you have rights, you have options. Getting Cash for Keys agreements can be really intimidating or stressful, but you don’t have to figure them out on you own.