No, I don’t live in one of these

Excellent. You are covered under Oakland “Rent Control” laws.

Being covered under the Rent Adjustment Ordinance or Oakland “Rent Control” means:
Your landlord cannot raise your rent more than once a year.
The landlord has to file rules and regulations to raise your rent.
The landlord cannot raise your rent more than 10% unless the anual Consumer Price Index (the amount the landlord can raise determined by the city) is more than 10% or to get a fair return right. (Fair return has to be approved by the city)

Your landlord must have to file a petition with the Rent Adjustment Program to raise your rent for reason other than an annual CPI-based rent increase and/or banking. Your landlord has to give you a “RAP Notice” with your lease or 6 months prior to raising your rent that explains your rights under the rent increase ordinance. Now that we know you’re covered let’s find out what your rights are!