If you believe your property is exempt from the Rent Adjustment Program, you may get a Certificate of Exemption. If you do not have this certificate, you must submit a petition to the RAP to get this certificate. The City will grant a Certificate of Exemption only for units that are permanently exempt from the Rent Adjustment Ordinance.
Owners can petition for exemption based on the following justifications:
- New Construction: This may apply to individual units. The unit was built and a certification of occupancy was issued for it on or after January 1, 1983.
- Single-Family or Condominium (Costa-Hawkins): Applies to Single Family Residences and condominiums only. Owners will need answer the following questions:
- Did the prior tenant leave after being given a notice to quit (Civil Code Section 1946)?
- Did the prior tenant leave after being a notice of rent increase under Civil Code Section 827?
- Was the prior tenant evicted for cause?
- Are there any outstanding violations of building, housing, fire, or safety codes in the unit or building?
- Is the unit a single family dwelling or condominium that can be sold separately?
- Did the petitioning tenant have roommates when he/she moved in?
- If the unit is a condominium, did you purchase it? If so: 1) from whom? 2) Did you purchasethe entire building?
- When did the tenant move into the unit?