Oakland Mun. Code Chapter 8.22 § 8.22.650
General remedies (Oakland Rent Adjustment Program and Just Cause for Eviction Ordinances)
Operative Text
A. Violations of the TPO. Violations of section 8.22.640 may be enforced by civil remedies as set forth in this section or as otherwise specifically set out in this O.M.C article. B. Notice requirement for Tenants. Before a Tenant may file a civil suit alleging a violation of Subsection 8.22.640.A.1., 2., 3., 10., 11., 12., or 13., the affected Tenant must first notify the Owner or his or her designated agent regarding the problem. If the allegation is a violation of Subsections 8.22.640.A.1., 2., 3.,11., or 12., the Tenant must allow fifteen (15) days for the Owner to correct the problem, unless the Owner notifies the Tenant that the repairs will take more than fifteen (15) days and provides for a reasonable time period for completion. If the repair takes more than fifteen (15) days, the Tenant may file the civil suit if the Owner does not take reasonable steps to commence addressing the problem or the Owner does not follow through to complete the repairs with reasonable diligence. However, no fifteen (15) day waiting period shall apply if the Owner's conduct is intentional and demonstrates a willful disregard for the comfort, safety or wellbeing of the Tenant(s). C. In addition to the remedies provided in the TPO, a violator is liable for such costs, expenses, and disbursements paid or incurred by the City in abatement and prosecution of the violation. D. The remedies available in the TPO are not exclusive and may be used cumulatively with any other remedies in this Chapter or at law.
Oakland Municipal Code § 8.22.650 establishes that violations of the Tenant Protection Ordinance's core obligations may be pursued through civil remedies, and that these remedies can be combined with other legal remedies available under the chapter or general law. Before suing over certain habitability and maintenance violations, a tenant must first notify the owner and, in most cases, allow fifteen days for correction—though that waiting period does not apply when the owner's conduct is intentional and shows willful disregard for tenant safety or wellbeing. The city may also recover its own abatement and prosecution costs from a violator under this section.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 8.22.650, property owners who receive a written notice of a TPO violation generally have fifteen days to correct the problem—or a reasonable extended period if repairs genuinely require more time—provided they communicate that timeline to the tenant. Compliant operators typically document their repair efforts and maintain records showing that corrective steps were commenced promptly and completed with reasonable diligence, since failure to do so can expose them to civil liability as well as the city's abatement and prosecution costs.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 8.22.650 gives tenants the right to pursue civil remedies for TPO violations, but for many categories of violations—such as habitability and maintenance issues—you must first notify your owner or their agent and allow fifteen days for a fix before filing suit. That waiting period does not apply if the owner's conduct is intentional and shows willful disregard for your comfort, safety, or wellbeing. Tenants can learn more about available enforcement paths, including how to document notice and what qualifies as reasonable diligence, by contacting Oakland's Rent Adjustment Program or a local tenant-rights organization.
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 5, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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