Letter to politicians from my recent experiences as an Oakland Tenant

I'm sure many of you have received my emails and phone calls, and assume I'm just another nut looking for attention, but I am not.

I have lived in Oakland for over 10 years. I have lived in my current apartment for almost 6 years. My building is in poor condition, but I stay here because I love my neighbors and my neighborhood.

At the end of August my building was purchased by (in my opinion) opportunistic investors looking to make quick cash on the bay area's spiking rents.

This building was purchased by an LLC that was formed 30 days prior to the purchase. As of September 1st, we are managed by a property management company whose website has no indication of property management or tenant resources, just investment opportunities.

"Value Added and Opportunistic
We focus on properties that require renovation or repositioning in order to achieve operational cash flow and capital appreciation."

We were notified of the sale on 8/31/2014. Work began on a lower unit on 09/05/2014. No notice was given, no permits pulled. Workers showed up and started demolition.

I emailed the property manager on 09/06, and politely asked for some notice and how long this would be going on. She didn't respond until I sent a second email on 09/11 (after days of non stop demolition)

On 09/11 I leaned that there was no permit, when calling the city about the stairs and balcony. I found it offensive that this company's priority appeared to be remodeling the vacant unit (which could have been rented months ago) instead of making long overdue repairs to an unsafe stairway and rotting balcony. An inspector came out to look at the work being done without a permit, but refused to inspect the stairs or balcony.

I was never given a resource for inspection (who is in charge of this?), and each time I tried to follow up, I was told that it was "under investigation", and would be dealt with after the permit was pulled

So now I live in an unregulated, unsafe construction zone.

Last week, I received a 20 PAGE LEASE.

Each day I come home to more demolitions or "repairs" without permits. Each time I call and report this, nothing happens. I've been told that the city can't "babysit" these projects. Or that it's being investigated (apparently from a distance, as the work continues unabated)

I have spent the last month researching and trying to fight this. Even with the luxury of time and resources, I have found this to be the most infuriating battle, and feel as though I am dealing with a corrupt governing body. I have no idea how other tenants with limited time and resources fight. I assume thus quickly give up. I will assure you that the City of Oakland has made this impossible for those who cannot miss work in order to go downtown and pull permits or file complaints. Sitting through a three hour meeting In order to prove that your landlord has acted illegally is yet another unreasonable burden to place on a tenant


I simply cannot believe that any city would allow its tenants to be abused like this. I have called every resource available, with tons of evidence and documentation, and I have been both ignored and insulted.

In my opinion, the City of Oakland Building Inspection / Code Enforcement is a joke. As is the concept of tenant's rights. If you're lucky and you live in rent controlled housing, you are afforded some rights, but the burden is placed on the tenant to do the leg work and prove that the landlord is in violation of these rights, and nobody seems to care.

I have yet to find someone to tell me who is in charge of inspecting unsafe buildings (but neighbors tell me stories of $1500 fines for trash cans on the sidewalk). A police officer confirmed that my only point of entry (stairs) are not up to code (a step cracked in half under his foot) but according to the City of Oakland, these are still under investigation

Why do you hate your tenants and long term residents so much?

Why do you make us jump through so many hoops and ignore our cries for help?

I have sent numerous emails documenting this situation (with photos) and have been ignored. I feel like I'm screaming into a well.
I have spent hours in downtown Oakland, chasing down the paperwork I will need to move forward.

How do you honestly expect tenants to navigate this system?

I have read articles from politicians stating that there have been far fewer cases heard by the rent adjustment board. Do you seriously think tenants with limited resources have the time or money to do this? Why isn't this simply protected?

In order to check on permits, I must either come down in person (during a workday) or keep calling on the phone. Other cities provide this information on the internet.
Once I filed a complaint, I have no idea on how to check the status.
When my balcony was being torn down without a permit, all I could do is watch. Apparently enforcement is not a priority.

My building is being "repaired" by a company that has no regard for tenants.

This is so scary, and none of you appear to be willing to do anything about it.

How hard do I have to fight? How do your tenants with no resources fight? Why do you seem to have no regard for us?

Why should we vote for any of you?

This is an AWFUL way to treat people.

STAND UP FOR OAKLAND'S TENANTS
Many of us have endured substandard housing for years, only to have the speculators arrive, do quick fixes, and double the rents.

We may have less money than these investors, but we have far more votes