5. Annual Activities

During the course of the Section 8 tenancy owners will manage their rental just like other rentals except that OHA will inspect the unit annually and re-certify the family’s eligibility at least once per year.

Rent Increase After the initial lease term the property owner can request a rent increase from OHA. The rent increase is exempt from the City of Oakland’s Rent Control limits. However, the new rent needs to be comparable to similar places in the neighborhood that have recently been leased.

After the initial lease term the property owner needs to give 60 days written notice of the rent increase to the tenant and send a copy to OHA.

Annual Inspection
OHA will re-inspect the unit before the end of the initial lease term to ensure that it continues to meet Housing Quality Standards (HQS). In order for OHA to continue making payments, HQS must be maintained. More information about owner and tenant repairs can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions section of this guide.

OHA recommends that owners use the inspection as an opportunity to meet with their tenants to review the arrangement and address any maintenance or tenancy matters.

Tenant Re-Certification
The annual inspection will also include a Re-Certification of the tenant's assistance. Adjustments are made for changes in income or family composition. These adjustments are sometimes made at other times during the tenancy (known as an Interim Re-examination) when there have been important changes in the family’s life. If the tenant's income changes the rent portions will change accordingly. Family composition changes can sometimes change the rental arrangement as well. For more information, review the Frequently Asked Questions section of this guide.