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Oakland bans landlords from conducting criminal background checks on potential renters

By KTVU Staff
Updated  January 23, 2020 12:33pm PST
Housing
KTVU FOX 2

Oakland bans criminal background checks for rental housing

Oakland City Council unanimously gave preliminary approval of the Fair Chance Housing Ordinance.

OAKLAND, Calif. (KTVU) - Landlords in Oakland are now banned from asking potential tenants about their criminal history after a unanimous vote by city council. 

City leaders agreed to advance the "Fair Chance Housing Ordinance" which prohibits landlords from rejecting a prospective tenant from an apartment because of a criminal conviction.

The ordinance does not apply to in-law units, single-family homes, duplexes, and triplexes. 

Berkeley City Council is also expected to vote on a similar measure next month.