Rent and Allowed Rent Increases

Rent

Rent is specifically defined by the law.

"All periodic payments and all nonmonetary consideration including, but not limited to, the fair market value of goods, labor performed or services rendered to or for the benefit of the Landlord under a Rental Housing Agreement concerning the use or occupancy of a Rental Unit and premises and attendant Housing Services, including all payment and consideration demanded or paid for parking, Utility Charges, pets, furniture, and/or subletting." (CSFRA 1702(p))

Allowed Rent Increases

Rent increases are limited.

Each year, the RHC sets the Annual General Adjustment (AGA) for existing tenancies of CSFRA covered rental units. The AGA is the annually allowed rent increase rate that may be implemented by property owners from September 1 through August 31. If no increase is given during that time period, property owners may bank the increase and apply it during a subsequent year in conjunction with the new AGA. Banked increases are subject to additional noticing requirements as well as Tenant Hardship Petitions. See below to learn more about banked AGAs.

The RHC approved the following rent adjustments:

• Sept. 1, 2022 - Aug. 31, 2023 (2022 AGA): 5.0%
• Sept. 1, 2021 - Aug. 31, 2022 (2021 AGA): 2.0%
• Sept. 1, 2020 - Aug. 31, 2021 (2020 AGA): 2.9%
• Sept. 1, 2019 - Aug. 31, 2020 (2019 AGA): 3.5%
• Sept. 1, 2018 - Aug. 31, 2019 (2018 AGA): 3.6%
• Sept. 1, 2017 - Aug. 31, 2018 (2017 AGA): 3.4%

• at least 12 months have passed since the last rent increase
• the annual Rental Housing Fees are paid
• the property is registered with the City
• the owner is otherwise in compliance with the provisions of the CSFRA (including not have outstanding code violations on the property)
• the tenant was served a written 30 day notice as required by state law.

Required Information Sheet for New Leases and Rent Increases

Landlords are required to distribute a CSFRA Information Sheet to tenants that describes the CSFRA and provides information for the Rent Stabilization Program at the start of a new tenancy and with each notice of rent increase. The Information Sheet can be downloaded here.

BANKED INCREASES AND NOTICING

Prior to a rent increase, a landlord must provide at least thirty days’ advanced written notice in the manner prescribed by law. If a landlord does not use any of the allowed rent increases in part or in whole, the remaining amount may be “banked” for future use. If a landlord decides to impose any of the previously banked rent increases and as a consequence the total rent increase exceeds the Annual General Adjustment (AGA) for 2020, the landlord must include in its written notice to tenant, mandatory language as stipulated in Chapter 7 of the Regulations. Also a copy of each Rent Increase Notice containing a previously Banked rent increase, must be filed with the City at mvrent.mountainview.gov  

TENANT UNDUE HARDSHIP

If any previously Banked Rent Increase is being charged, a tenant may file an Undue Hardship Petition under any of the following conditions:

• The total household income is below 100% AMI or the proposed rent increase would increase tenant's rent burden beyond 50% of household income
• The total household income is below 120% AMI or the proposed rent increase would increase tenant's rent burden beyond 50% of household income and the household is the 
  • Primary residence of a person under the age of 18 
  • Primary residence of a person who is 62 years or older
  • Primary residence of a person who is disabled
  • Primary residence of a person who is terminally ill

• Other extenuating circumstances, if none of the other circumstances above apply

For more information about petitions or the hardship process, contact the Rent Stabilization Program at (650) 903-6149 or MVRent@mountainview.gov.