Explore

Tenants

QUESTIONS?

Please contact the Rent Stabilization Program at (650) 903-6136 or email MVRent@mountainview.gov.   

Update: Required Information Sheet for New Leases and Rent Increases

The Rental Housing Committee has adopted new noticing requirements for covered rental units. At the start of a new tenancy and with each notice of increase of rent, landlords are required to distribute a CSFRA Information Sheet to tenants that describes the CSFRA and provides information for the Mountain View Rental Housing Helpline. The Information Sheet can be downloaded here.

RECEIVE REGULAR UPDATES BY EMAIL

RENT ROLL BACK

The Base Rent for tenancies that started on or before October 19, 2015 is the Rent in effect on October 19, 2015. For tenancies that started after October 19, 2015, the Base Rent is the initial rental rate charged upon initial occupancy. This Base Rent is effective from December 23, 2016 onward. 

JUST CAUSE FOR EVICTION PROTECTIONS

All Rental Units covered under CSFRA, both the fully covered Rental Units with an initial certification of occupancy date before February 1, 1995 and partially Covered Units with an initial certification of occupancy between February 1, 1995 and December 23, 2016 and to the extent permitted by law, rental units governed by Mountain View City Code Chapter 36, Article XIV (“Affordable Housing Program”) are subject to the Just Cause for Eviction Protections.

Under the CSFRA, termination notices are ONLY permitted for one of the following reasons:

  1. Failure to Pay Rent
  2. Breach of Lease
  3. Nuisance
  4. Criminal Activity
  5. Failure to Give Access
  6. Necessary and Substantial Repairs Requiring Temporary Vacancy
  7. Owner Move-in
  8. Withdrawal of the Rental Unit Permanently from Rental Market
  9. Demolition

Written Notice to Cease
For Breach of Lease, Nuisance, Criminal Activity and Failure to Give Access, the Landlord is required to first serve the Tenant with a Written Notice to Cease to provide the Tenant an opportunity to cure an alleged violation or problem prior to service of a notice to terminate tenancy.

Tenant Relocation Assistance – First Right of Return
For terminations based on Necessary and Substantial Repairs Requiring Temporary Vacancy, Owner Move-in, Withdrawal of the Rental Unit Permanently from Rental Market and Demolition, a Landlord is required to notify the Tenant of their right to Relocation Assistance and may be required to pay relocation assistance. The Tenant shall have a first right of return to the Rental Unit, if the Rental Unit is returned to the market by the Landlord or successor Landlord. 

Petitions for Individual Downward Adjustment of Rent 

Tenants can file a petition for individual downward adjustment of rent for three reasons: failure to maintain a rental unit in compliance with health and safety or building codes; reduced service or maintenance; or for payment of rent in excess of lawful rent. Petition forms and instructions can be downloaded here. File the entire petition packet, including the completed Petition Form(s), and all required attachments at:

City of Mountain View, Rental Housing Committee
500 Castro Street
Mountain View, CA 94041

Terms to Know

CSFRA 
Community Stabilization and Fair Rent Act 

  1. Establishes a Rental Housing Committee
  2. Establishes a Base Rent for covered Rental Units 
  3. Determines Allowable Rent Increases for covered Rental Units 
  4. Establishes a Petition Process for individual rent adjustments 
  5. Provides Just Cause for Eviction 
  6. Requires landlords to file Notices of Termination with the Rental Housing Committee

Base Rent
The reference point for which lawful rent is determined and adjusted under the CSFRA. For Tenancies that commenced on or before October 19, 2015, the base rent is the rent in effect on October 19, 2015. For tenancies that commenced after October 19, 2015, it is the rent initially paid by the tenant.

Rent
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 payments and consideration demanded or paid for parking, Utility Charges, pets, furniture, and/or subletting.

Annual General Adjustment (AGA) Consumer Price Index (CPI) 

Click here for the latest information regarding Annual General Adjustments of Rent ("AGA").

Feedback