Rent Stabilization

Notice: The Rental Housing Committee meeting scheduled for April 9, 2018 has been canceled. The next Rental Housing Committee meeting will be held on April 23, 2018.

Tenants Landlords Forms

Community Stabilization and Fair Rent Act (Measure V)

On November 8, 2016, the residents of the City of Mountain View voted to adopt Measure V, also known as the Community Stabilization and Fair Rent Act (“CSFRA”), to stabilize rents and provide just cause eviction protections for certain Rental Units in Mountain View. On September 11, 2017, the Rental Housing Committee has adopted a resolution, establishing December 23, 2016 as the effective date of the Community Stabilization and Fair Rent Act.

The full text of the CSFRA can be downloaded here: Community Stabilization and Fair Rent Act

Landlord Registration

To facilitate proper implementation of the Community Stabilization and Fair Rent Act the Rental Housing Committee request that owners/managers of residential multi-family rental units located within the City of Mountain View complete this registration form online. Use one registration form for EACH separate Assessor's Parcel Number.

Rental Housing Committee Meetings

Agendas will be posted at least 72 hours in advance.

RHC meetings will be held on the following Mondays, 7:00 p.m. at City Hall.

Upcoming Meetings

| April 23, 2018 | May 21, 2018 |

LANDLORD AND TENANT WORKSHOPS

Workshops are held every first and third Friday of the month from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Plaza Conference Room at City Hall, enabling both tenants and landlords to discuss specific questions regarding the petition process. You can also make an individual appointment with City staff to discuss your specific concerns by contacting Patricia.Black@mountainview.gov.

Upcoming Workshops

| April 6, 2018 | April 20, 2018 |

Key Provisions of the CSFRA

Rent levels and rent increases for Covered Rental Units, built before February 1, 1995, must comply with all provisions of the CSFRA.
Covered Rental Units must roll back rents to the Base Rent (the rent in effect on October 19, 2015) as per December 23, 2016. For tenancies starting after October 19, 2015, the Base Rent is the rent initially paid by the tenant upon start of tenancy.
Landlords may apply one Annual General Adjustment ("AGA") rent increase, from September 1 of each year onward, with at least 30 days’ advance written notice. In its meeting on May 22, 2017 the Rental Housing Committee set the allowable AGA for 2017 at 3.4%, effective September 1, 2017.
Initial rent for new tenancies can be set at market rate. After the new tenancy begins, rents can only be increased in accordance with the CSFRA.
Just Cause Eviction provisions in the CSFRA are applicable for all Covered Rental Units built before December 23, 2016. Tenancies can only be terminated for any nine of the just cause conditions mentioned in the CSFRA. Landlords are required to file copies of termination notices to the Rental Housing Committee. COPIES OF TERMINATION NOTICES MUST BE SUBMITTED ONLINE.

If you like to check if your multi-family apartment complex is built before 1995, please click here.

Rent Stabilization FAQ
- What is the Community Stabilization and Fair Rent Act?
  On November 8, 2016, the residents of the City of Mountain View voted to adopt Measure V, also known as the Community Stabilization and Fair Rent Act (“CSFRA”), in order to stabilize rents by regulating rent increases for those rental units covered by the CSFRA and to require a landlord to have just cause in order to terminate a tenancy. CSFRA is effective as of December 23, 2016.
  Download a PDF of the Community Stabilization and Fair Rent Act.
- What types of rental properties are covered?
  The CSFRA applies to the following rental units:
- What are the key provisions of the CSFRA?
  - The CSFRA establishes a base rent which is the rental rate charged on October 19, 2015. For those tenancies that commenced after October 19, 2015, the base rent shall be the initial rent in effect at the start of the tenancy.
  - The CSFRA also limits the annual number and amount of rent increases. Rent may only be increased once each year. A rent adjustment may occur in one of two ways:
    
    An annual general rent adjustment of rent (“AGA”) will be set each year (annual general adjustment) by the Rental Housing Committee equal to 100% of the CPI (for All Urban Consumers, SF-Oakland-San Jose Region (“CPI”).(which one?).
    
    Rent increases pursuant to the annual general adjustment shall be no less than 2% or more than 5%.
    
    Landlords and Tenants may file a petition with the Rental Housing Committee for individual upward and downward rent adjustments.
  - The CSFRA also limits the reasons for which a landlord can issue termination notices (“Just Cause” evictions), including: failure to pay rent, breach of lease, nuisance, criminal activity or failure to give access. Necessary repairs, owner move-in, withdrawal of the property from the rental market and demolition are also just causes for eviction and in these instances a landlord may be required to provide tenant relocation assistance, or where applicable offer first right of return to a terminated tenant.
  - A Rental Housing Committee shall be established, consisting of 5 Committee members and 1 alternate member, comprised of Mmountain View residents, appointed by the City Council.
- What is Base Rent and the rent roll back?
  Upon the effective date of the CSFRA no landlord shall charge rent in an amount that exceeds the sum of the Base Rent plus any lawful rent increases actually implemented pursuant to the CSFRA.
  
  On September 11, 2017 the Rental Housing Committee decided to establish December 23, 2016 as the effective date of the CSFRA.
  
  Base Rent needs to be set at the following levels:
  - If tenancy began on or before October 19, 2015, rent would need to roll back to the rent in effect on October 19, 2015
  - If tenancy started after October 19, 2015, rent would need to roll back to the initial rent charged at the start of the tenancy.
  Tenants in a covered Rental Unit who do not receive information about roll-backs should communicate with their landlord/property manager. For any questions about or help with the rent rollback provisions, please contact the Mountain View Rental Housing Helpline at (650) 282-2514 or CSFRA@housing.orgor consult an attorney for legal advice.
- What is a lawful rent increase?
  An annual rent increase can only be imposed according to the Annual General Adjustment (“AGA”) as set by the Rental Housing Committee. On May 22, 2017 the Rental Housing Committee set the AGA for 2017 at 3.4%. According to CSFRA the first annual general rent increase can take effect starting September 1^st of each year. Rent increases shall become effective only after the landlord provides at least a 30 days advance written Notice of Rent Increase pursuant to state law.
  A rent increase can also be requested by a landlord, based on an individual petition for upward adjustment of rent, to be submitted to the Rental Housing Committee.
- How often can rents be raised?
  No more than one Rent increase per twelve-month period may be imposed on a tenant.
- Are utilities, pet fees, etc. included in the Base Rent and the calculation of allowable CPI rent increase?
  The CSFRA defines “Rent” to encompass all periodic payments made, including any separate fees for “Housing Services” like pet fees, parking, utility charges, etc. Per the CSFRA, even if you do not pay for any Housing Service separately, those Housing Services are still considered covered by the Rent you pay.
  Any new charge that a Landlord imposes to a tenant that was not charged in October 2015 or when you moved in (if you moved in after October 19, 2015) would be considered an increase in rent and cannot not exceed the annual allowable increase of your Base Rent for the given year (for 2017 the allowable annual increase is 3.4%). The Base Rent is the rent in effect for your rental unit on October 19, 2015 (or if you moved in after October 19, 2017 the initial rental rate charged upon initial occupancy).
  If a Landlord has always charged separately for a Housing Service, such as utilities, that monthly charge is also subject to the Base Year and the annual allowed rent increase restrictions. For example, if on October 19, 2015 a tenant was charged $50 for their monthly utilities, an allowed rent increase (allowed from September 1, 2017 onwards) should not exceed 3.4%, amounting to $51.70 [$50 + ($50 x 3.4%)].
- What is a “just cause” termination?
  A landlord is only permitted to issue a termination notice for the following reasons (causes):
- What type of notices do landlords need to provide to tenants under CSFRA?
  Landlords need to provide the following type of notices to tenants:
- How do I know if a termination notice complies with CSFRA?
  If you would like to know whether a termination notice complies with the Urgency Ordinance and the CSFRA, please contact the Mountain View Rental Housing Helpline at (650) 282-2514 or CSFRA@housing.org. Weekly walk-in office hours at City Hall, 500 Castro Street, 1^st floor, Public Works Front Conference Room, Thursdays 12pm-2pm or consult an attorney for legal advice.
- What are the eligibility criteria for relocation assistance?
  A landlord seeking to recover possession of a rental unit through certain “just cause” termination reasons as stated in CSFRA (necessary repairs, owner move-in, withdrawal of the property from the rental market or demolition), may be required to provide relocation assistance for eligible tenants (household income not exceeding 120% of median household income). A landlord shall notify tenants of their rights to request relocation assistance at the time of service of the termination notice. Please contact the Mountain View Rental Housing Helpline at (650) 282-2514 or CSFRA@housing.org or consult an attorney for legal advice.
- How is a petition for upward or downward adjustment of rent submitted?
  Landlords will be able to file a petition for individual upward rent adjustment to ensure a fair and reasonable rate of return. Tenants will be able to file a petition for individual downward rent adjustment 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. The Rental Housing Committee will be tasked with the implementation and administration of CSFRA. Status updates will become available on a regular basis on our website. In the meantime landlords and tenants can contact the Mountain View Rental Housing Helpline, offering confidential bilingual counseling and information services. Telephone number: (650) 282-2514; email: CSFRA@housing.org. Services are also provided during weekly walk-in office hours at City Hall, 500 Castro Street, 1^st floor, Public Works Front Conference Room, Thursdays 12pm-2pm.
- Is there a fee being charged to administer CSFRA?
  The Rental Housing Committee is required to finance the reasonable and necessary expenses of implementing CSFRA by charging a Rental Housing Fee. Landlords are required to pay an annual Rental Housing Fee on rental units covered by CSFRA.
- How can I learn more about CSFRA?
  Phone: 650-282-2514
  Email: CSFRA@housing.org
  E-Newletter: www.mountainview.gov/mymv
  then click on Rental Housing Committee
  
  Walk-in Office Hours: Thursdays 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
  City Hall, 500 Castro street, 1^st Floor
  Public Works Front Conference Room.

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