Landlords and tenants both contribute to maintaining a rental property in a manner that is livable, healthy and safe. The CSFRA explicitly requires landlords to maintain the habitability and housing services and failure to do so is considered substantially non-compliant with the law.

Property owners who fail to substantially comply with the CSFRA and regulations cannot legally raise rents and/or file a petition for upward adjustment of rent. In addition, substantial noncompliance with certain provisions of the CSFRA may result in administrative action by and financial liability to affected tenants.

Landlord Responsibilities

Properties must be livable, healthy and safe.

Landlords must "provide rental units in a habitable condition" under State and local law (CC 1941.1, MV Muni-Code 25, CSFRA Section 1707(f)) including but not limited to providing:

• Water/hot water, heat, and electrical/gas are in good working order
• Plumbing facilities, including cold and hot water, are in good working order
• Roof, windows, walls and/or doors are water/weather proof
• Building and property are clean and free from vermin and/or bug infestations

Housing services must be maintained.

Under the CSFRA, landlords are also required to maintain housing services as included in rent (CSFRA Section 1707(f), CSFRA Regs. Ch.2).

• Examples of housing services and maintenance may include:
  • Parking spots or utilities that are included in the rent
  • Amenities like pools, laundry facilities and on-site community rooms
  • Landscaping, general maintenance, trash collection

Tenant Responsibilities

Tenants must take reasonable care of rental unit and common areas...and keep (them) in good condition. Tenant(s) are responsible for damage caused by tenant or tenant’s guests, children or pets under State law (CC 1941.2) including but not limited to:

• Keeping premises as clean and sanitary as the condition of the premises permits
• Using and operating gas, electrical and plumbing fixtures properly
• Dispose of garbage in a clean and sanitary manner
• Not destroying, damaging or defacing the premise or allowing anyone else to do so

For more information on habitability, view the State of California's Tenant Resource Guide as well as the resources below.

Addressing Maintenance and Habitability Concerns

1. Request a property inspection through the City's Multi-Family Housing Inspections Program
   
   The Multi-Family Housing Inspections Program ensures proper maintenance of multi-family housing (3 or more dwelling units in a building), including CSFRA covered units. Program inspectors inspect all multi-family properties on a routine basis and also provide non-routine inspections upon request by tenants or property owners/managers.
   
   
2. File a Downward Adjustment in Rent Petition
   
   Tenants of fully-covered CSFRA units can file a petition with the Division to request a rent decrease for a landlord's failure to maintain a livable, healthy and safe premise and/or a reduction in housing services (CSFRA Section 1707(f), CSFRA Regs. Ch. 4, Sec. F). To learn if your property is covered by the CSFRA, go to mvrent.mountainview.gov and enter the property address in the search bar at the top of the page.

Additional Resources

• Habitability and Maintenance Workshop (October 2022)
  • Recording on YouTube
  • PDF
  • Handouts
• Mountain View City Code, Chapter 25
• Multi-Family Housing Violation Checklist
• Reglamentos de Seguridad Contra Incendios Para Barbacoas - Español
• Identifying and Preventing Dry Rot
• Fire Safety Regulations for Barbecues - English

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