Tenants can file this petition to request alleviation from a proposed rent increase above the AGA. Petitions can be filed in response to a banked increase notice or an Upward Adjustment of Rent Petition.

General information on the petition process as well as necessary forms and workbooks are provided below. Interested tenants should contact division staff at MVRent@mountainview.gov or 650-903-6136 for help.

The Tenant Hardship Petition Process

In response to a banked rent increase notice:

• Tenants receive a banked rent increase notice from their landlord. 
• Tenants complete and submit a petition form, workbook and documentation to the Rent Stabilization Division no later than ten (10) days after the increase is scheduled to go into effect.
• They also provide (serve) the completed petition form and workbook to their landlord.
  • Landlords are allowed (but not required) to fully participate in the hearing process, respond to the petition, appear and speak at the hearing and appeal a petition decision.
• A hearing officer is assigned to review the petition and a hearing is held.
  • At the hearing, both the landlord and tenants provide information about the issue and answer any questions from the hearing officer.
• The hearing officer then issues a formal written decision with legal findings and details on whether or not the hardship request was approved (in whole or in part), the rent adjustment (if any), the current rent going forward and how and when the landlord can raise the rent (if allowed).
• Both parties (landlords and tenants) can appeal the hearing decision to the Rental Housing Committee.

In response to a landlord petition:

• A landlord completes and submits a petition form, workbook and documentation to the Rent Stabilization Division.
• They also provide (serve) the completed petition form and workbook to their landlord.
  • Tenants can request alleviation, in whole or in part, from a proposed petition-based rent increase by filing a Tenant Hardship Petition with the Rent Stabilization Division. Tenants who file a petition must participate in the hearing process.
• A hearing officer is assigned to review the petitions, including any tenant hardship petition, and a hearing is held.
  • At the hearing, both the landlord and tenants provide information about the issue and answer any questions from the hearing officer.
• The hearing officer then issues a formal written decision with legal findings and details on the rent adjustment and how the Tenant Hardship Petition affected the outcome of the decision.
• Both parties (landlords and tenants) can appeal the hearing decision to the Rental Housing Committee.

Petition Forms and Instructions

• Tenant Hardship Petition Form (Fillable PDF - updated 2024.06.13)
  • Petition Workbook (Excel - updated 2023.04.20)

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