Tenants can file a petition to dispute a rent increase or to recuperate excess rent payments. Reasons to file this petition may include:

• Increases given above the Annual General Adjustment (AGA)
• Banked rent increases given above the AGA or given when not allowed or available
• Proposed rent increase is unlawful
• More than one rent increases was given within a 12-month period
• Property is or was out of compliance with the CSFRA when the increase was given

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

The Unlawful Rent Increase Petition Process

• Tenants complete and submit a petition form, workbook and documentation to the Rent Stabilization Division.
• 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 the rent adjustment including by how much overpaid rent is owed back to the tenant (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.

Petition Forms and Instructions

• Unlawful Rent Petition Form (Fillable PDF - updated 2024.09.11)
  • Unlawful Rent Petition Workbook (Excel - updated 2023.12.20)
  • Unlawful Rent Petition Workbook - Concessions (Excel - updated 2023.04.20)

Additional Information

• CSFRA Tenant Petition Instructions and Checklist (PDF - updated 2024.09.17)
• CSFRA Tenant Petition Timeline 

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