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Concessions are move-in specials, such as discounts or free months’ rent, that are provided by landlords to attract tenants and ease the costs of moving.

Concessions of the first month’s free or discounted rent do not affect Base Rent; but concessions beyond the first month are included in the calculation of Base Rent and may cause it to be reduced. Base Rent levels are used to calculate allowed rent increases.

If a concession is unlawfully applied, tenants may petition the City for a rent reduction using the petition process and may be awarded back rent if overpayment occurred.

Questions about rent? Contact us.

650-903-6136

Mvrent@mountainview.gov

Rent increases for units with both rent stabilization and eviction protections are limited to the Annual General Adjustment (AGA), an increase based on the rate of inflation and approved by the Rental Housing Committee (RHC). Landlords may give this annual rent increase from September 1 through August 31 of each year

If no increase is given, landlords may bank the increase and give it in a later year, together with the AGA for that year, for a total increase of up to 10%. Banked increases have additional noticing requirements. Qualifying tenants can file a Tenant Hardship Petition to request an exemption from banked increases.

• 2022 AGA: 5% (Sept. 1, 2022 – August 31, 2023)

A landlord may increase rent when in compliance with the law:

• at least 12 months have passed since the last rent increase

• the landlord paid the annual Rental Housing Fees

• the property is registered with the City at mvrent.mountainview.gov

• the owner is otherwise in compliance the CSFRA (including not have outstanding code violations on the property)

• the tenant was served a written 30-day notice as required by state law

The RHC adopted compliance and enforcement regulations to address landlords who are determined to be substantially non-compliant with the CSFRA. If a landlord is out of compliance, they cannot raise rents and/or file a petition for upward adjustment of rent, including Capital Improvement Petitions

Beginning December 1, 2022, compliance and enforcement mechanisms include:

• Mailing non-compliance letters with a copy sent to affected tenants

• Posting non-compliant properties to City website at mvrent.mountainview.gov

• Late fees of 4% per month for not paying annual rental housing fees

• Late fees of $25 per unit per month for not completing the annual registration

The CSFRA limits the reasons for eviction to 9 “just causes.” Not having or signing a lease renewal is not one of the 9 reasons. This means that tenants do not have to sign a new lease at the end of a lease. If tenants don’t a sign a new lease, the lease terms from the prior lease remain in effect. The tenancy becomes month to month for the tenant.

The tenant can terminate the tenancy with a 30-day written notice, but the landlord can only terminate for one of the 9 “just causes” and with proper written notice. The landlord may apply the effective AGA if it has been 12 or more months since the move-in date or since the last rent increase.

The City of Mountain View Rent Stabilization Program provides online registration and noticing for all CSFRA covered units Landlords must update unit registration within 30 days in the case of a new tenancy, termination of a tenancy, or a change in ownership or management contact information.

The portal allows Landlords to:

• Register Rental Properties

Register at mvrent. mountainview. gov

Due soon!

2022/23 Rental Housing Fee

$96 per unit Invoices mailed Jan. 2, 2023 and payment due Feb. 1, 2023.

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• Manage Multiple Properties

• Apply for a Rental

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All CSFRA covered units are required to be registered with the City through the online portal at mvrent.mountainview.gov. Registration is due February 1 of each year. Unregistered properties are out of compliance with the CSFRA and unable to lawfully increase rent until registration is complete. To register your property online, use the APN and PIN provided in the description section of your Rental Housing Fee invoice (to be mailed early January 2022)

View the online user guide: mountainview.gov/registrationguide

Certain capital improvements now qualify for an expedited petition process to help landlords proactively maintain their properties. Landlords can now file Specified Captial Improvement Petitions with the City to receive a temporary rent increase above the AGA to cover a portion of the associated costs.

Call 650-903-6136, email mvrent@mountainview.gov or vist mountainview.gov/rsp/petitions to learn more

The Housing and Eviction Help Center connects landlords and tenants in Mountain View with support services and housing resources. Come to clinics for 1:1 in-person assistance with housing programs, eviction questions, and support services.

1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month! 1-5 p.m.

• Mountain View Public Library

• 585 Franklin St., 2nd floor, Program Room

• No appointment needed

Attend virtually during clinic hours at mountainview.gov/ housinghelpclinics. Email mvrent@mountainview.gov to request support in other languages 48 hours in advance.

Providing Free Dispute Resolution Services to the People of Mountain View for Over 40 Years Mediation helps people come together to talk about and potentially solve their disputes in a controlled environment. As possible solutions arise, trained mediators help guide participants toward a resolution of their own making. The process is designed to be a way to easily resolve disputes.

Successfully resolved cases include:

• Landlord/tenant issues

• Security deposit issues

• Noise complaints

• Roommate conflicts

• Neighbor issues

• HOA disputes

It’s fast, confidential, free and effective!

• Co-worker conflicts

• Contract disputes

• Local merchant disputes

Contact the Program today at mediate4mv@housing.org or by calling (650) 960-0495.

Rent Stabilization Program

City of Mountain View

Post Office Box 7540

Mountain View, CA 94039-7540

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

Live in Mountain View?

Interested in shaping the future of the city you call home?

We need residents like you to serve on the Rental Housing Committee!

Applications open in January for appointments starting in May. Check out mountainview.gov/rsp in early to mid-winter to apply!

Reasonable Accommodations and ADA Compliance (Open to All)

November 17, 2022

Interactive Workshops - Property Owner Registration and Annual Fees

(Landlord Focused)

Dec. 15, 2022: Hybrid at Library – 4 p.m.

Jan. 2023

Virtual: 10 and 24 (10 a.m.)

Hybrid at Library: 12 (10 a.m.) and 26 (3 p.m.)

Feb. 2023

Virtual: 7 and 21 (10 a.m.)

Hybrid at Library: 9 (10 a.m.) and 23 (3 p.m.)

Mar. 2023

Virtual: 7 and 21 (10 a.m.)

Hybrid at Library: 9 (3 p.m.)

Hard Conversations: Mediation for Landlords and Tenants (Open to All)

March 16, 2023

Location: Mountain View Public Library

585 Franklin St., 2nd Floor, Program Room

Time: 4 p.m. (unless otherwise noted)

Virtual/hybrid: mountainview.gov/rspwebinars

• Allowed Rent Increases: 2022 Annual General Adjustment (AGA) and Banked Increases - On May 23, 2022 the Rental Housing Committee adopted the following allowable rent increase:

• 2022 AGA for tenants in rent stabilized properties: 5%

• Landlords can “bank" unused AGA increases and apply them later for a total increase of up to 10%. Qualifying tenants who receive a banked increase can petition the City for relief through the Tenant Hardship Petition Process

• Concessions - At its June 20, 2022 and July 18, 2022 meetings, the RHC adopted regulations clarifying the proper calculation of Base Rent when concessions are provided. There are exceptions to Base Rent calculations when certain types of concessions are provided during the initial term of the tenancy.

• Landlords are now required to provide the CSFRA Rent Stabilization and Eviction Protections Information Sheet at the start of tenancy and when giving rent increases. The form is available at mountainview.gov/rsp/forms.

• Landlords must notify tenants of the type of concession they are providing and to clearly state Base Rent at the time of tenancy and when giving rent increases using the required Information Sheet

• Compliance and Enforcement - During its Sept. 19, 2022 meeting, the RHC adopted compliance and enforcement regulations for properties that are determined to be substantially non-compliant with the CSFRA. Noncompliance with “substantial” requirements means a landlord cannot raise rents and/or file a petition for upward adjustment of rent.

See inside for details!