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• CSFRA and Relocation Basics
• State Housing Law Roundup
• Summer Community Kick-off
• Utility Billing
• Housing Help Center for Tenants
• Mediation for Landlords and Tenants
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• Upcoming Workshops
• Major Division Updates
Rent Stabilization Division
Contact Us
Virtual Office Hours
Every Tuesday
10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Register at mountainview.gov/rspofficehours
650-903-6136
298 Escuela Ave.
Mountain View, CA 94040
mvrent@mountainview.gov
mountainview.gov/rentstabilization
We’re Here to Help!
This newsletter is in your mailbox because you live in a rental property covered by the Community Stabilization and Fair Rent Act (CSFRA).
The CSFRA provides rent stabilization for most apartment buildings in Mountain View with 3 or more units built before February 1, 1995 and provides eviction protections for most 3 or more unit buildings built before December 23, 2016
Check mountainview.gov/rentstabilization or call 650-903-6136 to get updated information on your coverage.
Rent Stabilization
❑ All rent increases during a tenancy are limited by law
❑ Rent increases are limited to a certain percent every year
❑ Only one increase can be given every 12 months
❑ Increases can only be given if the landlord is in compliance with the law
❑ Both tenants and landlords can request individual rent increase or decrease adjustments from the City through a petition process
❑ Tenants cannot be asked to move out without a lawful reason
❑ Landlords must notify tenants of the reason in a written letter
❑ A tenant can only be evicted for 9 lawful reasons (“just causes”)
• Failure to Pay Rent
• Breach of Lease
• Nuisance
• Criminal Activity
• Failure to Give Access
• Necessary Repairs
• Owner Move-in
• Demolition
• Withdrawal from Market
❑ Landlords may have to offer tenant relocation assistance if they evict tenants for the following reasons:
• Necessary Repairs
• Owner Move-in
• Demolition
• Withdrawal from Market
❑ If tenants qualify, they receive money and other support when terminated
There are new State laws for landlords and tenants. Please see the summary below and consult an attorney for legal advice.
Beginning April 1, 2025, a landlord must take photographs of the rental unit within a reasonable time after a tenant moves out, but before starting any repairs or cleanings that could be taken out of the tenant's security deposit. Follow-up photos must also be taken within a reasonable time after completing repairs or cleanings. If a deduction is made from the security deposit for the repairs or cleanings, the landlord must send a copy of the photos, and a written explanation of the cost of the repairs or cleanings to the tenant at the same time that they provide the itemized statement for the security deposit (i.e., within 21 days after the tenant vacates the unit).
If tenants receive a court notice to vacate the rental unit and/or pay back rent (Unlawful Detainer), AB 2347 extends the time for tenants to file an answer to an unlawful detainer from five (5) to ten (10) days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and judicial holidays, after the complaint is served on the tenant.
AB 2747 requires most landlords to offer tenants the option of having positive rental payment information reported to at least one nationwide consumer reporting agency. Positive rental payment information refers to a tenant's complete, timely payments of rent, and does not include late or incomplete payments
If a tenant opts-in, then the landlord may charge the tenant the actual cost of the service or ten dollars ($10) per month, whichever is lesser. A tenant cannot be evicted for failure to pay the charge for this service, but a landlord may stop providing the service if the charge remains unpaid for more than 30 days. This charge is not considered “Rent” for the purposes of the CSFRA, so a landlord may begin charging a tenant anytime the tenant opts into this service without violating the CSFRA or filing a joint petition. Nonetheless, landlords are encouraged to list the amount of this charge in the Rental Housing Agreement at the commencement of the tenancy so that tenants are aware of the cost should they decide to opt into this service.
For leases entered on or after April 1, 2025, the landlord must make the offer at the time that the lease agreement is entered and at least once a year after that. For leases in existence as of January 1, 2025, the landlord must make the offer no later than April 1, 2025, and at least once a year after that. This law does not apply to landlords with 15 or less units, unless there is corporate ownership, and the landlord owns more than one residential building.
You may have heard that there are updates to how utilities can be charged for fully covered CSFRA units. This will mostly impact tenants that are currently paying utilities separately from rent, usually to a third-party company such as Conservice. This method of utility billing is often called a Ratio Utility Billing System (RUBS). The use of RUBS is no longer allowed and will end by a landlord filing the City a One-Time Utility Adjustment Petition. You will get notification after your landlord has filed such a petition. As a result of this petition process, total rent should include utilities as a fixed monthly amount. The rent increase limitations of the CSFRA will apply to the total rent, including utilities.
If you moved in before March 1, 2024
• Your landlord will file a One-Time Utility Adjustment Petition and give you a copy. If you disagree with a claim made by your landlord, you can file a response with the Rent Stabilization Division.
• If the petition results in your unit having a change in how you pay for any of your utilities, you should get a notice at least 30 days before that change.
If you moved in on or after March 1, 2024
• Your utilities should be part of rent as a fixed monthly amount, mentioned in your rental agreement. Contact us if that is not the case.
• If your rental unit is submetered, you may be paying a separate PG&E bill directly to the provider based on how much gas and electricity you use in your unit. This is allowed to continue.
The Housing Help Center connects tenants in Mountain View with support services and housing resources.
Contact the Program Today!
• Housing Programs: Learn about rent stabilization, apply for affordable housing, and connect with rental assistance programs
• Eviction Questions: Review eviction notices and the eviction process with staff to understand what's happening and the potential outcomes
• Legal Resources: Connect to legal resources and assistance
• Support Services: Get information on food distribution, financial assistance, mediation, homelessness prevention resources and more
of the month! 6 - 8 p.m.
298 Escuela Ave. Mountain View, CA 94040 | Walk-ins welcome Attend virtually during clinic hours at: mountainview.gov/housinghelpclinics
Clinics are bilingual in English and Spanish. Email mvrent@mountainview.gov to request other languages 48 hours in advance.
Don’t know how to solve an issue you have with your landlord or neighbor? Try Mediation!
The Mountain View Mediation Program provides free dispute resolution for landlords and tenants in Mountain View. As possible solutions arise, trained mediators help guide participants toward a resolution of their own making.
It’s fast, confidential, free and effective!
Successfully resolved cases include: mediate4mv@housing.org 650- 960-0495
• Landlord/tenant issues
• Security deposit issues
• Noise complaints
• Roommate conflicts
• Neighbor issues
Accessibility and Accommodations (Fair Housing)
• April 17, 2025 |2 p.m.
Virtual, mountainview.gov/rspwebinars
Rent Stabilization 101 (Senior Center)
• April 24, 2025 |1 p.m.
In person, Senior Center Social Hall
Mobile Home Rent Stabilization
• May 8, 2025 |6:30 p.m.
In person, Community Center Maple Room and Virtual, mountainview.gov/rspwebinars
Understanding Utility Adjustment Petitions
• May 28, 2025 |6:30 p.m. Virtual, mountainview.gov/rspwebinars
Rent Stabilization 101
• June 10, 2025 |6:30 p.m.
In person, Community Center Maple Room and Virtual, mountainview.gov/rspwebinars
• State Housing Laws – Learn about California State Housing Laws including new security deposit rules and eviction responses.
• Summer Community Kick-off – Join the family-friendly event on May 17 to learn about local services for residents in Mountain View.
• Utility Charges – Find out about how a landlord One-Time Utility Adjustment may impact your unit.
See inside for details!