1 • Anti-Retaliation and Anti-Harassment regulations
2 • Rent Increases • End of Lease
• Required Information Sheet
• Tenant Relocation Assistance Ordinance
3
4
• Success Stories • Housing Help Center for Tenants
• Mediation for Landlords and Tenants
• Upcoming Workshops
Why am I Receiving this Letter?
This newsletter is in your mailbox because you own or manage a rental property covered by the Community Stabilization and Fair Rent Act (CSFRA). For more information, visit: bit.ly/MV-CSFRA
What is a Covered Unit?
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.
If your property is covered by the CSFRA, there are rules to protect tenants from harassment and retaliation by their landlord. These rules support tenants when they exercise their rights such as asking for repairs, reporting code violations, or joining a tenant organization.
CSFRA Regulations prohibit landlords from engaging in certain acts or failing to perform certain acts in Bad Faith related to a tenancy, such as:
• Threatening to evict a tenant without a lawful reason
• Not making necessary repairs or turning off services like heat, water, or electricity.
• Entering a tenant’s home without proper notice
• Pressuring a tenant to vacate or relinquish their rights
• Using threatening, intimidating, or unwelcome language
• Threatening to release or releasing a tenant's private information, including their residence, immigration status, or social security number.
Landlords who violate the CSFRA Regulations may be held liable for damage. If a landlord harasses or retaliates against a tenant for exercising their rights, the regulations specify legal options and protections available to tenants.
For more information visit: bit.ly/MV-antiretaliation
Not signing a new lease is not a reason for eviction. The CSFRA limits the reasons for eviction to 9 “just causes.” Not having a lease or signing a new one, is NOT one of these 9 termination reasons. This means a tenant is not required to sign a new lease at the end of their current term or when a new landlord or property management company takes over. If a tenant chooses not to sign a new lease, the tenancy continues on a monthto-month basis under the terms of the prior lease. While the tenancy continues on a monthto-month basis, the landlord is still required to have a "just cause" to terminate the tenancy. The landlord may impose a rent increase on the tenant if 12 or more months have elapsed since the tenant’s move-in date or since the last increase.
Rent increases for rent-stabilized units 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. The 2026 allowed increase is 2.5% and can be given starting September 1, 2026
2026 AGA: 2.5%
(September 1, 2026 – August 31, 2027)
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 increase notices require specific mandatory language for the tenant and must be sent to the City within 7 days of serving the notice on the tenant. Qualifying tenants can file a Tenant Hardship Petition to request an exemption from banked increases.
A landlord may increase rent when in compliance with the law:
• At least 12 months since the last rent increase
• Annual Rental Housing Fees are paid
• Property is registered with the City at mvrent.mountainview.gov
• Landlord is otherwise in compliance with the CSFRA (including not having outstanding code violations on the property)
• Tenant served a 30-day written increase notice as required by state law
The CSFRA requires that tenants be provided with an Information Sheet at the beginning of their tenancy and with each rent increase notice. The Information Sheet provides general information about tenants' rights and landlords' obligations under the CSFRA. An updated Information Sheet has been published on the website and is available in English, Spanish and Mandarin. The Rent Stabilization Division also provides a rent increase addendum template for landlords to use to notify tenants of banked rent increases, which includes mandatory language
You can find these forms at bit.ly/MV-Forms
Displacement of tenants might require providing tenant relocation assistance through either the City’s Tenant Relocation Assistance Ordinance (TRAO) and/or the State’s Housing Crisis Act of 2019, also referred to as SB330. Relocation assistance is intended to help eligible households with the cost of moving and securing replacement housing. Eligible tenants also have the right of first refusal to a newly constructed unit if their home is demolished and redeveloped. Demolition of rental properties may also trigger requirements to replace the demolished units with affordable rental or ownership housing.
To determine which laws may be applicable to your situation, see the Tenant Relocation Administrative Guidelines. These guidelines provide an overview of key provisions from the City's TRAO regulations and State Law SB 330. The more generous or protective of the TRAO or SB330 requirements shall prevail where applicable. Please refer to each respective law for the complete text and requirements. These guidelines may be revised from time to time to clarify or revise procedures consistent with state law.
For more information, visit bit.ly/MV-TRAO For questions, please contact Andrea Kennedy by phone at (650) 903-6125 or by email at andrea.kennedy@mountainview.gov.
Each year, properties covered by the Community Stabilization Fair Rent Act must be registered through the Rent Stabilization Division portal, and landlords must submit an annual rental housing fee.
Recently, a landlord who had successfully registered in previous years reached out for assistance after encountering unexpected technical issues. The portal’s updated appearance made it difficult for her to complete the registration and payment process. Our staff quickly stepped in to help. Over the phone, they provided her with step-by-step guidance, ensuring she could finalize her registration and submit the required fee without further delay. The landlord later shared her appreciation:
“Thank you so much for your prompt assistance. Must admit you guys do have a very competent staff up there. You really made my day. The fee was paid. Thanks again for your great help.”
We take pride in supporting both tenants and housing providers by offering clear guidance and responsive service that helps keep our community in compliance and on track.
Come to the Housing Help Center to receive individualized support.
• Rent Stabilization and Eviction Protections: Learn about the tenant protection laws in Mountain View and how they affect property owners and tenants.
• Property Registration and Annual Fees: Get individual assistance to pay fees and complete the required annual property registration.
• Compliance: Get information about the Rental Housing Fee or other compliance requirements.
• Petitions: Learn about and receive help with filing petitions and responding to tenant petitions.
Resources and support are available for tenants unable to pay rent! The Community Services Agency (CSA) provides qualifying tenants with rental assistance and other assistance to stabilize their situation.
Tenants can contact CSA directly or ask for a referral to CSA from the Rent Stabilization Division. You, as the landlord, may hear from a CSA case manager if tenants apply for assistance. They will work with you both to help tenants stay housed.
Visit csacares.org to learn about the valuable resources available for the community in Mountain View
Contact the Program Today!
mediate4mv@housing.org 650-960-0495
Every Thursday 1-3 p.m.
298 Escuela Ave. Mountain View, CA Walk-ins welcome
You can also choose to attend virtually during clinic hours at: mountainview.gov/housinghelpclinics
Don’tknowhowtoresolveanissuewithyourtenant?TryMediation!
The Mountain View Mediation Program provides free dispute-resolution services to landlords and tenants in Mountain View. As possible solutions arise, trained mediators help guide participants toward a resolution they reach on their own
It’s fast, confidential, free and effective!
Successfully resolved cases include:
• Landlord/tenant issues
• Security deposit issues
• Noise complaints
• Roommate conflicts
• Neighbor issues
City of Mountain View 298 Escuela Ave Mountain View, CA 94040
ADDRESS CORRECTION
REQUESTED
New Landlords in Mountain View: What to Know About Tenant Protections
• July 7th, 2026 |2:00 p.m. | Virtual
How to Lawfully Increase Rent
• August 11th, 2026 |2:00 p.m. | Virtual
How to Comply with Tenant Eviction Protections in Mountain View
• September 10th 2026 |2:00 p.m. | Virtual
Understanding Anti-Harassment and Anti-Retaliation Protections
• September 15th, 2026 |6:00 p.m. | Virtual
CSA Services: How the Community Services Agency (CSA) Can Assist Your Tenants
• October 6th, 2026 |2:00 p.m. |Community Center/Virtual
Rent Stabilization 101 (Resident Focused)
• October 22nd, 2026 |1:00 p.m. |Senior Center Social Hall For virtual webinars, go to mountainview.gov/rspwebinars
• Allowed Rent Increase as of September 1, 2026 –The maximum allowed rent increase from September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2027, is 2.5% for fully covered CSFRA units.
• Tenant Relocation Assistance Ordinance Revised–Certain displacement of tenants might require providing tenant relocation assistance
• What happens at the end of a lease? Not signing a new lease is not a reason for eviction.
• Anti-Retaliation and Anti-Harassment Regulations: If your rental unit is covered by the CSFRA, there are rules to protect tenants from harassment and retaliation by their landlord. bit.ly/MVantiretaliation
See inside for details!