Rent Stabilization News
For Tenants of Partially Covered CSFRA Units
Why am I Receiving this Letter?
This newsletter is in your mailbox because you live in a rental property covered by the Community Stabilization and Fair Rent Act (CSFRA). For more information visit: bit.ly/MV-CSFRA
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• Anti-Retaliation and Anti-Harassment regulations
• End of Lease
• Tenant Relocation Assistance Ordinance
• Required Information Sheet
• Success Stories
• Housing Help Center for Tenants
• Mediation for Landlords and Tenants
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• Upcoming Workshops
• Major Division Updates Rent Stabilization Division Contact
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.
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. 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.
650-903-6136
298 Escuela Ave.
Mountain View, CA 94040
Landlords who violate the CSFRA Regulations may be held liable for damages 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
What happens at the end of a lease?
Not signing a new lease is not a reason for eviction.
What does this mean? 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 month-to-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.
Eviction Prevention
The CSFRA limits the grounds for issuing termination notices to Tenants (“Just Cause” evictions). Landlords must file a copy of the termination notice and followup documentation with the City. Any notice of termination, including non-payment of rent, given to a tenant must include:
• The specific reason for the termination
• That the unit is a Covered Unit under the CSFRA
• That the Tenant may seek assistance from the Mountain View Rent Stabilization Division, including the phone number: 650-903-6136
Written Notice to Cease
For evictions given for the Breach of Lease, Nuisance or Criminal Activity, the Landlord is required to first serve the Tenant with a Written Notice to Cease to provide the Tenant an opportunity to cure an alleged violation or problem prior to service of a notice to terminate tenancy.
Required Information Sheet
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.
You can find these forms at: bit.ly/MV-Forms
Tenant Relocation Assistance Ordinance Revised
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.
Success Story - Eviction Prevention
A senior household visited the Rent Stabilization Division after receiving an eviction notice tied to the sale of their home. Living on fixed incomes, they were concerned about relocation costs and rising rents. Staff reviewed the notice, explained their protections, and contacted the landlord to provide guidance on applicable laws. The landlord withdrew the eviction notice shortly after. This case highlights how outreach and timely intervention can prevent displacement and protect vulnerable residents.
The Housing Help Center connects tenants in Mountain View with support services and housing resources.
Visit us at the Housing Help Center
• 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
1st and 3rd Thursdays 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.
mediate4mv@housing.org 650- 960-0495
Mediation for Landlords and Tenants
Don’tknowhowtosolveanissueyouhavewithyourlandlordorneighbor?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 of their own making. 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
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Upcoming Workshops
What to Know About Affordable and Below Market Rate Housing
• September 1st, 2026, 2026 |6:00 p.m. | Virtual
Understanding Anti-Harassment and Anti-Retaliation Protections
• September 15th, 2026 |6:00 p.m | Virtual
CSA Resources: Learn about the Community Services Agency (CSA) in Mountain View
• October 6th, 2026 |6:00 p.m |Virtual
Rent Stabilization 101 (Senior Focused)
• October 22nd, 2026 |1:00 p.m. |Senior Center Social Hall
For virtual webinars, go to mountainview.gov/rspwebinars
City of Mountain View Rent Stabilization Division Updates
• Tenant Relocation Assistance Ordinance Revised–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.
• Required Information Sheet: The CSFRA requires that tenants be provided with an Information Sheet at the beginning of their tenancy and with each rent increase notice
• 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.
See inside for details!