Mountain view rent control is real, and it comes from a voter-approved law called the Community Stabilization and Fair Rent Act (CSFRA). Under mountain view rent control, most covered apartments can go up by no more than 2.5% for the period September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027. Many renters also get strong eviction protection, even if their building is too new for the rent cap.
Is Your Unit Covered by Mountain View Rent Control?
Start with two facts: how many units your building has, and when it was built. Mountain view rent control has two layers. The rent cap applies to most apartment buildings with 3 or more units built before February 1, 1995. The city calls these “Fully Covered Units.”
The second layer is eviction protection. It covers most buildings with 3 or more units built before December 23, 2016. As a result, a tenant in a 2005 building may have no rent cap but still be protected from eviction without a legal reason. However, buildings with fewer than 3 units generally fall outside the CSFRA. Mobile homes are handled under a separate city ordinance.
| Rule | What it says | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Rent cap coverage | Most buildings with 3+ units built before February 1, 1995 | CSFRA, Rent Stabilization Division |
| Eviction protection coverage | Most buildings with 3+ units built before December 23, 2016 | CSFRA, Rent Stabilization Division |
| Allowed increase | 2.5% for September 1, 2026 to August 31, 2027 | Rental Housing Committee Annual General Adjustment |
| Previous allowed increase | 2.7% for September 1, 2025 to August 31, 2026 | Rental Housing Committee Annual General Adjustment |
| How often rent can rise | Once per 12-month period | CSFRA |
| Legal reasons to evict | 9 “just causes” only | CSFRA |
Not sure about your address? Typically, the fastest move is to ask the division directly. Call 650-903-6136 or email [email protected] with your street address. You can also check the City of Mountain View Rent Stabilization Division page.
How Much Rent Can Go Up Under Mountain View Rent Control
Each spring, the city’s Rental Housing Committee sets the Annual General Adjustment, or AGA. It is the most rent can rise on a covered unit in one year. Under mountain view rent control, the AGA is 2.5% for September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027. For example, on a $3,000 rent, that is at most $75 more per month.
Your landlord can raise rent only once in any 12-month period. That one increase might be the AGA, a “banked” increase, or an amount a hearing officer approved. Banking means a landlord who skipped past increases may use them later. However, tenants who qualify can file a Tenant Hardship Petition to ask to be excused from a banked increase.
Notice matters too. An increase takes effect only after the landlord gives at least 30 days’ advance written notice. California’s statewide rent cap is background here. In most cases, when mountain view rent control applies to your unit, the local limit is the one to check first. If your unit is not rent-capped locally, ask the division or a legal-aid office whether the state cap covers you.
Eviction Protections in This City
In a covered building, your landlord needs one of 9 legal reasons, called “just causes,” to end your tenancy. Some are about the tenant. These include not paying rent, breaking the lease, nuisance, criminal activity, or refusing lawful access. Others are “no-fault” reasons. These include necessary repairs, owner move-in, taking the property off the rental market, and demolition.
For some no-fault evictions, the landlord may have to offer relocation assistance. Eligible households earn no more than 120% of median household income plus $5,000. Under the city’s relocation rules, eligible households can receive a full security deposit refund, minus certain repair costs. They can also get one-on-one help finding a new home. Finally, they can get a payment equal to three months’ rent, based on median rent for a similar-sized unit. Confirm your exact amount with the division.
A notice from your landlord is not a court order. However, do not ignore it. If you get an eviction notice or court papers, contact a local legal-aid office or tenant attorney the same week.
What to Do If Your Landlord Breaks Mountain View Rent Control Rules
Your main local office is the Rent Stabilization Division. It answers questions, explains your rights, and runs the petition process. Call 650-903-6136 or email [email protected]. The division is the right first stop for most problems under mountain view rent control.
If something is wrong, you can file a petition. Tenants may ask for a downward rent adjustment for three reasons. The first is a unit that fails health, safety, or building codes. The second is reduced services or maintenance. The third is paying more than the lawful rent. A hearing officer then reviews the case. As a result, you may be able to lower your rent or recover overcharges.
Bring proof. Gather your lease, every rent-increase notice, rent receipts or bank records, and repair requests. Add dated photos of problems and any texts or emails with your landlord. However, if you are facing an active eviction, don’t wait on a petition. Call a legal-aid office or tenant attorney right away.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the allowed increase under mountain view rent control right now?
For September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2027, the allowed increase is 2.5%. For the prior year, September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2026, it was 2.7%. Your landlord still must give at least 30 days’ written notice.
My building was built in 2010. Am I protected?
Your rent is probably not capped, since the cutoff is February 1, 1995. However, mountain view rent control eviction protection covers most 3+ unit buildings built before December 23, 2016. That means you may be able to stay unless your landlord has one of the 9 just causes.
Can my landlord raise my rent twice in one year?
No, not on a covered unit. Rent can go up only once per 12-month period. If it happened to you, contact the Rent Stabilization Division about a petition.
Protect your stuff while you sort this out
A landlord’s insurance does not cover your belongings — renters insurance does, often for a few dollars a month. Compare options before your next move.
Find Your State’s Exact Rules
Notice periods, deposit caps, and the eviction timeline all change from state to state. Pick your state to see the exact days, dollar limits, and steps that apply where you live.
See Tenant Rights in All 50 States →
Sources & How to Verify
The rules on this page are drawn from official government and legal-aid sources. Tenant law changes, so always confirm the exact rule with your state’s statute or a local legal-aid office.
- HUD: hud.gov — federal renter protections and fair housing
- Legal Services Corporation: lsc.gov — find free legal aid in your state
- Cornell Legal Information Institute: law.cornell.edu/wex — plain-English legal definitions
- Your state statute & court self-help portal: search “[your state] landlord tenant act” and “[your state] court self-help eviction” for the exact law and forms
Content last reviewed September 2026. If you notice outdated information, please contact us.
California Renter Guides
- California Eviction Process
- California Tenant Rights
- California Security Deposit Law
- California Rent Increase Laws
- California Repairs and Habitability
- Breaking a Lease in California
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Informational only — not legal advice. Tenant Rights Info is an independent educational resource, not a law firm, and this page does not provide legal advice. Landlord-tenant law varies by state and city and changes over time, so always verify the exact rule with your state’s statute, your local court’s self-help portal, or a legal-aid office. For urgent situations like an active eviction, contact a local legal-aid office or a licensed tenant attorney in your state right away.