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• MHRSO and Relocation Basics
• Rent Increases
• Tenant Hardship Petitions
• Security Deposits
• Community Meetings
• Housing Help Center
• 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 mobile home covered by the Mobile Home Rent Stabilization Ordinance (MHRSO).
The MHRSO provides rent stabilization for both mobile home owners and mobile home tenants*. It also provides eviction protections for mobile home tenants, while at the same time protecting the rights of park owners and mobile home landlords to receive a fair return sufficient to cover increases in costs.
All space rent increases and mobile home rent increases 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.
*Mobile Home Tenants are tenants renting a mobile home.
Tenants cannot be asked to move out without a just cause.
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
The State’s Mobilehome Residency Law (MRL) provides similar protections for mobile home owners.
The MHRSO requires Mobile Home Park Owners and Landlords to offer tenants.relocation assistance if they evict renters for the following reasons:
• Necessary Repairs
• Owner Move-in
• Demolition
• Withdrawal from Market
If tenants qualify, they receive money and other support when terminated
State Law provides relocation protections for mobile home owners
If you receive a rent increase higher than the current limit, this may be a Banked Rent Increase, which can be up to 10%. You may qualify for a Tenant Hardship Petition for the banked portion of the rent increase, based on your household’s circumstances and income.
Note that there are important timeframes for this type of petition. Tenant Hardship Petitions must be filed within ten (10) calendar days of the effective date of the rent increase. Contact Rent Stabilization Staff if you have questions about this process.
Petition forms may be found at mountainview.gov /rentstabilization
The MHRSO limits the amount of rent increases for both space rent and mobile home rent to the Annual General Adjustment (AGA), an increase based on the rate of inflation and approved by the Rental Housing Committee (RHC). Mobile Home Park Owners and Landlords (collectively "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.
2025 AGA: 1.6%
(September 1, 202 5 – August 31, 2026)
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 to the tenant and copies need to be sent to the City within 7 days of serving 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 Space Rental Fees are paid
• Property is registered with the City at mvrent.mountainview.gov
• Landlord is otherwise in compliance the MHRSO (including not having outstanding code violations on the property)
• Tenant served a 30-day written increase notice as required by state law
The MHRSO
Upon the sale of a mobile home and the start of a new space tenancy, the space rent increase for the new mobile home owner is limited to 100% CPI. This rule does not apply when a space tenancy was terminated due to non-payment of space rent or another just cause, a mobile home was abandoned, or a commercial purchaser replaces the mobile home.
Upon the start of a tenancy for a mobile home tenant, the initial rent can be set at market rate.
California has rules about tenant security deposits paid to the landlord. According to State Law, landlords can only use security deposits for the following specified expenses:
• Past-due rent.
• The cost of repairing damages caused by tenants or their guests, not including ordinary wear and tear.
• The cost of cleaning the property so that it is as clean as when the tenant first moved in.
• The cost of replacing or restoring the landlord’s personal property, such as furniture, but only if the rental agreement says this is allowed.
In most cases, the security deposit is limited to one month’s rent for tenants moving in on or after July 1, 2024
Reminder that security deposits, including security deposits for pets, are not considered part of rent and should not be increased at any time during the tenancy.
Get your questions answered
Information about these topics and much more is available through new FAQs for the MHRSO:
• How to calculate base rent
• Eviction protections for Mobile Home Tenants
• How to file a petition
• Healthy and Safe Housing
• Adding additional occupants
Check on mountainview.gov/mobilehomes for this valuable information!
Contact the Program Today!
The Housing Help Center connects mobile home residents in Mountain View with support services and housing resources
• 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 Walk-ins welcome
You can also choose to 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’tknowhowtosolveanissueyouhavewithyourlandlordorneighbor?TryMediation!
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
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
Rent Stabilization 101 (Senior Focused)
• October 23, 2025 |1 p.m In person, Senior Center Social Hall
I got an eviction notice...what's next?
• January 27, 2026 |6:30 p.m. In person, Community Center and Virtual, mountainview.gov/rspwebinars
• Allowed Rent Increase as of September 1, 2025 – The maximum allowed rent increase from September 1, 2025 to August 31, 2026 is 1.6% for mobile homes. Banked Rent increases may be allowed if rent increases were not given in full in past years. Your landlord has to be in compliance with the law to give you a rent increase.
• Security Deposits – California State Law provides guidance about how much landlords can charge tenants for security deposits and how a landlord can use that deposit at the end of the tenancy.
• Mobile Home Frequently Asked Questions Available – Check out the FAQs about various topics related to mobile home rent stabilization at mountainview.gov/mobilehomes
See inside for details!