2016 New Laws for Landlords

Mountain View Passes Right-to-Lease Ordinance

Effective January 7^th, a new Mountain View law mandates that landlords offer new tenants the option of a 6-month and 12-month lease. These lease options can be in addition to a month-month option. However, the rent amount for the lease options cannot be higher than the month-to-month option. The intent of this new law is give tenants the security of rent stability for a set period of time.

Landlords are required to notify new and existing tenants of the ordinance in writing. For units currently rented on a month-to-month basis, landlords have until March 1^st to offer them the two lease options.

Further information, a copy of the Right-To-Lease Ordinance and a copy of the official tenant’s Right-To-Lease Notice (in 4 languages) can be found at: www.MountainView.gov/RTLO

This ordinance applies to landlords who rent three or more dwelling units housed in a single structure.

Notice of Pesticide Use

Section1940.8.5 to the California Civil Code (also known as SB 328)

Existing law requires licensed pest control operators to provide to tenants written notification that includes the pest to be targeted, the pesticide to be used, the frequency of its use, and a health and safety statement prior to a pesticide application.

This addition to the civil code mandates that when pesticides are about to be applied to rental property by the landlord or an authorized agent, rather than by a licensed pest control operator, potentially affected tenants are provided with substantially the same written notification that they would have received under existing law had the pesticides been applied by a pest control operator.

2015 Duplex and Fourplex Sales Stats

The Bay Area has seen some of the highest annual rent increases in the country. Despite a surge in apartment construction, rents are still projected to rise because housing is not keeping up with job growth. 

Here is why more people than ever are apartment hunting:

• Local job growth is bringing more people into the region
• Young people who have been living with their parents are increasingly finding jobs and moving out.
• Rising rents are taking a bigger bite out of the paycheck combined with rising house prices, are making it difficult for potential buyers to save up the down payment money.
• Many workers would rather rent close to work than purchase more affordable houses that require a long commute to work.
• Many millennials (18- to 34-year-olds) simply prefer renting.

Rent values are the primary driver behind appreciation in apartment building values. Here are sales statistics for duplexes and fourplexes sold in selected cites.  This table is based on information from the local MLS and therefore does not include sales that were not recorded in the MLS.  Information is believed to be accurate, but not guaranteed.