Mountain View returned from the brink of approving binding arbitration — a form of rent control — during the City Council’s Tuesday night meeting.
The California Apartment Association played a pivotal role in mobilizing property owners to speak at the meeting and advocate for sensible landlord-tenant measures.
Mountain View had been considering binding arbitration, which allows a third party to decide how much rent can increase — if at all — making it a form of rent control. The city of Alameda formally approved such a policy March 1.
CAA succeeded in fending off this type of rent control in Mountain View as the council opted instead to pursue a less heavy-handed framework for negotiations.
On a 4-3 vote, the council approved a plan that begins with mediation when rental property owners move to increase rent more than 7.2 percent in a 12-month span.
If mediation fails, the tenant can pursue non-binding arbitration. In this scenario, the arbitrator’s decision would be advisory and only take effect if both parties agree.
Mountain View’s decision to pursue non-binding arbitration comes shortly after the city implemented a “right to a lease” law, guaranteeing tenants the right to a fixed-term lease. It also comes after the city last year rejected a rent control proposal.
Related content:
- City drops rent control from relief package (Mountain View Voice, March 16)