Source: https://www.marincounty.org/depts/cd/divisions/housing/dispute-resolution
Timestamp: 2019-02-15 19:02:44
Document Index: 530911297

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 5', '§ 5', '§ 4', '§ 5', '§ 4', '§ 5', '§ 3', '§ 5', '§ 3']

The Rental Housing Dispute Resolution ("Mandatory Mediation") program applies to residential tenancies in the unincorporated areas of Marin County.
The program offers an opportunity for landlords and tenants to discuss issues related to increases in monthly greater than 5% in a one-year period.
To request mandatory mediation services, complete the Mediation Service Request form and submit it to the District Attorney’s Consumer Protection Unit at (415) 473-6495 or consumer@marincounty.org.
Questions about this program? Please review the responses to Frequently Asked Questions provided below. Additional questions may be directed to Debbi La Rue dlarue@marincounty.org or (415) 473-7309.
Landlords are required to provide tenants of their residential properties located in unincorporated Marin County with a Notice of Tenant Rights when renewing a rental agreement, when entering into a new rental agreement, and when providing notice of a rent increase. These notices and forms are provided below in the "forms and documents" section.
The Rental Housing Dispute Resolution program is a product of the Board of Supervisors Affordable Housing Workplan. To learn more about policies that are intended to preserve and expand on our affordable housing stock please see the County’s Affordable Housing webpage.
In support of these goals, the Marin County Board of Supervisors elected on December 12, 2017 to adopt a Rental Housing Dispute Resolution ordinance. On August 21, 2018, the Board of Supervisors adopted a revision of that ordinance, which clarifies specific provisions that describe good faith participation and notice requirements.
To what properties does this ordinance apply?
The ordinance applies to all residential dwelling units located within the unincorporated area of Marin County. For the purposes of this program, a residential dwelling unit may be defined generally as that containing a separate bathroom, kitchen, and living area. Residential dwelling units owned or operated by a government agency, or units that are restricted for affordable housing, are largely exempt from the ordinance.
For details, see Marin County Code § 5.95.020.
The ordinance became effective January 11, 2018. A qualifying rent increase issued on or after that date is subject to the ordinance.
For details, see Marin County Code § 5.95.040 and Guidelines § 4.
If a request for mandatory dispute resolution services is deemed eligible, the tenant and landlord will be contacted by a mediator assigned by the County to discuss the issue.
For details, see Marin County Code § 5.95.040 and 5.95.050(b) and Guidelines § 4.
To participate in good faith, landlords are prohibited from harassing the tenant by engaging in behavior prohibited by ordinance section 5.95.060 and guidelines section 9. Many of the behaviors and activities prohibited by this ordinance are also precluded by State law. Prohibited behaviors include:
Interrupting, failing to provide, or threatening to interrupt or fail to provide any housing service under a lease or rental agreement, including but not limited to utility services and other amenities and services agreed to by contract;
Failing to perform repairs or maintenance required by contract or by State, or County housing, health, or safety laws;
Failing to exercise due diligence to complete repairs and maintenance once undertaken, including the failure to follow industry-appropriate safety standards and protocols;
Abusing or otherwise improperly using landlord’s right to access the property;
Removing personal property of the tenant(s) from the dwelling unit;
Influencing or attempting to influence the tenant(s) to vacate the unit by means of fraud, intimidation, or coercion (including but not limited to threats based on immigration status in violation of California Civil Code section 1940.3);
Offering payment or any other consideration, in return for the tenant(s) vacating the dwelling unit, more often than once every six months;
Threatening the tenant(s) by word or gesture with physical harm;
Interfering with the tenants(s) right to quiet use and enjoyment of the dwelling unit;
Refusing to accept or acknowledge receipt of lawful rent from the tenant(s);
Interfering with the tenant(s) right to privacy;
Requesting information that violates the tenant(s) right to privacy;
Repeating other acts or omissions of such significance as to substantially interfere with or disturb the tenant(s) comfort, repose, peace, or quiet enjoyment, and that cause, are likely to cause, or are intended to cause the tenant(s) to vacate the dwelling unit; or
Retaliating against the tenant(s) for the tenant(s) exercise of rights under the ordinance or State or federal law.
For details, see Marin County Code § 5.95.050(d) and 5.95.060 and Guidelines § 3(b) and 5.
Landlords are required to provide tenants with a Notice of Tenant Rights by February 10, 2018.
Landlords are additionally required to provide a Notice of Tenant Rights to tenants when entering into a new rental agreement, when renewing a rental agreement, and when providing notice of a rent increase. The Notice of Tenant Rights is required to describe the dispute resolution service and how to request service.
For details, see Marin County Code § 5.95.070 and 5.95.080 and Guidelines § 3(c).
These services are available throughout the County, in both incorporated (such as City of San Rafael or Town of Fairfax) and unincorporated areas.
No, the County is pleased to offer this resource at no cost to the participating parties.
The ordinance applies to all residential dwelling units located within the unincorporated area of Marin County. For the purposes of this ordinance, a residential dwelling unit may be defined generally as that containing a separate bathroom, kitchen, and living area. Residential dwelling units owned or operated by a government agency, or units that are restricted for affordable housing, are largely exempt from the ordinance.
Abusing or otherwise improperly use landlord’s right to access the property;
Mediation Service Request form (Solicitud de Servicio de Mediación / Yêu cầu dịch vụ hòa giải)
Mediation Service Request Online Form
Implementing Guidelines (Lineamientos de implementación / Hướng dẫn thực hiện)
Ordinance 3697 (Ordenanza)