The Mandatory Mediation program offers an opportunity for landlords and tenants to discuss issues related to increases in monthly rent greater than 5% over a 12-month period.
In mediation, a neutral third-party, called a mediator, facilitates discussion between tenants and landlords with the goal of amicably settling a dispute. Mediation does not guarantee a reduction in any rent increase and tenants are required to pay all rent legally due to the landlord during the mediation process. Both landlords and tenants are required to participate fully in the mediation process. If a landlord does not participate in good faith, the rent increase in question may be deemed invalid.
The program applies only in participating Marin jurisdictions:
- Unincorporated Marin County
- City of San Rafael
- Town of Fairfax
You can use our jurisdiction look-up tool to confirm your location. The program applies to all rentals in participating jurisdictions at no charge.
How to apply
To request mandatory mediation services, complete the request form below. Your request will be routed to staff in the Consumer Protection Unit at the District Attorney's office who manage the landlord/tenant mediation program.
This form is available in English and Spanish. Select the language using the button on the top-right corner of the form.
Landlords can request this service at any time in anticipation of a rent increase. Tenants must submit their request for mediation within 10 calendar days of receiving notice of the rent increase.
Voluntary mediation services
The District Attorney's Office continues to offer voluntary mediation services through its Consumer Protection Unit. The program provides free dispute resolution services to tenants and landlords who seek facilitated conversation of disputes including those relating to repairs, security deposits, and evictions or lease terminations.
These services are available to all rentals throughout Marin, in both incorporated (such as the City of Novato or Town of San Anselmo) and unincorporated areas.
Notice of Tenants' Rights requirement
Landlords are required to provide a complete copy of this Notice of Tenant Rights to tenants of their residential properties located in participating Marin jurisdictions when:
- Renewing a rental agreement
- Entering into a new rental agreement, or
- Providing notice of a rental increase
The documents in this list may not work with all assistive technology and are being remediated. For alternative formats, please email Aline Tanielian or phone 415-473-3547. To use the California relay service, dial 711.
- Notice of Tenants' Rights (0.27 MB) — This Notice describes mediation opportunities available to tenants through the Rental Housing Dispute Resolution (“Mandatory Mediation”) program.
- Aviso de Derechos de los Inquilinos (0.32 MB) — Este aviso describe las oportunidades de mediación disponibles para los inquilinos a través del programa de Resolución de Disputas sobre el Alquiler de Viviendas ("Mediación Obligatoria").
Guidelines
The Mandatory Mediation program was adopted by the Board of Supervisors on September 28, 2018 and has since been codified in Marin County Municipal Code Chapter 5.98. The implementing guidelines for this program are available in PDF format below in English and Spanish.
The documents in this list may not work with all assistive technology and are being remediated. For alternative formats, please email Aline Tanielian or phone 415-473-3547. To use the California relay service, dial 711.
- Mandatory Mediation Guidelines (0.12 MB) — Program details and requirements.
- Directivas para la Mediación Obligatoria (0.11 MB) — Detalles y requisitos del programa.