A judge in Santa Clara County heard arguments -- but did not rule -- Tuesday in a case that will determine whether rent control can move forward in Mountain View.
The California Apartment Association already has been granted a temporary restraining order against Mountain View's Measure V, which would limit rent increases to the consumer price index for certain properties and make it harder to evict tenants. If the judge rules in favor of the landlord group, the measure would be further delayed while the case works its way through the court.
The CAA and other opponents of rent control argue that landlords are not responsible for the regional housing crisis, while supporters often point out that rising rents have outpaced incomes.
Mountain View was one of five Bay Area cities that placed rent control on the ballot last fall in order to prevent displacement of residents. Between 2011 and 2015, rents in the city increased 52.7 percent, according to estimates by RealFacts.
Measure V passed with approximately 53 percent of the vote last fall.