California’s Eviction Moratorium Expires; Fears Excessive Amongst Money-Strapped Tenants – CBS San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) – After more than a year, California’s eviction moratorium ended shortly after midnight, allowing landlords to evict tenants for non-payment of rent during the COVID pandemic.

Officials say Friday’s expiration won’t trigger a massive wave of evictions across the San Francisco Bay Area – some tenant protections remain in place.

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“A landlord must apply for rent allowance before attempting to evict you in court for failing to pay your rent,” state housing officials said in a press release.

Many residents, such as May, a housekeeper and immigrant from Mexico who has been unemployed since the pandemic and said she could not pay rent, were still fears and fears high.

She said she went to boards to buy groceries and that her worst fear was becoming homeless with her three children.

“It’s not that I don’t want to pay my rent, it’s because of the pandemic, there is no work,” said May. “I’m afraid, not for myself, but for my children.”

State officials said tenants in need can file an application the rent reduction program the eligible tenants and landlords pays 100% of the overdue rent and ancillary costs of a tenant by April 1, 2020.

“The program is free and currently has no deadline, but as funding may be limited, renters are encouraged to apply as soon as possible,” officials said.

Only a fraction of the available federal funding of $ 5.2 billion was distributed. Some property owners say this is because the program is unnecessarily complex and poorly designed, requiring both the landlord and tenant to individually complete requests for assistance.

“I don’t understand why there is a challenge, especially when it has no impact and no disadvantages. There’s just a general indifference to filling out the application, ”says Jeff Zell, property owner and manager with around 2,000 units in his portfolio.

Zell says his company completed the application for all tenants who defaulted on their rent during the pandemic but struggled to get them to complete their part of the application.

“It’s a very poorly designed program. Also, it is up to tenants to fill out this application, which in many cases they are reluctant or simply unwilling to fill out, ”he said.

In light of the deadline, Lourdes Castro Ramirez, secretary of the state agency for the economy, consumer services and housing, urged tenants to take advantage of the more than $ 7 billion the state has made available for rent and utility payments.

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“Applying for rental assistance is the best way to protect yourself from eviction,” Castro Ramirez said during a briefing at Shelter Inc. in Concord, an organization that helps alleviate homelessness.

In addition to the end of the state’s moratorium, some local eviction moratoriums also expired, including one in the Contra Costa district.

According to Castro Ramirez, about 4,800 residents of Contra Costa County have applied for rent relief totaling about $ 55 million.

State officials said $ 1.69 billion in funding was distributed nationwide to support households that are behind schedule with their rent or utility payments.

State lawmakers previously extended the moratorium several times, but were unable to do so after September 30, before the state’s legislature ended on September 10.

Lawyers also reminded California residents that resources are available on HousingIsKey.com for both renters and landlords.

There are also regulations for landlords.

• Your landlord can give you a reminder to “pay or cancel” (this is a message from your landlord that gives you a certain amount of time to pay the outstanding rent you owe or vacate your house) at any time however, it will not be able to legally terminate you without first applying to the CA COVID-19 Tenant Facilitation Program.
• If you receive a “pay or cancel” reminder, it is highly recommended that you seek immediate legal assistance to determine and protect your rights. If your “payment or termination” notice includes a “COVID-19-related financial emergency statement” – and you have been financially affected by the pandemic – you should sign the statement within 15 working days and return it to your landlord for your protection to strengthen.

Other things tenants need to know:

• • From November 1, 2021, your landlord can sue you for unpaid rent. Up until October 1, 2021, a landlord can only terminate a tenant if he presents a valid reason.
  • It is illegal for a landlord to file a 30- or 60-day eviction complaint with a tenant without giving a reason. This is commonly referred to as eviction for no reason.
  • The reason given must match one of the valid reasons the law allows for an eviction for “just cause”.
  • Existing eviction orders from local authorities can remain in effect until they expire, but they cannot postpone rental obligations beyond May 31, 2023.
  • For example, landlords who lock out tenants, remove personal belongings, or shut down utility services to evict a tenant instead of going through the required legal process can face fines of between $ 1,000 and $ 2,500. These penalties apply until October 1, 2021.

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If you believe you have been illegally displaced or if you need legal advice, you should seek help from an attorney. If you need inexpensive or free legal assistance, visit www.lawhelpca.org for more resources.