Money Strapped Tenants Concern Finish Of California’s COVID Eviction Moratorium – CBS San Francisco
WALNUT CREEK (CBS SF) – After more than a year, California’s eviction moratorium is ending this week, allowing landlords to remove tenants who are not paying rent during the COVID pandemic.
However, officials say the 11:59 a.m. Thursday expiration will not spark a massive wave of evictions across the San Francisco Bay Area.
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Some protective measures for tenants remain in place.
“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.
Housing advocates held a caravan and rally in San Francisco over the weekend. They hoped to get the message across that the economic challenges of the pandemic have not gone away and that unemployment is still high.
“Today’s reality in America, today in California is not the time for an end to the eviction moratorium,” said housing attorney Brian Zhang. “People are not ready. They haven’t recovered from the pandemic. “
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“In the midst of a pandemic, evicting people from their homes is absolutely criminal,” added housing attorney Nathalie Hrizi. “It’s not just about their wellbeing. It is also a public health issue. “
State officials said tenants in distress can apply for the Rent Relief Program, which pays eligible tenants and landlords 100% of a tenant’s overdue rent and utilities, dating back to 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.
There are also regulations for landlords.
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- Your landlord can give you a “payment or termination” reminder at any time (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, you will not be able to legally terminate 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. Until October 1, 2021, a landlord can only terminate a tenant if he presents a legally 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.
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.
