Concord tenants are protected from evictions related to Coronavirus/COVID-19 income disruptions.  During the Coronavirus/COVID-19 state of emergency, Concord landlords cannot evict a tenant for non-payment of rent due to financial disruption related to Coronavirus/COVID-19.  The Concord Coronavirus/COVID-19 eviction moratorium also contains a rent increase moratorium for covered tenants.

Concord Coronavirus/COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium Coverage

To qualify for eviction protections, Concord tenants must:

  1. Demonstrate that the Coronavirus/COVID-19 has impacted them;
  2. At least seven days before the rent is due, provide to the landlord written notice of inability to pay rent due to the Coronavirus/COVID-19 impact; and,
  3. Within three days after the rent is due, provide the landlord with written documentation or other objectively verifiable means of the substantial decrease in household or business income.

Concord Coronavirus/COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium Impacts

Under the Concord Coronavirus/COVID-19 eviction moratorium, impacts arising out of a substantial decrease in household or business income, including but not limited to:

  1. A reduction in 20% or more of a tenant’s monthly gross pay due to Coronavirus/COVID-19 related layoffs or reduction in work hours;
  2. Substantial out-of-pocket medical expenses caused by Coronavirus/COVID-19 or by any government response measures; or,
  3. Extraordinary childcare needs or expenses arising from school or childcare closures caused by Coronavirus/COVID-19 or by any government response measures.

Concord Coronavirus/COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium Supporting Documentation

Supporting documentation includes a letter from employer noting layoff or termination, unemployment approval letter, pay stubs showing reduced hours or reduced pay, medical bills, and notification of school closure.

Concord Coronavirus/COVID-19 Rent Increase Moratorium

Until at least May 31, 2020, tenants covered by the Concord Coronavirus/COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium are also protected by a rent increase moratorium.  Concord landlords cannot increase rent for these tenants.  Additionally, covered tenants are insulated from utility charge increases.

Concord Coronavirus/COVID-19 Utility Moratorium

The Concord Coronavirus/COVID-19 eviction moratorium also prohibits evictions of covered tenants for failure to pay utilities. Further, Concord landlords may not shut off an affected a covered tenant’s utilities.

90 Days After Pandemic to Pay Deferred Rent & Utility Bills

Concord tenants have 90 days after the expiration of the Concord Coronavirus/COVID-19 eviction moratorium to pay deferred rent.  Concord landlords may not charge tenants late fees or penalties for deferring rent or utility payments under the Concord Coronavirus/COVID-19 eviction moratorium.

However, certain occupants are exempt from the late fee and penalty waiver.  Occupants in the following units are exempt:

  • Occupants in hotels;
  • Accommodations in nonprofit hospitals, religious facilities, extended care facilities, and licensed residential care facilities for the elderly;
  • Dorms owned and operated by a school;
  • Accommodations where the tenant shares a bathroom or kitchen with the owner who resides in the unit as their principal residence;
  • Single-family owner-occupied residences, including where the owner leases no more than two bedrooms or units, including an ADU, on the property;
  • Duplex in which the owner occupies one of the units as their principal residence at the beginning of the tenancy and continues to reside in the unit;
  • Housing built within the last 15 years; and,
  • Single-family homes and condos where the owner is not a REIT, a corporation, or an LLC with at least one corporate member.

Concord Coronavirus/COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium Effective Date

The Concord Coronavirus/COVID-19 eviction moratorium shall remain in effect through May 31, 2020, unless extended.

Concord joins numerous other California cities that have, or will soon pass, Coronavirus/COVID-19 eviction moratoriums, including San FranciscoOaklandBerkeleySan JoseSanta MonicaCulver CityStocktonSacramentoSan DiegoAlamedaBurbankPasadenaVallejoInglewoodGlendaleEl MonteSouth PasadenaRichmondEmeryvilleOjaiPalo AltoClearlakePalm Springs, Goleta, Santa Ana, San Louis Obispo County, West Sacramento, Watsonville, Woodland, Anaheim, Beverly Hills, Benicia, Camarillo, San Leandro, Union City, San Joaquin County, and Los Angeles.

Click here to read the unabridged Concord Coronavirus/COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium.

If you are a Concord tenant with questions about your rights under the Concord Coronavirus/COVID-19 eviction moratorium or have questions about California Rent Control (AB 1482), contact Astanehe Law to speak with a tenant attorney.