Yesterday, the Judicial Council of California amended the California Rules of Court to bar evictions during the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic statewide.  These rules were necessary given that many Californians continued living in cities and counties that had yet to pass eviction moratoria, and the statewide eviction moratoria do not prohibit all evictions.

During the Coronavirus/COVID-19, a California court may not issue an unlawful detainer (eviction) summons or complaint, unless the eviction is necessary to protect public health and safety. This rule essential prohibits nearly all eviction lawsuits during the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic.

For eviction actions already in progress where a defendant has not yet appeared, California courts are not to enter a tenant’s default for failure to appear unless the eviction is necessary to protect public health.  For eviction actions already in progress where a defendant has appeared, California courts must set trial dates at least sixty days from the date of the request for trial.  For pending eviction actions with trial dates set as of April 6, 2020, California courts must continue the trial date at least 60 days from the date of the initial trial date.

The California Coronavirus/COVID-19 eviction prohibition protecting California tenants will remain in effect until 90 days after the Governor lifts Coronavirus/COVID-19 state of emergency.

Click here to read the unabridged California Coronavirus/COVID-19 eviction prohibition.

With this action, California tenants are now protected from evictions during the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic.  Previously, numerous California cities and counties had passed moratoria, usually limited to evictions related to non-payment of rent due to the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic.  These cities and counites include, San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, San Jose, Santa Monica, Culver City, Stockton, Sacramento, San Diego, Alameda, Burbank, Pasadena, Vallejo, Inglewood, Glendale, El Monte, South Pasadena, Richmond, Emeryville, Ojai, Palo Alto, Clearlake, Palm Springs, Goleta, Santa Ana, San Louis Obispo County, West Sacramento, Watsonville, Woodland, Anaheim, Beverly Hills, Benicia, Camarillo, San Leandro, Union City, San Joaquin County, Concord, and Los Angeles.  The Judicial Council’s sweeping new rules expand the number of California tenants protected during the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic.

This latest development protects nearly all California tenants during this difficult time.  If you are a California tenant with questions about the California Coronavirus/COVID-19 eviction prohibition, California Rent Control (AB1482), contact Astanehe Law to speak with an experienced tenant attorney.