Stockton tenants are now protected from Coronavirus/COVID-19 financial impacts after the Stockton City Council adopted a sweeping urgency ordinance eviction moratorium.  Further, the eviction moratorium provides automatic protections to elderly and disabled tenants.  Already in effect, the Stockton Coronavirus/COVID-19 eviction moratorium, officially called the COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium Ordinance, protects thousands of Stockton tenants.

What Tenants Does the Stockton COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium Ordinance Protect?

The Stockton COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium Ordinance protects tenants who:

  1. Are over the age of 65;
  2. Have a compromised immune system, heart disease, diabetes, or other serious and chronic medical condition that affects the respiratory system; or,
  3. Due to the Coronavirus/COVID-19, and related government emergency measures, have suffered a substantial loss of income and cannot pay rent.

Does the Stockton COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium Ordinance Apply to Mobilehomes?

Yes, the Stockton Eviction Moratorium Ordinance applies to mobilehome tenants and owners.

How Do Tenants Impacted by the Coronavirus/COVID-19 Qualify for the Stockton COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium Ordinance?

Tenants who are not over the age of 65 or disabled, as defined above, may still qualify for the Stockton COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium Ordinance.  To qualify for the Stockton COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium Ordinance, Stockton tenants must:

  1. Demonstrate that the Coronavirus/COVID-19 has impacted them;
  2. Provide, in writing, to their landlord a notice of inability to pay rent due to Coronavirus/COVID-19 impact, with supporting documentation or other proof.

What Coronavirus/COVID-19 Impacts are Covered Under the Stockton COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium Ordinance?

Under the Stockton COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium Ordinance, impacts include:

  1. Job loss;
  2. A reduction of compensated work hours;
  3. Employer’s business closure;
  4. Missing work due to a minor child’s school closure; or,
  5. Other similarly-caused reasons resulting in a loss of income related to Coronavirus/COVID-19.

What Documents Can Stockton Tenants Provide Landlords to Qualify for the Stockton COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium Ordinance?

Supporting documentation includes, paycheck stubs, a letter from an employer citing the Coronavirus/COVID-19 as the reason for termination, layoff, job closure, or reduced work hours, a letter from a school declaring school closure related to the Coronavirus/COVID-19.

Additionally, elderly tenants may provide a driver’s licenses or other identification that indicates their age.

Disabled tenants may provide a medical letter from a healthcare professional.

What Types of Evictions Does the Stockton COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium Ordinance Prohibit?

The Stockton COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium Ordinance prohibits Stockton landlords from evicting Stockton tenants for non-payment of rent.  The Stockton COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium Ordinance requires the landlord to demonstrate that the termination of tenancy is for a cause other than the non-payment of rent.

A landlord’s failure to comply with the Stockton COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium Ordinance is an affirmative defense in an unlawful detainer (eviction) action.

How Long Will the Stockton COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium Ordinance Remain in Effect?

The Stockton COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium Ordinance will remain in effect for two months after becoming effective, or through mid-April 2020.

What Other California Cities Are Passing Coronavirus/COVID-19 Eviction Moratoriums?

Stockton joins numerous other California cities that have, or will soon pass, Coronavirus/COVID-19 eviction moratoriums, including San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, San Jose, Santa Monica, Culver City, Sacramento, and Los Angeles.

Click here to read the unabridged Stockton COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium Ordinance.

If you are a Stockton tenant with questions about your rights under the Stockton COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium Ordinance or have questions about California Rent Control (AB 1482), contact Astanehe Law to speak with a tenant attorney.