East Palo Alto tenants are protected from evictions related to Coronavirus/COVID-19 income disruptions. During the Coronavirus/COVID-19 state of emergency, East Palo Alto landlords shall not endeavor to evict a tenant unable to pay rent due to the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic, or a government response to the Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic.  Further, the East Palo Alto Coronavirus/COVID-19 eviction moratorium prohibits no-fault termination of tenancies, unless where necessary for the health and safety of the tenant, other residents, the landlord, or the landlord’s family.

To qualify for eviction protections, East Palo Alto tenants must:

  1. Demonstrate that the Coronavirus/COVID-19 or a government emergency response measure has impacted their household or business income;
  2. When rent is due, provide the landlord with written notice of inability to pay rent due to the Coronavirus/COVID-19 impact, with supporting documentation.

Under the East Palo Alto Coronavirus/COVID-19 eviction moratorium, impacts include:

  1. Contracting Coronavirus/COVID-19;
  2. Caring for a household or family member who has contracted Coronavirus/COVID-19;
  3. Income disruption via layoff, wage or hour reduction, work closure, business closure, or other income reduction resulting from Coronavirus/COVID-19;
  4. Complying with a government or health authority order to stay home, shelter-in-place, self-quarantine, or other similar order;
  5. Substantial out-of-pocket medical expenses;
  6. Child care needs arising from school closure due to Coronavirus/COVID-19; or,
  7. Other substantial financial hardship caused by the Coronavirus/COVID-19 or a governmental response to the pandemic directly.

Supporting documentation likely includes, paystubs, time cards, proof of out-of-pocket medical expenses related to Coronavirus/COVID-19, proof of medical care or quarantine, employer or school notes, or doctors citing the Coronavirus/COVID-19.

The East Palo Alto Coronavirus/COVID-19 eviction moratorium includes subtenants.

Although East Palo Alto tenants must eventually pay the deferred rent, landlords may not charge a late fee for rent delayed under the East Palo Alto Coronavirus/COVID-19 eviction moratorium.  East Palo Alto tenants have 180 days months following the expiration of the East Palo Alto Coronavirus/COVID-19 eviction moratorium to pay any deferred rent.

The East Palo Alto Coronavirus/COVID-19 eviction & rent increase moratorium shall remain in effect until the termination of the Coronavirus/COVID-19 state of emergency.

East Palo Alto 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, 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, Concord, Albany, and Los Angeles.

Click here to read the unabridged East Palo Alto Coronavirus/COVID-19 Eviction Moratorium.

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