Eviction Moratorium for Santa Monica Tenants Affected by Coronavirus
Effective March 14, 2020, Santa Monica tenants affected by the Coronavirus are protected from eviction. The emergency proclamation, already in effect, places a temporary moratorium on evictions for non-payment of rent by Santa Monica tenants impacted by COVID-19. During the state of emergency declared in response to Coronavirus, Santa Monica landlords cannot evict a tenant for nonpayment of rent due to financial disruption related to Coronavirus include:
- Contracting Coronavirus;
- Caring for a household or family member who has contracted Coronavirus;
- Income disruption via layoff, wage or hour reduction, business closure, or other income reduction resulting from COVID-19;
- Complying with a government or health authority order to stay home, self-quarantine, or other similar order;
- Extraordinary out-of-pocket medical expenses; or,
- Child care needs arising from school closure due to Coronavirus.
Additionally, water service shut-offs are temporarily suspended for Santa Monica tenants.
How Do Santa Monica Tenants Gain Coronavirus Eviction Moratorium Protection?
Under the emergency proclamation, a Santa Monica tenant must notify in writing their landlord of their inability to pay rent due to a Coronavirus related impact within 30 days after the rent is due. Further, the tenant must provide documentation to support their claim.
Examples of supporting documentation include pay stubs, time cards, proof of medical care or quarantine, notes from employers, schools, or doctors citing the Coronavirus, or medical bills.
Santa Monica landlords cannot charge a late fee for rent delayed under the Santa Monica Coronavirus eviction moratorium.
What Other California Cities Are Passing Coronavirus Eviction Moratoriums?
San Francisco’s Coronavirus eviction moratorium is also already effective.
San Jose recently passed a Coronavirus eviction moratorium. It will take effect within the next two weeks and will last for at least thirty days.
Government officials in Oakland and Los Angeles are also calling for a Coronavirus eviction moratorium.
Further, a statewide Coronavirus eviction moratorium may soon be introduced.
If you are a Santa Monica tenant with questions about your rights under the likely prospective Santa Monica Coronavirus eviction moratorium or have questions about the Santa Monica Rent Ordinance, California Rent Control (AB 1482), contact Astanehe Law to speak with a tenant attorney.
