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Effective immediately, California tenants are protected from evictions related to Coronavirus/COVID-19 income disruptions.  Until at least May 31, 2020, California landlords cannot evict a tenant for non-payment of rent due to financial disruption related to Coronavirus/COVID-19. To qualify for eviction protections, California tenants must:
  1. Be current on the rent due before March 27, 2020;
  2. Demonstrate that the Coronavirus/COVID-19 has impacted them;
  3. Within seven days after the rent comes due, provide the landlord written notice of inability to pay rent due to the Coronavirus/COVID-19 impact, with supporting documentation.
Under the California Coronavirus/COVID-19 eviction moratorium, impacts include:
  1. Contracting or suspected of contracting Coronavirus/COVID-19;
  2. Caring for a household or family member who has contracted or was suspected of contracting Coronavirus/COVID-19;
  3. Income disruption via layoff, wage or hour reduction, business closure, or other income reduction resulting from Coronavirus/COVID-19, the state of emergency, or a government response; or,
  4. The tenant missed work to care for a child whose school was closed in response to Coronavirus/COVID-19.
Supporting documentation includes, termination notices, payroll checks, pay stubs, bank statements, medical bills, or signed letters or statements from an employer or supervisor explaining the tenant’s changed financial circumstances, to support the tenant’s assertion of an inability to pay. Although California tenants must pay any deferred rent, the California Coronavirus/COVID-19 eviction moratorium does not specify a timeframe for repayment.  Since landlords cannot file an unlawful detainer (eviction) lawsuit to recover any deferred rent, California tenants and landlords are advised to work out a payment plan that is fair to tenants during this time of crisis. The California Coronavirus/COVID-19 eviction moratorium shall remain in effect until at least May 31, 2020. Click here to read the unabridged California Coronavirus/COVID-19 eviction moratorium. If you are a California tenant with questions about your rights under the statewide Coronavirus/COVID-19 eviction moratorium or have questions about California Rent Control (AB 1482), contact Astanehe Law to speak with a tenant attorney.