Beginning October 1, 2021, your landlord must apply for rental assistance before they can try to evict you through the courts for failing to pay your rent.
- Although your landlord may give you a notice to pay or quit” (which is a notice from your landlord that gives you a certain amount of time to pay the outstanding rent you owe or vacate your home) at any time, they will not be able to legally evict you without first applying to the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program.
- If you receive a notice to pay or quit,” it is strongly recommended that you immediately get legal assistance to determine and protect your rights. If your notice to pay or quit” includes a Declaration of COVID-19 related financial distress”—and you have been financially impacted by the pandemic—you should sign and return the declaration to your landlord within 15 business days to bolster your protections.
It is very important that you apply for rental assistance within 15 business days of receiving a pay or quit” notice, or within 15 business days of receiving a notice from the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program that your landlord has started an application on your behalf.
It is also recommended that you notify your landlord once you have applied for rental assistance, as this step can help you in both eviction and rental debt collection lawsuits.
Other Things You Need to Know
- Beginning November 1, 2021, your landlord may sue you for any unpaid rent you owe.
- Until October 1, 2021, a landlord can only evict a tenant if they provide a legally valid reason.
- It is illegal for a landlord to give a tenant a 30- or 60-day eviction notice without a stated reason. This is commonly known as a "no-cause" eviction.
- The stated reason must match one of the valid reasons allowed by the law, a "just cause" eviction.
- Existing local government eviction ordinances may remain in place until they expire, but they may not defer rent obligations beyond May 31, 2023.
- Landlords who do such things as lock tenants out, remove personal property or shut off utility services to evict a tenant—rather than going through the required court process—can face fines of between $1,000 and $2,500. These penalties are in effect until October 1, 2021.
- If you believe you have been unlawfully evicted or if you need legal advice, you should consult with an attorney. If you need low- or no-cost legal help, visit www.lawhelpca.org and/or Tenant Resources for additional resources.
HUD Mortgagee letter 2020-19
Extension of the foreclosure-related eviction moratorium for an additional
period through September 30, 2021, and to remind them of the expiration of
the foreclosure moratorium.
FHFA
Beginning October 1, 2021, your landlord must apply for rental assistance before they can try to evict you through the courts for failing to pay your rent.
- Although your landlord may give you a notice to pay or quit” (which is a notice from your landlord that gives you a certain amount of time to pay the outstanding rent you owe or vacate your home) at any time, they will not be able to legally evict you without first applying to the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program.
- If you receive a notice to pay or quit,” it is strongly recommended that you immediately get legal assistance to determine and protect your rights. If your notice to pay or quit” includes a Declaration of COVID-19 related financial distress”—and you have been financially impacted by the pandemic—you should sign and return the declaration to your landlord within 15 business days to bolster your protections.
It is very important that you apply for rental assistance within 15 business days of receiving a pay or quit” notice, or within 15 business days of receiving a notice from the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program that your landlord has started an application on your behalf.
It is also recommended that you notify your landlord once you have applied for rental assistance, as this step can help you in both eviction and rental debt collection lawsuits.
Other Things You Need to Know
- Beginning November 1, 2021, your landlord may sue you for any unpaid rent you owe.
- Until October 1, 2021, a landlord can only evict a tenant if they provide a legally valid reason.
- It is illegal for a landlord to give a tenant a 30- or 60-day eviction notice without a stated reason. This is commonly known as a "no-cause" eviction.
- The stated reason must match one of the valid reasons allowed by the law, a "just cause" eviction.
- Existing local government eviction ordinances may remain in place until they expire, but they may not defer rent obligations beyond May 31, 2023.
- Landlords who do such things as lock tenants out, remove personal property or shut off utility services to evict a tenant—rather than going through the required court process—can face fines of between $1,000 and $2,500. These penalties are in effect until October 1, 2021.
- If you believe you have been unlawfully evicted or if you need legal advice, you should consult with an attorney. If you need low- or no-cost legal help, visit www.lawhelpca.org and/or Tenant Resources for additional resources.
HUD Mortgagee letter 2020-19
Extension of the foreclosure-related eviction moratorium for an additional
period through September 30, 2021, and to remind them of the expiration of
the foreclosure moratorium.
FHFA
FHFA Extends COVID-19 REO Eviction Moratorium Through September 30, 2021
EXECUTIVE ORDER N-28-20
Nevada
Emergency Directive 025
Emergency Directive 008
Oregon
Oregon's Governor Extends Foreclosure Moratorium Through December 31, 2021
Washington
Emergency proclamation by the Governor amending proclamation 20-05
EXECUTIVE ORDER N-28-20
Nevada
Emergency Directive 025
Emergency Directive 008
Oregon
Oregon's Governor Extends Foreclosure Moratorium Through December 31, 2021
Washington
Emergency proclamation by the Governor amending proclamation 20-05