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COVID-19 Renters Protection Ends January 31, 2023

COVID-19 Renters Protection Ends January 31, 2023

As the COVID-19 pandemic impacts communities across the country, many renters have faced financial challenges that have made it difficult to pay their rent. To help alleviate this burden, the California government enacted a temporary eviction moratorium that protected eligible renters from being evicted for non-payment of rent.

However, this protection is set to expire on January 31, 2023. Renters and landlords must understand what this means and what options are available when the moratorium ends.

What is LA County’s Renter Protection Program?

In 2020, many people lost their jobs or had their hours reduced due to the sudden outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Realizing that some people could not pay rent and potentially face eviction, Los Angeles County passed Assembly Bill 3088, halting eviction for nonpayment of rent during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The following year, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 91 to extend this protection until 2023.

In addition to halting evictions, renters had the option to fill out the Declaration of Financial Distress form to temporarily waive their rent payments or obtain financial assistance. Eligible renters were provided a grant by the LA County renters protection program, which was paid directly to the landlord on behalf of the renter.

The grant, dependent on household size and income, ensured that renters who lost jobs or income during the pandemic were able to pay their rent and avoid eviction.

Renters who were ineligible for this grant but unable to pay their rent were also legally protected from eviction. However, they are considered in debt for their unpaid rent.

What Happens When the Program Ends?

The LA County renters’ protection program ends on January 31, 2023. Beginning February 1, all renters must pay rent in full, and landlords are permitted to evict for nonpayment of rent. Landlords have the right to file against tenants in small claims court for unpaid rent.

Renters who owe unpaid rent have additional time to pay back the debt. If you did not pay rent between March 2020 and September 30, 2021, you have until August 1, 2023, to cover this rent. If you did not pay between October 1, 2021, and January 31, 2023, you have until February 1, 2024.

What Should You Know About Your Rights After the Program Ends?

After the LA County renters protection program ends, landlords and tenants need to understand their rights and options when it comes to paying rent and possible evictions.

Tenant Rights

Your rights as a renter after the program ends include standard eviction protections, such as the right to a 3, 30, 60, or 90-day notice and the right to contest an eviction. Additional rights include:

The right to access the premises. Landlords cannot change locks, remove windows or doors, or cut off your utilities to make you move from the property.
The right to file a complaint. If your landlord harasses you or takes illegal action, you can file a complaint or take them to small claims court. You can report to renters’ organizations, local government authorities, and the California Public Health Department.
The right to be free of retaliation. Your landlord cannot retaliate against you for filing a complaint or lawsuit, for example, by raising your rent. You Have 180-day protection from when you file a complaint if you follow your rental agreement and pay rent.

Landlords cannot evict tenants for illegal reasons, such as discrimination based on race, religion, or national origin. If a tenant believes they have been wrongly evicted, they may have legal remedies available to them.

Landlord Rights

Following the end of the renter protection program, landlords will have many rights restored regarding rent collection and eviction. Landlord protections include the following:

  • The right to evict due to nonpayment of rent. Post-moratorium, landlords will have the right to begin eviction due to non-payment of rent per standard landlord-tenant law in California. They may start the unlawful detainer process with a Notice to Pay Rent or Quit once all protections that give tenants three business days to pay.
  • The right to evict based on breach of lease terms. Landlords have the right to start the eviction process if a tenant breaches the terms of their lease. For example, if a tenant has too many people living in the property or owns a pet not allowed per the rental agreement.

Following the end of the renter’s protection program, it’s essential for landlords to understand their rights and continued deadlines related to past-due rent. If you are a landlord, working with an eviction attorney for landlords in Los Angeles County can help you ensure that you are within your rights and that you follow all updated procedures per reinstated eviction guidelines.

Tenants facing eviction have the right to defend themselves in court and present any evidence or arguments as to why they should not be evicted. If the judge rules in favor of the landlord, the tenant will be ordered to vacate the rental unit. If the tenant does not comply with the court order, the landlord can request that the sheriff physically remove the tenant from the property.

For landlords, the restoration of pre-covid eviction procedures provides protection against tenants who don’t pay rent or violate their lease terms. If you own rental property in California, contact a landlord attorney to explain your rights and represent your interests in landlord-tenant disputes.

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