Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Here's What California's New Eviction Protections Mean For Renters
A Mariacchi band performs during a protest to cancel rent and avoid evictions amid the coronavirus pandemic, August 21, 2020, in Los Angeles. (Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images)
()
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
A law designed to stop a wave of evictions was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom late last night. After drawing two-thirds support in the legislature, it became law of the land as soon as the governor signed it -- but the situation will continue to change rapidly for tenants.
The new law protects tenants from being evicted for failing to pay rent between March and August of this year. Tenants need to sign paperwork declaring they haven't been able to pay due to COVID-19, and higher-income tenants may need to provide proof of their financial losses.
Going forward, tenants will need to pay 25% of their monthly rent; eventually they will be on the hook for the entire rent bill. (If tenants pay that 25%, the remaining balance will convert to civil debt and may not be used as grounds for an eviction.)
Support for LAist comes from
By Feb. 1, 2021, tenants will need to pay their full monthly rent to avoid eviction.
"COVID-19 has impacted everyone in California, but some bear much more of the burden than others -- especially tenants struggling to stitch together the monthly rent -- and they deserve protection from eviction," Gov. Newsom said shortly after signing the bill.
DON'T MISS ANY L.A. CORONAVIRUS NEWS
Get our daily newsletters for the latest on COVID-19 and other top local headlines.
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
A COMPROMISE WITH PUSHBACK
Support for LAist comes from
The bill, AB 3088, was a compromise measure, scaled down from earlier and more ambitious proposals to keep tenants in their homes and compensate landlords for their losses. Lawmakers see it as a stopgap and have pledged to revisit the bill early next year.
"This gives us the time to reconsider our options next legislative session and potentially work with a new federal administration on economic relief for struggling tenants and property owners," said San Francisco Assemblymember David Chiu, a key proponent of the law.
Under the new law, courts won't process eviction cases based on non-payment of rent until Oct. 5. However, other types of evictions can now move forward, and sheriff's departments could soon be locking out tenants across the state.
The measure grandfathers in eviction moratoriums enacted by states and cities.
The bill attracted criticism from tenant groups like the statewide Tenants Together, who say it doesn't go far enough.
#AB3088 cleared the State Senate, 33-2-5. It will likely pass the Assembly.
— Tenants Together (@TenantsTogether) August 31, 2020
True facts: this bill is not CLOSE to enough to stop an eviction avalanche. It only slows its roll.
Once again, @GavinNewsom and the state legislature have put the burden on us to fight for ourselves.
Most tenants lack legal representation. For them, the bill's complicated, legalistic provisions could prove difficult to employ when they receive an eviction notice.
Support for LAist comes from
The bill was backed by the California Apartment Association, but was blasted by Dan Yukelson of the Apartment Association of Greater Los Angeles. The law, he wrote in an editorial yesterday, is "merely another knee-jerk attempt to stabilize housing on the backs of rental property owners."
Despite the misgivings of several lawmakers, the fears of an eviction tsunami helped rally two-thirds support on a chaotic final day in the legislature. Hours before the state senate took up the bill, UCLA and USC researchers published a report estimating that nearly 100,000 households in Los Angeles County have been threatened with eviction.
Another 40,000 households are already in eviction proceedings, the researchers said.
RELATED NEWS
CIty Of Los Angeles Commits $10 Million To Protect Renters From Eviction
MORE OF AARON MENDELSON'S REPORTING:
- Deceit, Disrepair and Death Inside a Southern California Rental Empire
- When 'Safer At Home' Comes At A Risk. Health Hazards Lurk For Some Low-Income Renters
- Chronically Ill And Facing Eviction During A Pandemic
- LAist Reader Pledges To Pay Rent Of Mother Facing Eviction
- Read The Letters SoCal Landlords Are Sending As Rent Comes Due In This Pandemic
- Landlord Demands '100%' Of Stimulus Money For Back Rent; Later Says It's Misunderstanding
WE LOVE TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance. -
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
Best of LAist