What is the COVID-19 Tenant Relief Act of 2020 (Tenant Relief Act)?
The Tenant Relief Act is a statewide law that imposes a temporary moratorium between March 1, 2020 and January 31, 2021 on evictions of qualifying residential tenants for failure to pay rent because of financial distress related to COVID-19.
Resources for Renters
A new emergency ordinance temporarily halts evictions for residential and commercial tenants affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, as part of a comprehensive rental relief package unanimously approved by the Long Beach City Council. The emergency ordinance was enacted to provide relief to those who are most vulnerable to eviction and possible homelessness during this difficult time. The emergency ordinance is retroactive to March 4, 2020, when Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a State of Emergency to address the COVID-19 outbreak in California.
If a tenant is unable to pay rent between March 4 and May 31, 2020, due to a reduction in income caused by COVID-19, they must notify their landlords that rent will not be paid on time. Tenants are then required to provide documentation of substantial income losses caused by job layoffs, out-of-pocket medical expenses or requirements to stay at home due to COVID-19. Protected tenants have until Nov. 30 to pay all delayed rent to their landlords without incurring late charges.
Through May 31, landlords issuing notifications for rental nonpayment notifications must include information about the City’s emergency ordinance so that tenants are aware of their rights.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Tenant Legal Support
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles seeks to achieve equal justice for people living in poverty across Greater Los Angeles. We change lives through direct representation, systems change, and community education. At our self-help legal access centers, we can help anyone of any income level. We have four self-help centers: Torrance, Inglewood, Long Beach and Santa Monica.
Long Beach's New Covid-19 Tenant Protections
If you are a tenant who has been impacted by COVID-19 (reduced wages or income, loss of work, increased medical costs) and are unable to pay all or part of your rent, you have new protections and obligations that can protect you from eviction:
- These new portections are retroactive to March 4, 2020 and last through May 31, 2020.
- If you are unable to pay some or all of your rent, you must notify the landlord before the expiration of your 3 Day notice with the following:
- You have had a substantial reduction in income and /or increase in medical costs; AND
- You must also send your landlord supporting documentation of your decrease in income and/or increase in medical costs.
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LiBRE supports resident-led base building with a focus on code enforcement/habitability, housing production and preservation, and the development of an intersectional housing justice coalition.
