On June 28, 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation that expanded on the COVID-19 Tenant Relief Act. Under the new law, tenants that owe rent accumulated from September 1, 2020 are protected from eviction through September 30, 2021, provided that the primary cause was financial hardship due to COVID-19.
Renters must be at or below 80% of the Area Median Income of their respective county to qualify. In order to apply, they must submit a completed declaration of COVID-19 hardship, as well as proof of lost wages and an attempt to receive unemployment benefits. If you submit a declaration, 25% of the past due rent must be paid before September 30, 2021 for the eviction protections to apply.
Owners of rental properties may also apply on behalf of tenants that qualify. Under the new law, rental owners will receive 100% of past rent owed by qualifying tenants, and starting October 1, 2021, they must verify that they attempted to receive assistance through the program before proceeding with an eviction.
Renters and landlords can access the application online at www.housing.ca.gov/covid_rr/ .