Legal Update: AB2179

While it may feel like the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent legal changes are over, this hasn’t held true when it comes to rental properties.

In light of the pandemic, AB832 prevented landlords from filing evictions in certain circumstances. Because AB832 was in direct response to the pandemic, and housing-related difficulties as a direct result of the pandemic, it was set to expire on March 31, 2022.

California also passed the Tenant Relief Act in September of 2020 which was set to expire on March 31, 2022. AB 2179 extended these protections until June 30, 2022. This allows tenants to stay in their homes longer, and extends the same parameters dictated by AB832. These protections are extended now until June 30, 2022, and covers any rent that was due during the specified time frame.

Other key changes include discontinuing the acceptance of rental assistance applications, starting on the first of April. If an individual has a pending application, it will not cover rent that becomes due on, or after, April 1, 2022. This means that landlords no longer are required to apply for rental payment assistance on a tenant’s behalf prior to evicting a tenant for nonpayment of rent.

In the case of evictions due to nonpayment of rent prior to April 1, 2022, landlords are required to apply for emergency rental assistance on their tenant’s behalf. If the tenant and landlord have both not submitted an application for rental assistance, the protections do not apply to the tenant.

To learn more about COVID-19 eviction laws in California, you can visit the Southern California Rental Housing Association, here.  You can also view information about COVID-19 related laws by visiting the C.A.R. website, here. Changes to laws or guidelines can occur at any time. Local, state and federal laws in an effort to ensure you are compliant, we suggest reaching out to a legal professional.