A moratorium on certain evictions for residential tenants and certain residential rent increases have been extended in Contra Costa County through Jan. 31, 2021.
The urgency ordinance was unanimously passed by the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday due to ongoing financial hardships related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This law, which applies to properties in all 19 cities in the County and in all unincorporated areas, prevents property owners from evicting residential tenants for any “no-fault” reason except to protect the health and safety of the owner or another tenant, to allow the owner or their immediate family to move into the residential unit or to remove the unit from the rental market.
Renters also cannot be evicted for housing an unauthorized family member needing housing as the result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A property owner also may not increase rent through Jan. 31, the ordinance states. State law prevents such a freeze for commercial tenancies, single family homes or residences built within the last 15 years.
“The urgency ordinance demonstrates the Board’s continued commitment to protect residents struggling with the unexpected economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Supervisor Candace Andersen, Board Chair.
The ordinance follows passage of California Assembly Bill 3088 on Aug. 31, known as the Tenant, Homeowner, and Small Landlord Relief and Stabilization Act of 2020. The bill enables COVID-19-impacted renters to pay 25 percent of their rent from Sept. 1 to Jan.31, 2021, with any back rent required to be paid by Feb. 1.
