Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

listen live donate
listen live donate
listen live
donate
  • News
    • News

    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
    News
    • News

    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • Music

    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic

    • Daily Playlist
    Music
    • Music

    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic

    • Daily Playlist
  • Podcasts & Shows
  • Schedules
  • Events
  • Support
    • Support
    • Ways to support
    • Evergreen Donation
    • One-Time Donation
    • Corporate Sponsorship
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Giving
    • Legacy Giving
    • Endowment Support
    • Members
    • Member Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • Member Newsletter

    • Fund drives
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
    Support
    • Support
    • Ways to support
    • Evergreen Donation
    • One-Time Donation
    • Corporate Sponsorship
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Giving
    • Legacy Giving
    • Endowment Support
    • Members
    • Member Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • Member Newsletter

    • Fund drives
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 

Eviction Warnings Cause Fear, Confusion For California Renters Amid COVID-19

  •  Chris Nichols 
Monday, April 27, 2020 | Sacramento, CA
Andrew Nixon / CapRadio
 

Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

Despite California’s freeze on most evictions during the COVID-19 crisis, some landlords are sending legal notices saying they’ll start the eviction process unless the tenant pays up within 72 hours — or moves out. 

Landlords cannot currently ask courts to physically remove tenants who do not pay their rent on time, but tenant advocates say these warnings — formally called a “three-day notice to pay rent or quit” — are both legal and jarring. 

“It’s still very frightening to most tenants to get this notice,” said Sarah Steinheimer, regional counsel with Legal Services of Northern California, which serves low-income residents. “It’s telling them, ‘If you don’t do one of these two things, we will start legal action against you.’"

On April 6, the Judicial Council of California, the policy making body of the state’s courts, suspended most eviction and foreclosure proceedings statewide until 90 days after the coronavirus state of emergency is lifted. 

Its ruling, however, allowed landlords to start the eviction process for tenants who fail to pay rent. 

“As a result, tenants may get notices, they may get legal papers, or they may get things that look like legal papers,” said Brian Augusta, legislative advocate with the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation, which helps low-income residents. “Our field offices are continuing to hear from tenants who are concerned about what all this means for them and what they should do if they can’t pay the rent.” 

While some landlords have worked out payment plans with renters, Augusta noted that tenants are obligated to eventually pay up. 

“At some point, when all of this crisis is lifted, that rent is still owed,” he said.

Dozens of local governments in California have passed renter-relief laws. Last month, the city of Sacramento approved its emergency ordinance, which stops property owners from evicting residential tenants but requires renters to pay overdue rent back to landlords within 120 days of lifting the emergency.

A spokesperson for the California Apartment Association, which represents thousands of landlords across the state, said the group does not recommend owners send out these warnings, unless absolutely necessary. 

“What we want owners to do is communicate with residents. Express their concern and let residents know that they understand because we’re all in this situation. Make sure that there’s that constant open line of communication,” said spokesperson Debra Carlton. “I think if you’re not hearing from a resident, maybe that’s where we’re seeing owners serve a three-day notice to residents.” 

Before the eviction freeze is lifted, Augusta said policy makers must find a solution for the many Californians who still won’t be able to pay all of their back rent later this year. 

“Otherwise, at some point in the future,” he said, “we’re going to be right back to this potential threat of an enormous tsunami of evictions.”


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

    More about housing

  • Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio

    Housing

    CapRadio's coverage of California housing issues in the Sacramento region and throughout the state.

    More about Coronavirus

  • NIAID-RML via AP

    Coronavirus In California: Latest Updates And Resources

    The coronavirus has impacted nearly every aspect of life in California and around the world. Here are resources and all our coverage at CapRadio and NPR.

 housingCoronavirus

Chris Nichols

PolitiFact California Reporter

For the past dozen years, Chris Nichols has worked as a government and politics reporter at newspapers across California.  Read Full Bio 

 @christhejourno Email Chris Nichols

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

More Stories

Scott Olson/Getty Images

Videos like the Tyre Nichols footage can be traumatic. An expert shares ways to cope

January 28, 2023

AP Photo / Jae C. Hong

California ends plans for kids’ Covid vaccine mandate

February 1, 2023

Rebecca Gibian / AP Photo

NPR’s Nina Totenberg reflects on her 50-year career in news and friendship with late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

January 30, 2023

Most Viewed

California ends plans for kids’ Covid vaccine mandate

California coronavirus updates: COVID-19 pandemic has shifted people's finances

10 new California laws that go into effect in 2023

Sacramento Council approves armored vehicle for police despite opposition to military equipment purchase

Still testing positive after day 10? How to decide when to end your COVID isolation

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

California ends plans for kids’ Covid vaccine mandate

California coronavirus updates: COVID-19 pandemic has shifted people's finances

10 new California laws that go into effect in 2023

Sacramento Council approves armored vehicle for police despite opposition to military equipment purchase

Still testing positive after day 10? How to decide when to end your COVID isolation

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    •  
      (916) 278-8900
    •  
      (877) 480-5900
    •  Contact / Feedback
    •  Submit a News Tip
  • About

    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Stations & Coverage Map
    • Careers & Internships
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
    • Press
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile Apps
    • Smart Speakers
    • Podcasts & Shows
    • On-Air Schedules
    • Daily Playlist
    • Signal Status
  • Connect

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen Live

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2023, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.