California Gov. Newsom declares statewide moratorium on evictions for renters hit by coronavirus

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has placed a ban on the enforcement of evictions for renters affected by COVID-19, enacting a state-wide moratorium Friday.

Under this rule, landlords cannot evict nonpaying tenants in the state if they are affected by the coronavirus pandemic by prohibiting “enforcement of evictions by law enforcement or courts,” according to an official statement.

The order will remain in effect through May 31, with a notification that tenants must declare a notice in writing to landlords if they cannot pay rent due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Orders are active immediately and will provide instant relief for tenants with rent due April 1.

Tenants must provide their statement to landlords no more than seven days after rent is due, and are obligated to repay full rent in a “timely manner,” according to the statement.

If tenants fail to repay rent costs during the moratorium, landlords will maintain the jurisdiction to evict after the enforcement is lifted.

The governor’s directive comes after some cities in the state, including San Jose, San Fransisco and Los Angeles, already imposed their own moratoriums on evictions.

Seattle, Boston and other cities have enacted similar measures since the outbreak of COVID-19 began affecting people’s incomes and causing massive unemployment rates.

States such as New York, Massachusetts and Kentucky have also temporarily halted some or all eviction proceedings at this time.