2025-03-19
In California, there's currently a tough situation for some renters. People who fall behind on their rent and then manage to find the money they owe can still be evicted from their homes.
This issue has brought attention to a new proposal in the state's government aiming to make changes to protect tenants in such situations.
For instance, take Bradford Berger's story. Bradford and his wife, facing health challenges and living in San Francisco, were about to be evicted from their home of 15 years despite a local charity stepping in to pay their overdue rent. Their struggle isn't unique, as lawyers helping tenants have noticed more of such cases.
The heart of the problem is a California law that lets landlords evict tenants for not paying their rent on time, no matter if the tenants can eventually come up with the money. Those advocating for renters argue this undermines efforts by local governments and charity groups to prevent homelessness by offering rent assistance.
These advocates support a bill that would prevent landlords from proceeding with evictions if tenants can pay their overdue rent at any point before being evicted or if they've been approved for rental assistance.
On the other side, landlords, represented by the California Apartment Association, argue that the new law isn't needed. They say tenants already have ways to deal with financial troubles and avoid eviction.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, evictions for nonpayment dropped significantly due to special protections for tenants facing financial difficulties due to the pandemic. However, with those protections gone, evictions, especially in Los Angeles and other areas, have surged.
One of the challenges in addressing this problem is the lack of clear data on how often landlords refuse rent payments or proceed with evictions despite tenants' ability to pay, mainly because eviction records are not publicly accessible, and many negotiations occur privately.
Cities and counties have tried to help by expanding rental assistance programs. But even when help is available, it often doesn't arrive in time due to slow processes. In California, tenants have just three business days to respond to an eviction notice, which is a tight timeframe, especially for those undergoing hardships like job loss or medical emergencies.
The proposed bill in question seeks to stop evictions for nonpayment if tenants can pay their back rent or show they've been approved for sufficient rental assistance any time before they're actually evicted.
The bill's supporters argue that tenants should be given the same opportunity to resolve their debts as property owners, who generally have more time to catch up on mortgage or utility bills before facing serious consequences.
The debate over this proposal highlights the larger issue of how best to protect tenants from eviction while also considering landlords' needs. As both sides of the argument present their views, the challenge remains. A solution must find a balance that primarily supports maintaining housing stability for tenants facing temporary financial troubles.
Check out: What to Do When Facing Eviction: Helpful Tips and Solutions
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Previous article: New Mexico First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Programs
California Proposes New Bill to Protect Renters from Eviction Amid Financial Hardship
In California, there's currently a tough situation for some renters. People who fall behind on their rent and then manage to find the money they owe can still be evicted from their homes.
This issue has brought attention to a new proposal in the state's government aiming to make changes to protect tenants in such situations.
For instance, take Bradford Berger's story. Bradford and his wife, facing health challenges and living in San Francisco, were about to be evicted from their home of 15 years despite a local charity stepping in to pay their overdue rent. Their struggle isn't unique, as lawyers helping tenants have noticed more of such cases.
The heart of the problem is a California law that lets landlords evict tenants for not paying their rent on time, no matter if the tenants can eventually come up with the money. Those advocating for renters argue this undermines efforts by local governments and charity groups to prevent homelessness by offering rent assistance.
These advocates support a bill that would prevent landlords from proceeding with evictions if tenants can pay their overdue rent at any point before being evicted or if they've been approved for rental assistance.
On the other side, landlords, represented by the California Apartment Association, argue that the new law isn't needed. They say tenants already have ways to deal with financial troubles and avoid eviction.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, evictions for nonpayment dropped significantly due to special protections for tenants facing financial difficulties due to the pandemic. However, with those protections gone, evictions, especially in Los Angeles and other areas, have surged.
One of the challenges in addressing this problem is the lack of clear data on how often landlords refuse rent payments or proceed with evictions despite tenants' ability to pay, mainly because eviction records are not publicly accessible, and many negotiations occur privately.
Cities and counties have tried to help by expanding rental assistance programs. But even when help is available, it often doesn't arrive in time due to slow processes. In California, tenants have just three business days to respond to an eviction notice, which is a tight timeframe, especially for those undergoing hardships like job loss or medical emergencies.
The proposed bill in question seeks to stop evictions for nonpayment if tenants can pay their back rent or show they've been approved for sufficient rental assistance any time before they're actually evicted.
The bill's supporters argue that tenants should be given the same opportunity to resolve their debts as property owners, who generally have more time to catch up on mortgage or utility bills before facing serious consequences.
The debate over this proposal highlights the larger issue of how best to protect tenants from eviction while also considering landlords' needs. As both sides of the argument present their views, the challenge remains. A solution must find a balance that primarily supports maintaining housing stability for tenants facing temporary financial troubles.
Check out: What to Do When Facing Eviction: Helpful Tips and Solutions
-
Previous article: New Mexico First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Programs
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