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Do I Have To Tell My Landlord That I Can’t Pay Rent?

  • Published: February 26, 2021
Do I Have To Tell My Landlord That I Can’t Pay Rent

Millions of Americans have suffered physical, mental, and economic hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you have lost your job and cannot pay your rent, there are legal protections against your eviction. When the Coronavirus spiked in March of last year, the rate of homelessness increased as well. In response to the deepening crisis, California issued an eviction moratorium that was to last through February of 2021. Governor Newsom recently signed a new piece of legislation that extends the moratorium on evictions through the summer of this year.

In accordance with the moratorium, California courts will not issue a summons for eviction purely for non-payment of rent if you have a COVID-19 related hardship. If your landlord has threatened you with such a move, then you should immediately contact a LA County real estate attorney. A real estate attorney in LA County will help you protect your rights under the moratorium ban. More importantly, they will save you from being thrown out of your apartment, condo or home.

You are required by the moratorium order to notify your landlord if you are unable to pay rent within a certain amount of time of when your rent is due. In the notice, you should state the reasons why COVID-19 has made it impossible for you to pay your rent. A LA County temporary eviction attorney can help you draft this notice.

Your landlord must submit to your request. They are not allowed to threaten you, demand that you pay rent, call immigration on you, or forcibly enter your home and remove your belongings. Nor can your landlord evict you if you have tested positive for COVID-19. If you get a new job and find yourself in a better financial position, your landlord must allow you to negotiate a repayment plan that is fair and reasonable.

If your landlord is pressuring you, then you should contact a LA County eviction lawyer at the Katje Law Group.

September Katje, Esq.

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Ms. Katje earned her Juris Doctorate at California Western School of Law, San Diego, California, graduated Cum Laude and was a Dean’s Honor List recipient. She was also a recipient of the American Jurisprudence Award in Contracts I and Contracts II. Ms. Katje was a member of the Law Review and International Law Journal at California Western School Law, where she was an Associate Editor.



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