Update: Davis halts evictions against renters financially affected by coronavirus
Davis is temporarily banning evictions against residential and commercial tenants who cannot pay rent because they’ve been financially impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
Under the emergency ordinance approved by Davis City Council on Tuesday, residential and commercial tenants must still pay the portion of the rent they can pay, but will have up to six months after the local emergency declaration ends to pay back the rent. There is currently no end date set for the local emergency declaration.
The halt on evictions comes as California cities and counties race to pass similar emergency laws temporarily banning evictions against tenants financially impacted by COVID-19, the potentially deadly disease caused by the virus that continues to spread locally and worldwide
“As a result of the public health emergency and the precautions recommended by health authorities, many tenants in Davis have experienced or expect soon to experience sudden and unexpected income loss,” the city staff report states.
“Further economic impacts are anticipated in the coming weeks and months, leaving tenants vulnerable to eviction.”
The emergency ordinance would take effect immediately, covering more than 37,000 renters — more than half the population of Davis, according to recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates.
The city of Sacramento approved a similar pause on evictions last week. Sacramento County will consider a regular ordinance on the topic the coming weeks that would take effect May 1. Elk Grove, which rejected a temporary ban on evictions last week, will take up the issue again after community backlash.
As of Tuesday, there were at least 10 positive cases of the novel coronvirus in Yolo County, as well as one death tied to COVID-19.
Tenants covered under Davis’ emergency ordinance would have to prove they had a substantial decrease in income for any of the following:
▪ Being sick with COVID-19, or caring for a household or family member who is sick with COVID-19
▪ Layoff, loss of hours, or other income reduction resulting from business closure or other economic or employer impacts of COVID-19
▪ Compliance with a recommendation from a government health authority to stay home, self-quarantine, or avoid congregating with others during the state of emergency
▪ Extraordinary out-of-pocket medical expenses
▪ Child care needs arising from school closures related to COVID-19
Tenants who wish to be covered by the ordinance must notify their landlords no later than 10 days after rent is due that they won’t be able to pay rent because they’ve been impacted by COVID-19. Tenants must also provide documentation proving the decrease in income within 30 days of the rent due date.
Davis is also waiving new city utility bill late fees for all residential and commercial customers, which will allow people to pay late without penalty through May 2020.
The moves “were necessary to help create a safety net for the many people and businesses affected the by COVID-19 pandemic,” said Davis Mayor Brett Lee in a statement.
“Many people who have served us in Davis shops and restaurants are suddenly unemployed or underemployed and need our help,” said councilman Dan Carson in a statement. “We must all take a compassionate approach in this time of crisis.”
This story has been updated to reflect the approval of the moratorium by Davis City Council Tuesday night.
This story was originally published March 24, 2020 at 2:36 PM.