Can’t pay June 1 rent? Davis first city in region to extend eviction ban for all renters

Renters and commercial tenants in Davis can delay their June 1 rent payments if they’ve been adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic, city officials announced Wednesday morning.

It’s the first city in the Sacramento region to extend eviction ban protections, that began in the early weeks of the pandemic, into summer for all tenants.

In March, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order banning landlords from evicting their residential tenants if they have been affected by the coronavirus. That order is set to expire May 31.

“This is a small step we can take that will make a large difference for those who need this protection,” Mayor Brett Lee said in a statement.

The city of Sacramento’s local eviction moratorium for residential and commercial renters also expires May 31, meaning tenants must pay their June rent on time or risk eviction.

Though the city is not considering extending its local moratorium this month, Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg said during Tuesday’s City Council meeting that he believes Newsom will likely extend his executive order on renter protections.

In the Sacramento region, local eviction moratoriums that were passed in Rancho Cordova, Elk Grove, West Sacramento and Sacramento County are all set to expire May 31.

To be covered by Davis’ local eviction ban, tenants have to provide notice and proof to landlords about lost income or financial impact stemming from the coronavirus.

Tenants must pay any amount of rent they can afford, and must pay back the unpaid rent within six months of the end of the local emergency declaration.

As part of Wednesday’s announcement, the city of Davis will continue to waive new city utility bill late fees for residential and commercial customers through June.