UPDATED MARCH 27

California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order Friday, March 27, banning the enforcement of eviction orders for renters affected by COVID-19 through May 31, 2020. 
Under the terms of the resolution approved by the Redlands City Council on Thursday, the governor’s action suspends that resolution which established a moratorium on residential and commercial evictions.
The Governor’s executive order prohibits landlords from evicting tenants for nonpayment of rent and prohibits enforcement of evictions by law enforcement or courts. It also requires tenants to declare in writing, no more than seven days after the rent comes due, that the tenant cannot pay all or part of their rent due to COVID-19. For more information on the governor’s executive order, visit https://www.gov.ca.gov/2020/03/27/governor-newsom-takes-executive-action-to-establish-a-statewide-moratorium-on-evictions/

UPDATED MARCH 26

The Redlands City Council voted unanimously Thursday, March 26, to approve an ordinance placing a moratorium on residential and commercial evictions for failure to pay rent. The moratorium will be in effect through May 31, 2020, in keeping with Gov. Gavin Newsom’s executive order.

Under the ordinance, no landlord shall evict a tenant for nonpayment of rent if the tenant demonstrates that the tenant is unable to pay rent due to financial impacts related to COVID-19. Tenants must provide written notice to the landlord within 30 days after the rent is due.

Financial impacts include contracting COVID-19 or caring for a family member who has contracted the virus; lay-off, loss of hours or reduction of income from 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 due to COVID-19; or child care needs arising from school closures related to COVID-19.

The ordinance does not relieve the tenant from eventually paying rent. The landlord may not charge a late fee on the rent.

The full text of the ordinance is available on the City of Redlands website at https://destinyhosted.com/redladocs/2020/CC/20200326_215/2617_2908_Temporary_Moratorium_on_Evictions_COVID-19.pdf