we have to support...

Here’s to your not getting evicted…

Right to Exist

• Here’s some information attached in this post and a few different ways, I know that I am over lapping a lot of posts on the different mediums that are present and like this is a crazy situation- LA is not a war zone… please don’t let people like my mother say that…. Where was that type of concern and care and support that was just draining my phone battery like whoa and all this drama and finally I was like, if you want negligent homicide it can be yours stop wasting my battery…
• But more importantly stop wasting democracy…
• I am furious-m I cannot believe that I am going through this- not the demonstrations that are taking place all over our country and others- people without freedom of speech are going out into the streets of their countries calling for an end to police brutality and my white mother wants to all of a sudden ask why I need to have covid-19 testing… how stupid.  What else is that besides intent to cause harm?
• You do not and will not do this to people- I will not allow for a life to be de-boarded like a piece of… if a federal issue… you wanna tell me that a package and a fiscal transaction within a stamp is important- wait we’ve established that is it… it’s an extension of me….
• You de-boarded me earlier and for what?  For what?  No no no, okokok hang on wait- you had a person on a route, on their way, get off of a rail, and then into a chaos situation that is like my now coming in hot type situation… I have a heart beat so I’m not technically hot, but I’m not sweating either… and like 30 thousand police cars that just drove by- anything that happens bad- better go on and act as thought here are some emergencies happening
• Can’t fill out a police report, can’t honor the death of a man in handcuffs- miranda…. His last name was miranda…. There are Miranda right’s that you skip over or let slip your mind and wanna act now all- like you flexin on the wrong person.  
• I’m none of your business- clear.  Truth- worry about me and I love you for it.  Show care and concern for me and I love you.  But I have a life, and so do you- and that man’s wind pipe was crushed… do you know had first responders been called that he could still be a live… its so stupidly simple.  Ive sen iot done at the bed side no problem so many times that it took once for me to be like oh ok thats to simple for me to not learn for it- obviously this is now and then and that situations are soooo different with many circumstances and I mean that to say…. A straw for an endotracheal tube with a none sharp non blunt end could have just……
• I could be so wrong in saying this- I haven’t watched the video… I know nothing other then seeing the knee on the throat and then having been in restraints with p[police myself asking for help- screaming for help… thank you to whomever called for me and I cannot allow that to go wasted… it will not happen.  
• Someone called for me, im white.  I have to put that into consideration and into the world- how stupid to not… so please, if ever someone is screaming for help or saying something… if you feel any type of way about it.  Like- a feeling thats outside of normal either good ore bad… please call.  It could just be traumas from your past that has you misguided in what is present day… like, your vocal cords can be unobstructed and you can be trying so hard to scream for help as again I have been that almost nothing comes out… so the fact that he was asking for help saying he couldn’t breath, the officer knew and knows that he should have called for EMS- anytime there is outside of the normal use of effort to detain someone or take control of their person… I can’t advocate for the situation.  Im bias.  
• I do think that police officers know that someones wind pipe can be crushed, they can be vocalizing that they can’t breathe, and could possibly die from those injuries… yes, you can die talking about it the whole time… 
• Other countries are in support and have to be acknowledged outside of this and you and me- but in the world…. I don’t know what happens there with police and altercations… I don’t believe what I see on the tv, but I believe what the people there speak to… so we must show our support for them and they cause as well…. We are one…. One people… one person, one vote, one stamp, one soul… and I will and for ever will be 0.4, and him 0.6… at least…. And kygo and his new album golden hour have started my courage for the summer… be well. 

edn
Ensuring Access to Justice
and protecting the right to healthy housing
for the 70K households that face eviction in Los Angeles County each year.
COVID-19 TENANT SURVIVAL GUIDE
(For California with an LA County Bias1)
Table of Contents
Landlord harassment on the rise – Don’t sign anything!!! 2 Temporary Tenant Protections – Summary 2 Do I have to pay my rent? 3 What if I have the rent or part but I am afraid that later I will not have enough to eat? 3 Do I have to send a letter? 3 Do I have to send my proof with the letter? 4 How do I prove my COVID-19 reason for not paying the rent? 4 Should I rent strike? 4 Should I negotiate with my landlord? 4 Can the landlord file an eviction lawsuit against me? 4 My landlord is harassing me for the full rent; what can I do? 5 I can’t pay my utilities – what can I do? 5
My landlord is threatening to evict me by force or shut off the utilities 7 Can the Sheriff lock me out? 7 Am I protected by the federal “moratorium” on eviction? 7 How can I get legal help? 7 Worker Rights 8 Immigrant Rights 8 Government Benefits 8WHAT TO DO IF .....
What to do if you are being harassed for the rent 9 What to do if the landlord wants more information or evidence 9 What to do if the landlord gives you a 3 day notice to pay or quit 9 What to do if I get a court document 9 What to do if your landlord wants access to your unit 11 What to do if you get a notice to cure or quit 12 What to do if you get a notice to quit 13
DO YOU WANT STRONGER LAWS? Get involved - respond to our action alerts 14 Find the state and local law that protects you! 15 Summary of LA County Protections 18 Summary of LA City Protections 19 What else can I do? 20 Sample letter to the landlord - soft 21 Sample letter to the landlord - strong 22
1 If you live outside of LA County this guide can still be useful to you. When reading please be attentive to when we are talking about Statewide Protections and when we are focused specifically on LA County or a City within LA County

            

If there are so many moratoria why am I getting hassled for the rent? Ø Our elected officials need dictionariesØ The emergency laws don’t give enough protectionØ We need to stop relying on media soundbites Ø Do you know where you live?Ø #CancelRent #CancelMortages #VacancyControl #RightToCounsel #OnEveryFridge

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INTRODUCTION2Landlord Harassment is on the Rise: There are 17 million renters in California and 1,806,213
3
Please take the time to READ (not skim) this document. It will provide you all the information you need to protect yourself. After reading it, if you have questions, send an email to askanattorney@edn.la.
If you have complied with your local COVID-19 Ordinance and are being harassed:
1. Put an autoreply on your landlord’s emails and read them every three days;
2. Block the texting and read the texts once every three days;
3. Put a sign on your door: "This household is protected by the tenant rights movement. Landlord, please do not knock. If I open the door you will be recorded. Put your request in writing so I can take it to my Tenant Union and our Solidarity Lawyer."
Make sure you join a Tenant Union. See page 14.
Temporary Protections - Summary: You are temporarily protected from eviction.

1. The LA County Sheriff is not conducting lock outs.
2. Local laws have COVID-19 defenses to eviction.
3. The Judicial Council issued a Statewide order mid-day 4/6/2020 that the Clerk
   cannot issue an eviction Summons until 90 days after the Governor lifts the State of
   4

If you get any court documents DO NOT file an Answer without consulting a lawyer. Send an email to askanattorney@edn.la.
Your subject line must include: 1) your name, 2) address so that we can check what laws protect you before answering; 3) description of our issue
Re: Perfect I. Tenant. 333 Pleasant Lane LA 90031. 3-day pay or quit
Re: Perfect I. Tenant. 333 Pleasant Lane LA 90031. Got a court document.
2 If you live outside of LA County this guide can still be useful to you. When reading please be attentive to when we are talking about Statewide Protections and when we are focused specifically on LA County or a City within LA County
3 https://www.scag.ca.gov/Documents/LosAngelesCountyLP.pdf
4 If you received a notice from the court for a case filed after April 5, 2020, it was an error and the court will be retracting it. This is a notice that is usually sent out when an eviction is filed. It is confusing to begin with, but the ones that were sent out after April 5, 2020 also incorrectly said that you had 5 days to
file an Answer. As soon as we saw the first defective notice we contacted the court and when they didn’t respond immediately, we issued a press release. Within a few days they corrected the error and promised to alert all tenants that got the incorrect notice. This does, however, mean that your landlord has filed an eviction against you. Your answer is not yet due. Send an email to askanattorney@edn.la for legal assistance.

renter households in Los Angeles County.
rent. Landlord harassment is on the rise. Landlord attorneys are pushing for evictions to be filed. Landlords are coercing tenants to sign agreements. Don’t sign anything without consulting a lawyer. Send an email to askan attorney@edn.la

Emergency.

An estimated 1/3 of tenants did not pay their April 2020

  

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Stay informed by joining the FB group COVID 19 Tenant Rights #OnEveryFridge or emailing info@edn.la for the latest version of this Survival Guide. We update it about once a week.
Do I have to pay my rent? If you have COVID-19 related loss of income or increase in expense that prevents you from paying your rent, you have the option of not paying. The rules vary jurisdiction by jurisdiction. A jurisdiction is a City (e.g. LA City, Pasadena, Culver City).
The parts of LA County that are not incorporated into Cities are one separate jurisdiction. There are 58 Cities in LA County including the City of Los Angeles. On April 14, 2020 the Board of Supervisors passed a law that applies County protections to all the unincorporated areas and to any City in LA County that has not passed a COVID-19 emergency law to protect its tenants.
What if I have the rent or part of the rent but I am afraid that later on I will not have enough to eat? Different organizations are giving slightly different advice. The Eviction Defense Network is advising that you make a 4-month budget. What is your anticipated income? What are your anticipated expenses prioritized as follows: 1) food5; 2) medical expense; 3) rent; 4) other debt. Make frugal decisions based on your needs. Ultimately a judge or jury will decide if your decisions complied with the law protecting you. Put health first.
Note that at every level of government, City of Los Angeles, County of Los Angeles, State of California and Federally ... advocates and activists continue to fight for rent forgiveness and mortgage payment relief. Please use these hashtags.
#CancelRent. #CancelMortgages #VacancyControl. RightToCounsel. #OnEveryFridge6
On April 17, 2020 Minne ttps://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/apr/17/ilhan-omar-rent-mortgage-bill-coronavirus-
pandemic?fbclid=IwAR3aA5NQztfmwO311VgtWrXICbPprje6M68fYO6t7aJEsFk-bExzemzjU6s
There is a call for the Governor to forgive rents and mortgages. https://www.rentstrikemovement.org/?fbclid=IwAR34cC5J18lZxbvxyeolVcbTGUdd4htFSbp7N_D7El3JvIktuO9px06tGM8
The Los Angeles Tenants Union is taking a #FoodNotRent position. https://latenantsunion.org/en/
The situation remains fluid and unpredictable. Go to page 14 and get involved!
Do I have to send a letter? It depends on the jurisdiction. Where do you live?
Should I send a letter? Yes. We recommend that you send a letter a few days before your rent is due each month even if not required by your jurisdiction. If you have evidence, send it even if not required by your jurisdiction. Why?

1. It is the polite thing to do and if the case goes to trial you will look more reasonable.
2. Landlords with information are less stressed and less likely to harass.

5 Now is the time to become an environmentalist. Don’t buy paper towels – use wash cloths once and then wash them. Don’t buy bottled water or single use plastic bottles – filter or boil and filter your water. And don’t get me started on the toilet paper fiasco – if you didn’t plan ahead and can’t persuade your hoarder neighbors and friends to help you out – soap and water.
6 We want tenant rights information and legal resources #OneEveryFridge so that tenants can find help when they need it.

 

sota Congress Member Ilhan Omar unveiled a bill that would

#CancelRent and #CancelMortgages for millions of Americans struggling amid the COVID-19

pandemic. h

  

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3. We are dealing with 151 jurisdictions. Play it safe. Send the letter and evidence.

Use one of the two letters at pages 21 and 22 of this document. Both letters are designed to help the landlord understand that there are laws that protect you. Both politely but firmly let the landlord know that you are not going to put up with harassment. Page 21 is softer. Page 22 harsher. You choose.
If the landlord starts to harass you don’t engage. We are seeing tenants respond with anything from equally rude comments to long pleas for forgiveness. The other day a single mother of three nearly was arrested because she allegedly threw water at her harassing landlord through a screen door.
Don’t engage other than to repeat the mantras provided in the letters.

1. “I have given the notice and evidence required by law. Please don’t ask again.”
2. “I do not wish to enter into a payment plan at this time. It is premature. If we work together, we can all get through this crisis. Please look into loan forbearance. Many organizations are fighting for rent and mortgage forgiveness and my situation is too unstable to make an agreement at this time.”

See also the handout at page 9 for a step by step response to harassment.
The Los Angeles Tenants Union and the AUTONONOMOSU (a coalition of tenants unionts all over the continent) recommend you not provide evidence in solidarity with those that may not be able to provide evidence because they are paid under the table, unless required by your local Ordinance. If you are part of an organized effort and your local Ordinance does not require it, not providing a letter or evidence is fine. Note that this is different than defying a law in solidarity. See Solidarity Strikers below and at page 23.
Do I have to send the proof with my letter? Not in LA City or LA County. Read the requirements for LA City at page 19 and for LA County (unincorporated and any City that does not have its own law) at page 18. Find the requirements for your city at pages 15-17. If you have the evidence, send it. If the landlord starts to harass you for more don’t engage and follow the instructions at pages 9-10 of this document.
How do I prove my COVID-19 reason for not paying the rent? The letters at pages 21 and 22 give you a list that can serve as your guide. Mark what applies. If you are paid under the table mark the section that says that you are not providing proof. Keep the names and contact information of co-workers; we may need them in court. Some jurisdictions have listed bank statements as a way to prove your defense. We think that is too intrusive. It’s up to you if you want to provide them. The County Board of Supervisors April 14, 2020 order allows for “self- certification.” That likely means the ability to testify in court or submit a declaration.
Should I rent strike? Most renters in the State are not going to pay rent because they don’t have the rent due to a COVID-19 reason. There is a call for a statewide rent strike with the demands of #CancelRent #CancelMortgages. If you have a COVID-19 reason for not paying, you are not going to pay, so join the movement. Get involved in an organization that is fighting for better solutions. See page 14 below for a list.
Solidarity Strikers: If you do not have a COVID-19 related reason for not paying the rent and you want to strike in solidarity, consult an attorney. The decision comes with risks you should

consider. Send an email to askanattorney@edn.la Subject line: Your name. Your address. Solidarity Striker.
Should I negotiate with my landlord? Wait to be re-employed before negotiating. Do not engage in negotiation other than agreeing to pay a reasonable portion of your rent that you are sure you can afford without putting your health at risk. Do not agree to move. Do not be frightened by threats to file an eviction. Do not sign anything.
Can the landlord still file an eviction action against me? Yes. They can serve a 3-day notice to pay rent or quit. If you don’t pay within the 3 days, they can file an eviction action. This is true even if a local jurisdiction uses strong language that specifically prohibits these actions. The stronger the language, the stronger the defense to any eviction filing. But the eviction lawsuit can be filed.
On 4/6/2020 the Judicial Council, which is the highest authority in our court system, issued a rule. The clerk cannot issue a Summons for eviction cases. Without a Summons the landlord has no power to force you into the case and cannot get an order to lock you out.
You MUST NOT file an Answer to the lawsuit until you are served the Summons. If you file the Answer the case can move forward because you brought yourself under the power of the court.
In an April 13, 2020 email to landlords, eviction attorney Dennis Block urged them to move forward with eviction filings. “.... an eviction action can be filed. The court will assign a case number, though a summons will not be issued. The complaint would then be sent to the tenant with an accompanying letter. This letter advises the tenant that a lawsuit has been filed and that there will be no rent forgiveness. The letter seeks to have the tenant contact the landlord, so that an arrangement may be made...”
We are concerned that tenants will feel coerced into making agreements they can’t keep or into moving out. We are recommending against negotiating at this time. A landlord that is trying to force you into an agreement in these precarious times does not have our interests at heart.
My landlord is harassing me for the full rent? Use the letter at page 22 of this document. If the landlord harasses you follow the steps at pages 9-10. Don’t get sucked into a back and forth. Respond once: “I believe I have complied with the requirements under the law. If you are concerned about paying your mortgage, please ask for a 3-month forbearance if you feel you need one. Advocates are fighting for laws to protect both of us.” Then block the communication as instructed.
I can’t pay my utilities – what can I do? Many of the local emergency orders contain provisions to keep the water running and the gas and electric on and give extensions parking tickets. Please look at the local language to see it that applies to you.
If there are so many moratoria, why am I getting hassled for the rent?
Ø Our elected officials need dictionaries. A moratorium is a prohibition on an
activity. An eviction moratorium is a prohibition against filing an eviction
There are no prohibitions against filing evictions. There are therefore no eviction moratoria. Our elected officials call the laws they pass moratoria. The media say moratoria. Even activists say moratoria. Tenants are confused by it. We need to stop

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skimming what we read. We need to stop relying on media soundbites. We need to stop calling these laws moratoria. Call them emergency tenant protection laws.

• Ø  The emergency laws don’t give enough protection: Our elected officials have kicked the can down the road by delaying evictions and delaying when you have to pay back the rent. What we need is:
  #CancelRent. #CancelMortages #VacancyControl. #RightToCounsel
• Ø  Do you know where you live? Don’t be the tenant from Pomona that sent a letter to his landlord citing the Governor’s moratorium, Mayor Garcetti’s prohibition from eviction and the Federal protections. None of it applied to him.
• Ø  What about the Governor’s Moratorium? The Governor did not issue a moratorium. He issued an Executive Order that gives a tenant with a COVID-19 reason to not pay rent an extra 55 days to respond to the court IF the landlord files an eviction action and IF the tenant sent a letter to the landlord within 7 days of the rent due date.
• Ø  Am I protected by the LA County Board of Supervisors 3/19/2020 and 4/14/2020 Orders? Only if you live in an area of LA County that has not incorporated as its own City OR if you live in a City in LA County that has not passed its own Ordinance. These are the
  links to the Executive Order of 3/19/2020 and the motion of 4/14/2020.
  https://kathrynbarger.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/19032020HP_MFP_M577143825.pdf http://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/bos/supdocs/145198.pdf
• Ø  Am I protected by the City of Los Angeles Orders? Only if you live in the City of LA.https://www.lamayor.org/COVID19Orders and http://clkrep.lacity.org/onlinedocs/2020/20-0147-S19_ORD_186585_03-31-2020.pdf
• Ø  What if I live in another City in LA County? The table at pages 15 and 16, links you to the protections offered by your city, if any. If you can’t understand the provisions for your city send an email to askanattorney@edn.la.
  Subject line: Your name. Your address. I have questions.
  If your City is not listed check the “trackers” at page 17 and if not listed there, you are protected by the provisions passed by the LA County Board of Supervisors at page 18
• Ø  What if I live out of LA County? While this Guide is County of LA biased, most of the document applies to tenants statewide. Where it does not we have said so and we have provided links to resources and laws in other counties at page 17.
• Ø  What if I don’t live in California? Email the Autonomous Tenants Union Network <atuntenants@gmail.com>. They should be able to connect you to resources and activistm in your area.
• Ø  Are you telling me that I can be evicted or that I can’t be evicted?§ A landlord can file an eviction action.§ The eviction action will be on hold until you are given a Summons.§ The earliest you can be given a Summons is 90 days after the Governor lifts the State
  of Emergency.

   

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• §  Answers on cases filed before the Judicial Council’s 4/6/2020 orders were due on or after 4/17/2020. If you did not file an Answer send an email to askanattorney@edn.la.
• §  The filing window is closed. E-filing is available. There is a drop box. If you choose the drop box, videotape yourself dropping the documents off. As always, you should hire an attorney.
• §  We are fighting for stronger protections. Use these hastags. #CancelRent #CancelMortgages #V acancyControl #RighttoCounsel #OnEveryFridge Please get involved! See page 14.
  My landlord is threatening to evict me by force: Penal Code Section 418 makes it a crime to evict you without a court order. It is also illegal to turn off utilities. Civil Code Section 789.3 allows you to sue a landlord that tries to lock you out, or locks you out, or turns off the utilities.
  Most police departments don’t enforce this law. In general, if a tenant is locked out, police officers incorrectly say it is a “civil matter” and you have to sue the landlord to get back in. We are seeing an increase in harassment, utility terminations and illegal lock outs. If your landlord tries to lock you out or turns off the utilities: 1) call the police; 2) call 213/537-5473; and send an email to askanattorney@edn.la . For utility termination also call the health department by dialing 211.
  Can the Sheriff lock me out? The LA County Sheriff is not conducting lock outs even if a tenant
  lost their case before the crisis started. This order could be lifted without warning. For tenants
  outside of LA County check this link for the status of enforcement in your county.
  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1mzDgLc1yq7fEE4mjbu2H8fccx5oyk_s8DoOcPYRtiwM/edit#gid=0
  Am I protected by the federal “moratorium” on eviction? Only if your housing is subsidized
  or the landlord has a particular kind of loan.
  https://www.nhlp.org/wp-content/uploads/2020.03.27-NHLP-CARES-Act-Eviction-Moratorium-Summary.pdfUpdate: https://nlihc.org/?ct=t(update_041720)To find out if this applies to you: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/guide-coronavirus-mortgage-relief-options/
  How can I get legal help: If you have questions after reading and digesting this document, the Eviction Defense Network is providing free counsel and advice to tenants who send an email to askanattorney@edn.la or consulta@edn.la. People without email or with literacy issues can call 213/537-5473.
  Your subject line must include: 1) your full name; 2) address (so we can check if you are protected by local rent control or the state Tenant Protection Act); and 3) the reason you are emailing.
  Good subject lines:
  Perfect Tenant. 333 Pleasant Place, LA 90031. 3-day notice to pay or quit Perfect Tenant. 333 Pleasant Place. LA 90031. Paper from court.
  Perfect Tenant. 333 Pleasant Place. LA 90031. Threat to lock out.
  Perfect Tenant. 333 Pleasant Place, LA 90031. Threat to shut off utilities. Perfect Tenant. 333 Pleasant Place. LA 90031. TITLE of the notice you have. Perfect Tenant. 333 Pleasant Place. LA 90031. Other clear description.
  Bad subject line: URGENT!! NEED HELP!
  Consultations are free. Donations are appreciated. We are about a10 days behind in responding and we are prioritizing illegal lock outs and illegal utility terminations.

     

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WORKERS RIGHTS
Bet Tzedek Workers Rights Legal Clinic: https://www.bettzedek.org/events/employment-rights-walk-in-clinic-2017-05-17/ California Employment Attorneys Association, at this link: https://cela.org/index.cfm?pg=FindAMember
http://celavoice.org/2020/04/23/how-to-access-paid-time-off-when-caring-for-loved-ones-with-covid-19/Overview from the EDD regarding what you can expect after you've filed for unemployment.
https://www.edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/After_You_Filed.htmInformation about relief funds: https://legalaidatwork.org/blog/relief-funds/Information about essential workers: https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/Essential-and-Non-essential-Workers.htm LA Jobs portal: https://lajobsportal.org
Here are a couple of quick links regarding types of wage replacement and how to apply:

• https://www.edd.ca.gov/about_edd/coronavirus-2019/workers.htm
• https://www.labor.ca.gov/coronavirus2019/#chart
• https://www.labor.ca.gov/pandemic-unemployment-assistance-pua-program/ https://legalaidatwork.org/blog/relief-funds/
  IMMIGRANTS RIGHTS
  Guide for Immigrant Californians concerning COVID-19: https://covid19.ca.gov/guide-immigrant-californians/ Multi-language Summary: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IsPLuHoYK6ec7Gzxaw0i7On-
  NT1Z9IEj/preview?fbclid=IwAR1xvCnGaV2VLjYM-zPE4F5FVUoPlqiY0tkudvG-somr7j1LfCIXYXF5ciw
  California Department of Social Services https://www.cdss.ca.gov/home/fbclid/iwar12shiztdlcxqa5gv- lxwrgyut3jzbrxljmft9u_eyxbccpswmwgqxnyd0
  OTHER GOVERNMENT BENEFIT RESOURCES
  California Department of Social Services
  https://www.cdss.ca.gov/home/fbclid/iwar12shiztdlcxqa5gv-lxwrgyut3jzbrxljmft9u_eyxbccpswmwgqxnyd0
  Covered California: https://www.coveredca.com
  Hunger Action LA: https://www.hungeractionla.org
  Good resource for updates on public benefits in LA County is:
  http://dpss.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/dpss/main/home/news
  FAQ that addresses reporting issues for CalFresh, CalWORKs, GR, Medi-Cal and immigrant
  benefit issues too:
  http://dpss.lacounty.gov/wps/portal/dpss/main/home/news?1dmy&page=dept.dpss.home.news.detailhidden&urile=wcm%3apath%3a/dpss+content/ dpss+site/home/news/b5c4d7d2-999f-4b75-8d7b-7bf1cb8b0aa2
  GENERAL RESOURCE GUIDE by Tenants Together
  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G-n_wK1JXuNHc2drqFjq3JdY-8ILG343zvbM5q8Ykx8/edit#

            

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WHAT TO DO IF
YOU ARE BEING HARASSED FOR THE RENT
LANDLORD WANTS MORE INFORMATION
GIVES YOU A 3 DAY NOTICE TO PAY OR QUIT
YOU GET A PAPER FROM THE COURT
Landlord harassment is on the rise. Landlord attorneys are pushing for evictions to be filed and for a week the court sent out an incorrect and misleading notice.
If you are being harassed – read the steps below and if you have done them: 1. Put an autoreply on your email and read the email every 3 days;
2. Block the texting from your landlord read the texts every 3 days;
3. Put a sign on your door: "This household is protected by the tenant rights movement. Landlord, please do not knock. If I open the door you will be recorded. Put your request in writing to I can take it to my Tenant Union and our Solidarity Lawyer."
Make sure you join a Tenant Union First.Step 1: Did you notify your landlord of your COVID-19 related reason for not paying. If you did
not do so. For a letter see page 22.Step 2: Check what proof or notification requirements apply to you based on your City which you
can find at pages 15 and 16.Step 3: Comply with the notice and evidence requirements for your City. Or simply send the letter
and what evidence you have to avoid confusion.
Step 4: If the landlord harasses you for information either ignore them or repeat the mantra in the letter: "I have complied with all the requirements of the laws that protect me." Report the behavior to your local elected official (eg. City Councilmember) and/or local enforcement agency (eg. HCID-LA in Los Angeles).
Step 5: If the landlord serves a 3-day notice to pay rent or quit either ignore them or repeat the mantra in the letter: "I have complied with all the requirements of the laws that protect me." Remember that this document can only hurt you if you get a paper cut from it.
Step 6: If the landlord insists on a payment plan repeat this mantra which is also in the letter: “I do not wish to enter into a payment plan at this time. I think it is premature. Many organizations are fighting for rent and mortgage forgiveness and my situation is too unstable to make an actual agreement.
Step 7: If the landlord gives you a lawsuit or you get papers from the court sent an email to askanattorney@edn.la.

Issued 5/4/2020

- 9 -

If the landlord filed the lawsuit after April 6, 2020 DO NOT file an Answer. The court is not issuing the Summons for eviction complaints. Without a Summons the court cannot get jurisdiction (power) over you unless you voluntarily file an Answer.
Under a Rule passed by the Judicial Council on April 6 (which went into effect April 6), the court will not issue a Summons until 90 days after the Governor lifts the State of Emergency.
Confused: Send an email to askanattorney@edn.la
NOTE: Subject line: Your name. Address. Reason you are emailing.
E.g. Perfect J. Tenant. 333 Pleasant Lane, LA 90031: Harassment
Eg. Perfect J. Tenant. 333 Pleasant Lane, LA 90031: 3 day notice to pay or quit E.g. Perfect J. Tenant. 333 Pleasant Lane, LA 90031: Notice of UD Filing
E.g. Perfect J. Tenant. 333 Pleasant Lane, LA 90031: Complaint for Eviction E,g. Perfect J. Tenant. 333 Pleasant Lane, LA 90031: Threat to lock me out
The address allows us to determine if you are protected by Rent Control or the Tenant Protection Act.
Step 8. Report this violation to your City Councilmember or your Board of Supervisor's member and your local rent board if you have one.
Step 9: Get involved!
Join your Tenants Union:
Burbank: https://www.burbanktenants.com Glendale:
Inglewood:
Los Angeles – City:
Los Angeles County - Unincorporated:
Pasadena:
Join a Statewide Tenant Organization
Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE) https://www.acceaction.org Tenants Together: http://www.tenantstogether.org
Join a Coalition or Organization engaged in doing policy work
City and County of Los Angeles: State of California:
Rental Affordability Act:
Not in California: Autonomous Tenants Union Network atuntenants@gmail.com
Step 10: Be safe. Stop panic buying. Stop panicking period. Ignore your harassing landlord. And get involved!

 

- 10 -

Issued 5/4/2020

https://www.glendaletenants.org

https://www.facebook.com/InglewoodTenantsUnion/

https://latenantsunion.org/en

https://www.facebook.com/UnincorporatedTenantsUnited/

http://pasadenatenantsunion.org/en/

HealthyLA.org

https://www.housingnowca.org

https://www.housinghumanright.org/about/

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR LANDLORD WANTS ACCESS TO YOUR UNIT
Step 1: Find out the reason. If it is a general inspection or to show the unit, you have a reasonable defense for not allowing access. If there is a water leak to the unit below and they need access to your unit, you should probably give access.
If you are unsure send an email to askanattorney@edn.laSubject line: Your name. Address. Request for Access on DATE. We prioritize these.
Step 2: Exercise caution. If the landlord has been harassing you and you think this is a ruse to take you out by force, don't give access. Send an email to askanattorney@edn.la.
Subject line: Your name. Address. Threat of illegal lock out.
Step 3: If you choose to give access do it safely. Mask all your household members. Make sure the workers are masked and gloved. Don't let them touch anything unnecessarily. Disinfect what they touch.
Step 4. If the landlord is being unreasonable, report this violation to your City Councilmember or your Board of Supervisor's member and your local rent board if you have one. Remember that you need to be reasonable too.
Step 5: Get involved!
Join your Tenants Union:
Burbank: https://www.burbanktenants.com Glendale:
Inglewood:
Los Angeles – City:
Los Angeles County - Unincorporated:
Pasadena:
Join a Statewide Tenant Organization
Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE) https://www.acceaction.org Tenants Together: http://www.tenantstogether.org
Join a Coalition or Organization engaged in doing policy work
City and County of Los Angeles: State of California:
Rental Affordability Act:
Not in California: Autonomous Tenants Union Network atuntenants@gmail.comStep 6: Be safe. Stop panic buying. Stop panicking period. Ignore your harassing landlord. And get involved!

 

https://www.glendaletenants.org

https://www.facebook.com/InglewoodTenantsUnion/

https://latenantsunion.org/en

https://www.facebook.com/UnincorporatedTenantsUnited/

http://pasadenatenantsunion.org/en/

HealthyLA.org

https://www.housingnowca.org

https://www.housinghumanright.org/about/

Issued 5/4/2020

- 11 -

WHAT TO DO IF YOU GET A NOTICE TO CURE OR QUIT
Step 1: Is there a lease or rental agreement?Step 2: Are you violating the lease. If yes.Step 3: Is it a violation that you can safely cure. If yes. Cure it.Step 4: Figure out if there are emergency laws that protects you in your city. (Tape at pages 15 and 16). Step 5: Send an email to askanattorney@edn.la (we are 10 days behind in answering).Step 6: If the landlord gives you a lawsuit or you get papers from the court sent an email to askanattorney@edn.la. (We are 10 days behind in answering inquiries).
If the landlord filed the lawsuit after April 6, 2020 DO NOT file an Answer. The court is not issuing the Summons for eviction complaints. Without a Summons the court cannot get jurisdiction (power) over you unless you voluntarily file an Answer. Under a Rule passed by the Judicial Council on April 6 (which went into effect April 6), the court will not issue a Summons until 90 days after the Governor lifts the State of Emergency.
Confused: Send an email to askanattorney@edn.la?
Subject line: Your name. Address. Title of the notice
Perfect J. Tenant. 333 Pleasant Lane, LA 90031. 3-day notice to cure or quit
The address allows us to determine if you are protected by Rent Control or the Tenant Protection Act.
Step 7. Report this violation to your City Councilmember/Board of Supervisor or rent board if you have one.
Step 8: Get involved!
Join your Tenants Union:
Burbank: https://www.burbanktenants.com Glendale:
Inglewood:
Los Angeles – City:
Los Angeles County - Unincorporated:
Pasadena:
Join a Statewide Tenant Organization
Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE) https://www.acceaction.org Tenants Together: http://www.tenantstogether.org
Join a Coalition or Organization engaged in doing policy work
City and County of Los Angeles: State of California:
Rental Affordability Act:
Not in California: Autonomous Tenants Union Network atuntenants@gmail.comStep 9: Be safe. Stop panic buying. Stop panicking period. Ignore your harassing landlord. And get involved!

  

- 12 -

Issued 5/4/2020

https://www.glendaletenants.org

https://www.facebook.com/InglewoodTenantsUnion/

https://latenantsunion.org/en

https://www.facebook.com/UnincorporatedTenantsUnited/

http://pasadenatenantsunion.org/en/

HealthyLA.org

https://www.housingnowca.org

https://www.housinghumanright.org/about/

WHAT TO DO IF YOU GET A NOTICE TO QUIT
Step 1: Are they accusing you of a bad behavior? Yes.Step 2: Are you doing the bad behavior and is it bad? Yes. Cut it out. You can be evicted now!!!Step 3: No bad behavior alleged or not committing bad behavior?Step 4: Figure out if there are emergency laws that protect you in your city by looking at pages 15-16. Step 5: Send an email to askanattorney@edn.la (we are 10 days behind in answering).Step 6: If the landlord gives you a lawsuit or you get papers from the court sent an email to askanattorney@edn.la.
If the landlord filed the lawsuit after April 6, 2020 DO NOT file an Answer. The court is not issuing the Summons for eviction complaints. Without a Summons the court cannot get jurisdiction (power) over you unless you voluntarily file an Answer. Under a Rule passed by the Judicial Council on April 6 (which went into effect April 6), the court will not issue a Summons until 90 days after the Governor lifts the State of Emergency.
Confused: Send an email to askanattorney@edn.la
Subject line: Your name. Address. 3-day notice to quit (or the title of it)
E.g. Perfect J. Tenant. 333 Pleasant Lane, LA 90031: 3-day notice to quit (or the title).
The address allows us to determine if you are protected by Rent Control or the Tenant Protection Act.
Tenants have a lot of protection from eviction during the COVID-19 Crisis except if they commit a nuisance that presents a danger to health and safety. Check yourself and document that you are not doing what you are accused of doing. Check yourself if the landlord is escalating. Stay calm. Don’t give them a reason to evict you.
Step 7. Report this violation to your City Councilmember/Board of Supervisor or rent board if you have one. Step 8: Get involved!
Join your Tenants Union:
Burbank: https://www.burbanktenants.com Glendale:
Inglewood:
Los Angeles – City:
Los Angeles County - Unincorporated:
Pasadena:
Join a Statewide Tenant Organization
Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE) https://www.acceaction.org Tenants Together: http://www.tenantstogether.org
Join a Coalition or Organization engaged in doing policy work
City and County of Los Angeles: State of California:
Rental Affordability Act:
Not in California: Autonomous Tenants Union Network atuntenants@gmail.comStep 9: Be safe. Stop panic buying. Stop panicking period. Ignore your harassing landlord. And get involved!

https://www.glendaletenants.org

https://www.facebook.com/InglewoodTenantsUnion/

https://latenantsunion.org/en

https://www.facebook.com/UnincorporatedTenantsUnited/

http://pasadenatenantsunion.org/en/

HealthyLA.org

https://www.housingnowca.org

https://www.housinghumanright.org/about/

Issued 5/4/2020

- 13 -

DO YOU WANT STRONGER LAWS?
GET INVOLVED - RESPOND TO ACTION ALERTS
If you are having an issue, in addition to seeking help, call your elected officials.
In Los Angeles City and County in addition to letting them know what you are going through, tell them that you support the HealthyLA platform.
Make a 60 second video sharing your story. For instructions: http://healthyla.org/share/.

1. Post your video on social media and tag your elected officials.
2. Message LA City/LA County: Support the HealthyLA proposals.
3. Use the hastags [#CancelRent #CancelMortgages #VacancyControl #RightToCounsel
4. LA: Find your councilmember @ https://neighborhoodinfo.lacity.org.

To find out who your state and elected officials are, put your address into this website https://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative/change-your-address
We also encourage you to join one or more of these groups. They are all fighting for stronger laws to protect tenants.
FB Group: COVID 19 Tenant Rights #OnEveryFridge
Join your Tenants Union:
Burbank: https://www.burbanktenants.com Glendale:
Inglewood:
Los Angeles – City:
Los Angeles County - Unincorporated:
Pasadena:
Join a Statewide Tenant Organization
Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE) https://www.acceaction.org Tenants Together: http://www.tenantstogether.org
Join a Coalition or Organization engaged in doing policy work
City and County of Los Angeles: State of California:
Rental Affordability Act:
Not in California: Autonomous Tenants Union Network atuntenants@gmail.com Be safe. Stop panic buying. Stop panicking period. Ignore your harassing landlord. And get involved!

5. LA Get links to their FB, Twitter and Instagram accounts
here: https://www.lacity.org/government/popular-information/elected-officials/city- council

https://www.glendaletenants.org

https://www.facebook.com/InglewoodTenantsUnion/

https://latenantsunion.org/en

https://www.facebook.com/UnincorporatedTenantsUnited/

http://pasadenatenantsunion.org/en/

HealthyLA.org

https://www.housingnowca.org

https://www.housinghumanright.org/about/

- 14 -

Issued 5/4/2020

FIND THE STATE AND LOCAL LAW THAT PROTECTS YOU

There are no moratoriums. Some local laws provide a defense to eviction for COVID-19 related nonpayment of rent. Some provide 4 to 12 month periods to pay the rent. Some have added limited “just cause” eviction protections (meaning you can only be evicted for certain reasons). Some include protection from utility termination and parking tickets. See the link to the text for the law that protects you below. Post your questions on the FB Group Stop Gentrification #OnEveryFridge. This list may not be complete. If your city is not listed, check the trackers on page 17.
How do I figure out if I am in unincorporated county?
https://la.lawsoup.org/legal-basics/list-of-unincorporated-communities-of-los-angeles-county/ or http://rentcontrol.ownit.la/?fbclid=IwAR1Qj5S3R45SY qMf22NCYMxFYIqJPuZFSDJp6wcRpxOyPf3eTxZmh-gW1Dg#17/34.076557/- 118.207594
See what Matthew Desmond (author of Evicted) and the National Low Income Housing Coalition think about the laws our elected officials have passed. https://evictionlab.org/covid-policy- scorecard/ https://nlihc.org/federal-moratoriums

    

Jurisdiction

Link to actual language

Entire State	https://newsroom.courts.ca.gov/news/court-emergency-orders-6794321 https://wclp.org/summary-california-courts-emergency-rule-on-evictions-and-foreclosures/ https://www.gov.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/3.27.20-EO-N-37-20-text.pdf Analysis by CA Housing Advocates: FB #OnEveryFridge files – Click on “EO Analysis 3/27/20 ...”
Entire County LA Superior Court	http://www.lacourt.org/newsmedia/ui/covid19NewsCenter.aspx This links you to other court orders throughout the State of California that address increased deadlines

CitynotCovered https://kathrynbarger.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/19032020HP_MFP_M577143825.pdf

By a local law Agoura Hills Alameda Alhambra Arcadia Baldwin Park
Beverly Hills
Burbank Commerce Culver City
Duarte
El Monte Fullerton Garden Grove Gardena Glendale

http://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/bos/supdocs/145198.pdf
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kyUjbKFMSwQHOnyBBJYrVF0IBYVT-K0l/view
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AVRxMqaW7sBVOBqwuXpvRlW5eJZYstbq/view
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XxAiBDLc9CTnFGqiKHKN1m83CJl8cfx-/view
Appears on the lists but no links. Not sure if they passed a measure.
https://www.baldwinpark.com/online-documents/press-releases/2020/2093-city-of-baldwin-park- eviction-news-release/file https://www.beverlyhills.org/cbhfiles/storage/files/18897053101710860873/BHOrdinance20-O- 2805COVID19Emergency.pdf https://burbank.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=42&clip_id=8995&meta_id=366200
http://www.ci.commerce.ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/4748
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GhkDn839D6lxyTLP-_pz3s5nG7aHMicf/view
https://drive.google.com/file/d/124uRMzGwDiWrMT-kWM_yqEzDQDvA3W0_/view
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1h0vowq-bf7bafQuG9TvUXJM4emeRdUoo/view https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jRTmDhwDX_Cm20oFuDIEWxxMs_-bjLlo/view https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fT8w2EduIUZ3xQCLm3SMvT_QlTKjOv9w/view https://drive.google.com/file/d/19sxFRnW2HBpV9s1a-vdGc3xoinh8EGEu/view https://drive.google.com/file/d/1i5lLydftvDJnM2Mz-p5roGauIvWaraEb/view https://www.glendaleca.gov/home/showdocument?id=55361

                         

Issued 5/4/2020

- 15 -

 

Hawaiian Gardens Hermosa Beach
Huntington Park Inglewood
La Verene Lancaster Long Beach Los Angeles - City
Los Angeles – County Lynwood
Manhattan Beach Maywood
Monrovia Montclaire Pasadena
Pico Rivera Pomona
Redondo Beach Rosemead
San Gabriel Santa Clarita Santa Monica
Simi Valley South Gate South Pasadena
Torrance
West Hollywood Whittier

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1swEMroRV9Qi4b8AXu-0m13HyCLtQhQAY/view
This is a news clipping. Need link to the Ordinance.
https://easyreadernews.com/hermosa-beach-okays-eviction-moratorium-rejects-rent-abatement/
https://www.hpca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8162/HP-Resolution-proclamation-COVID-19?bidId=
https://www.cityofinglewood.org/DocumentCenter/View/14118/Executed-Copy---Emergency-Ordinance- COVID19https://drive.google.com/file/d/1booR9YIJ0uGUo16G73eBGy0Fc1aadjmP/view
Appears on the lists but no links. Not sure if they passed a measure.
https://lbpost.com/news/eviction-moratorium-rent-relief-long-beach
Mayor of LA Executive Orders:
https://www.lamayor.org/COVID19Orders.
City Council: http://clkrep.lacity.org/onlinedocs/2020/20-0147-S19_ORD_186585_03-31-2020.pdf https://kathrynbarger.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/19032020HP_MFP_M577143825.pdf http://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/bos/supdocs/145198.pdf
http://lynwood.ca.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Public-Order-Under-City-of-Lynwood-Emergency- Authority_ENG_SPA.pdf
https://www.citymb.info/home/showdocument?id=41876 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gHw1BpJa2qzhBC8lnECMXawGGh4X-x-o/view
https://www.cityofmaywood.com/media/Ordinance/2020/20-01-U%20- An%20Urgency%20Ordinance%20Adopting%20emergency%20Regulations%20related%20to%20tenant% 20evictions%20and%20declaring%20the%20urgency%20thereof.pdf https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hRmE-MVZ6lJUuoAK7GGdObHYF1w3XGE3/view
Appears on some lists but no links. Not sure if they passed a measure.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FAgBLa_mK6vZgMsDI_uY1VUx9wkN0U3V/view
https://www.cityofpasadena.net/city-manager/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/Reso- 9770.pdf?v=1584580389832https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YifJUJkp3DvWKNJN0hjcbvFN4zFmwS6W/view
http://www.ci.pomona.ca.us/index.php/wwhome/sewer-master-plan/21-government/2013- coronavirus-updateshttps://drive.google.com/file/d/16BVCkwRp3HwIa09yCr0nfkQYXVvJxp2f/view
https://drive.google.com/file/d/12cb_Z5dBwML1nQUnXASsfD1TZzgUdyok/view https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_Td15g6Pp857qXCCYbV9j14QVMtwcq9D/view https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gnZjN_JExE7vJccaKl3yKU3sjYjQHb_w/view
https://www.santamonica.gov/press/2020/03/14/city-of-santa-monica-issues-temporary-moratorium- on-evictions-for-non-payment-of-rent-by-residential-tenants-impacted-by-the-novel-coronavirus-covid- 19https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V-r-qH8E50oCdC6rY3pTvH2lYQQsxzXz/view
https://www.cityofsouthgate.org/DocumentCenter/View/6164/Executive-Order-Evictions-03-18-20
https://southpasadenan.com/tenants-union-demands-eviction-moratorium-utility-shutoff-halt-in-place- for-south-pasadena/
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wqUnYWGoibvirDqHrR2NgeB-kwlhEijo/view
https://weho.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=16&event_id=1184&meta_id=185597
https://online.cityofwhittier.org/OnBaseAgendaOnline/Documents/ViewDocument/REVISED%20PROPOS ED%20URGENCY%20ORDINANCE%20(34572).pdf?meetingId=3072&documentType=Agenda&itemId=345 72&publishId=15817&isSection=false

                                            

https://www.southpasadenaca.gov/home/showdocument?id=19583

https://www.southpasadenaca.gov/home/showdocument?id=19573

     

- 16 -

Issued 5/4/2020

For tenants in Public Housing, Subsidized Housing, or Housing that has certain kinds of Federally insured mortgages.

Federal Tenant Protections

https://www.nhlp.org/wp-content/uploads/2020.03.27-NHLP-CARES-Act-Eviction-Moratorium- Summary.pdf To find out if this applies to you: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/guide- coronavirus-mortgage-relief-options/ https://www.nhlp.org/campaign/protecting-renter-and-homeowner-rights-during-our-national-health-crisis- 2/

The “Trackers” in this box are keeping track of various tenant emergency protection laws in California. They provide a summary of the law and the link to the law.

“Trackers” Other Jurisdictions in the State Each of these Trackers has It’s benefits. Check them out.

Tenants Together: Good statewide resources. To find your local tenant measure scroll down to “Local Organizing Efforts” in this document and search for your City or County. The tracker is now at the top https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G-n_wK1JXuNHc2drqFjq3JdY-8ILG343zvbM5q8Ykx8/edit# Housing Rights Center: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nqZo8nlnVL_auqe2dKHGezvBgcOIyOrHGsqUowufSwI/edit#gid =0 National Lawyers Guild: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16fEe8zCDiGIpdP0grQiVeM_Z0pMabGN6pYR_KFySEug/e dit#gid=0 SAJE: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NVoi5tZ3Gb7DHZUGSpYQNID7Li4M7y_Rp_lPxQqL2hs/edit California Housing Advocates: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1isrIveEywsthl46Iiawe3kkNvzeocQht6sl3pqkLwnQ/edit Anti-Eviction Mapping Project: https://www.antievictionmap.com/blog/2020/3/19/covid-19- emergency-tenant-protections-map Housing Now! https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ykObHTzZgJLKkkiBY01HGtNgCAE3EUTQyoTHJeAsTxE/e dit#gid=0

Issued 5/4/2020

- 17 -

SUMMARY OF LA COUNTY PROTECTIONS
Am I protected by the LA County Board of Supervisors 3/19/2020 Order and 4/14/2020 motion?
Only if you live in an area of LA County that has not incorporated as its own City OR in a City in LA County that has not passed its own COVID-19 tenant protections.
March 19, 2020: The County Board of Supervisors passed an Executive Order on March 19, 2020 that prohibits the filing of eviction actions for COVID-19 related loss of income or increased expenses or any other COVID-19 related reason. The tenant MUST send a letter within 7 days (but this requirement was relaxed on 4/14/2020). The order is retroactive to March 4, 2020. Rent is due within 6 months (this was changed to 12 months on 4/14/2020).
The Executive Order is silent about when proof has to be provided but if an eviction is filed you will need that proof.
The Executive Order extends “no fault” eviction protections for tenants not protected by the County’s rent control law.
The Executive Order also asks utility companies to take steps to prevent late fees and utility terminations. https://kathrynbarger.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/19032020HP_MFP_M577143825.pdf
April 14, 2020: The County Board of Supervisors amended their March 19, 2020 orders to make them more protective of tenants including: 1) expanding protections to tenants living in Cities in the County that have not passed COVID-19 tenant protections; 2) extending the repayment of rent provisions to one year; 3) allowing tenants that are paid under the table will be allowed to “self- certify” their loss of work which presumably means making a declaration under penalty of perjury; 4) Prohibiting landlords, and those acting on their behalf, from harassing or intimidating tenants for acts or omissions expressly permitted under the Executive Order; 5) prohibiting rent increases for residential units from 3/4/20 to 5/31/20; 6) ; prohibit new pass-throughs, charging interest and/or late fees; and bar later collection of interest and late fees incurred during this period;
7) prohibiting eviction based on unauthorized occupants, pets or other Covid19-related nuisance; 8) Protecting mobilehome owners through eviction moratorium and prohibition on rent increases; and 9) Declare that physical loss of and damage to businesses is resulting from the public health crisis and subsequent County-mandated shutdown, and that these businesses have lost the use of their property and are not functioning as intended. http://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/bos/supdocs/145198.pdf
The County of LA orders encourage payment plans. We recommend that tenants wait until the crisis is over and they return to work before entering into payment plans.
For more details about the Board’s recent actions and other landlord-tenant issues, please

- 18 -

Issued 5/4/2020

contact the L.A. County Disaster Help Center. Call (833) 238-4450; email rent@dcba.lacounty.gov; or visit lacountyhelpcenter.org.
SUMMARY OF LA CITY PROTECTIONS
Am I protected by Mayor of Los Angeles Orders or the City Council’s 3/27/2020 actions?
Only if you live in the City of Los Angeles.
On March 4, 2020 the Mayor issued a Declaration of Local Emergency. On March 15, 2020 and March 23, 2020 the Mayor issued an Emergency Orders. On March 27, 2020 the Los Angeles City Council added protections.
Tenants in the City of Los Angeles that have a COVID-19 related reason to not pay the rent have a defense to the eviction and 12 months to pay (3 months for commercial tenancies and protection not offered to publicly traded companies and companies with over 500 employees). No proof or letter is required at this time but we recommend you send a letter and the proof if you have it and that you save the proof for court if needed. Use the letter attached.
The LA orders encourage payment plans. We recommend that tenants wait until the crisis is over and they return to work before entering into payment plans.
The City Council also confirmed protection from “no-fault” evictions for tenants not already
protected by the Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance and added a prohibition against
evictions for unauthorized persons and pets. It also prohibits charging late fees and interest on
unpaid rent. Landlords must notify tenants of these protections. These measures are retroactive to
the March 4, 2020 emergency declaration by the Mayor. http://clkrep.lacity.org/onlinedocs/2020/20-0147- S19_ORD_186585_03-31-2020.pdf
On March 30, 2020 the Mayor suspended rent increases for units that are covered by the Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Ordinance.
https://www.lamayor.org/sites/g/files/wph446/f/page/file/20200330MayorPublicOrderSuspendingRSORentIncreasesLA.pdf
On April 22, 2020 the Los Angeles City Council passed a motion approving rent subsidy. Details are still pending and we are working to make sure that it does not become a waste of public funds. They did not approve sufficient funds. We have issues with the program as proposed. We will keep you posted.
For other orders issued by the Mayor go to https://www.lamayor.org/COVID19Orders. Note that they Mayor has said that the utilities will stay on but for the life of me I can’t find the Order. Eternal gratitude and love to the person that finds it.
The Los Angeles Housing Department is encouraging tenant to enter into payment plans. Again, we think this is premature and recommend you do not until you are re-employed and the COVID-19 Crisis has ended.
To reach the Housing and Community Investment (HCID-LA) https://hcidla.lacity.org. You can make a harassment complaint and any other complaint of any violation. If you are given information that is contrary

     

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to what we have said in this document, send an email to askanattorney@edn.la Find out if you live in an RSO property. It's easy! Text to 1-855-880-7368.
WHAT ELSE CAN I DO?
Step 1: Do not panic! Do not spread false information!
Step 2: Do not panic buy! Live w/out non-essentials. Eliminate single use plastic, bottled water (boil
and/or filter water) and paper towels.
Step 3: Apply for benefits you are entitled to receive. See page 8
Step 4: Spend frugally. Feed your family. Make logical choices in prioritizing other debt. We are fighting for rent and debt relief.
Step 5: If you cannot pay your rent send a letter/email/text to your landlord. Follow the instructions at pages 3-4 above and use one of the letters at pages 21-22.
Step 6: Practice Extensive Social Distancing. Stay home. If you must work, practice Social Distancing. Wash your hands often. Don't touch your face. Disinfect often. Disinfect items coming into our home. Avoid having visitors.
Step 7: Get involved!
FB Group: COVID 19 Tenant Rights #OnEveryFridge
Join your Tenants Union:
Burbank: https://www.burbanktenants.com Glendale:
Inglewood:
Los Angeles – City:
Los Angeles County - Unincorporated: Pasadena:
Join a Statewide Tenant Organization
Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE) https://www.acceaction.org Tenants Together: http://www.tenantstogether.org
Join a Coalition or Organization engaged in doing policy work
City and County of Los Angeles: State of California:
Rental Affordability Act:
Not in California: Autonomous Tenants Union Network atuntenants@gmail.comStep 9: Keep your spirits up. Get up every day. Shower. Get dressed. Engage in productive activities.
Take walks while practicing Social Distancing.
Step 9: Acknowledge that it is okay to be apprehensive and frightened and then move away from it. Count your blessings once a day. Acknowledge one opportunity the crisis gives you.

 

https://www.glendaletenants.org

https://www.facebook.com/InglewoodTenantsUnion/

https://latenantsunion.org/en

https://www.facebook.com/UnincorporatedTenantsUnited/

http://pasadenatenantsunion.org/en/

HealthyLA.org

https://www.housingnowca.org

https://www.housinghumanright.org/about/

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Step 10: After reading this booklet, if you have questions or need help, as for legal assistance by: email askanattorney@edn.la. If you don't have an email text or call 213/537-5473.
Step 11: Stay positive and strong and thank you for staying informed.

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COVID-19 EMERGENCY
NOTIFICATION TO LANDLORDSend by email and US mail.
To avoid entering the post office video tape yourself mailing it at a mailbox on the sidewalk.
Name of Landlord: _________________
Address of Landlord: _________________________________________ Email address of Landlord: ________________________________
Re: Tenant name: ___________________
Tenant address: ______________________________
Dear ___________________:
I have had a temporary loss of income and/or increased expenses due to the COVID-19 Crisis. As a result:
____ I will not be able to pay my rent; or
_____ I will only be able to pay $_______ my rent.
I do not wish to enter into a payment plan at this time. I think it is premature. Many organizations are fighting for rent and mortgage forgiveness and my situation is too unstable to make an actual agreement.
I have the option of providing you my documentation now or later. Attached is: _____ My letter of termination
_____ My EDD documents
_____ Proof of increased expenses that are COVID-19 crisis related
_____ Other Proof. I decline to provide bank states as they are not relevant.
_____ I will provide proof when I can get it or by the appropriate due date. None of the laws that protect me require that I provide proof at this time. If you send me a menacing letter or email demanding proof I
7
In order to document our communication and to avoid misunderstandings, please respond to this email via email or in writing rather than call or visit.
Sincerely,
_______________________
PRINT YOUR NAME
7 Proof is not required at this time for compliance with the Judicial Council Rule, Governor’s Emergency Order or City of LA Order or LA County Supervisors Order for unincorporated parts of the County. All others, please read the law that applies to your city.

will remind you that I have complied by sending this letter.

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COVID-19 EMERGENCY - NOTIFICATION TO LANDLORD
Send by email and US mail.
To avoid entering the post office video tape yourself mailing it at a mailbox on the sidewalk
Date: __________________
Name of Landlord: ______________________________________________________ Address of Landlord: _________________________________________
Email address of Landlord: ________________________________
Re: Tenant name: ________________ Tenant address: ______________________________ Dear ___________________:
I have had a temporary loss of income and/or increased expenses or have otherwise been affected due to the COVID-19 Crisis as a result:
_____ I will not be able to pay my rent. _____ I will only be able to pay $_____________________ of my rent.
I have the option of providing you my documentation now or later.
_____ I will provide proof when I can get it or by the appropriate due date. If you send me a menacing letter or email
demanding proof at this time my response will be to remind you that I have complied by sending this letter.8
OR
Attached is:
_____ My letter of termination or _____ My EDD documents
_____ Proof of increased expenses that are COVID-19 crisis related
_____ Other Proof. I decline to provide bank states as they are not relevant.
I do NOT wish to enter into a payment plan at this time. It is premature. If we work together, we can all get through this crisis. Please look into loan forbearance if you need it for your mortgage. Many organizations are fighting for rent and mortgage forgiveness and my situation is too unstable to make an agreement at this time.
I am aware that landlord attorneys are urging landlords to file eviction actions and to trick tenants into filing answers prematurely. On April 6, 2020 the Judicial Council passed a Rule that prohibits the clerk of the superior court from issuing a Summons until 90 days after the State of Emergency is lifted. This time period is intended to give both of us time to recover from the economic impact of the Crisis before running to court. If you file an eviction action prematurely, I will not answer it until I am served a Summons issued by the Clerk of the Court and I will hire a lawyer.
I will protect my home to the full extent of the law, including filing a complaint and asserting my constitutional right to a jury trial. In some jurisdictions you can be fined $1000 for harassing me or violating a local COVID-19 tenant protection measure. In addition, Penal Code Section 418 makes it a crime to evict a tenant without a court order or to turn off utilities. Civil Code Section 789.3 allows a tenant to sue a landlord that locks the tenant out, or even tries to, or turns off the utilities. I have joined my Tenant Union. My fellow tenants stand ready to protect my rights.
These are difficult times for everyone. I want to repeat that most banks are giving loan forbearance relief at this time and advocates are fighting for stronger protection for both tenants and mortgage holders. In order to document our communication and to avoid misunderstandings, please respond via email or in writing rather than call or visit.
Sincerely,
PRINT AND SIGN YOUR NAME
8 Proof is not required at this time for compliance with the Judicial Council Rule, Governor’s Emergency Order or most local measures. Check your local measure. Do not provide bank records or documents that are intrusive. Save your proof as we may need it for court.

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