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Tenant and Landlord Resources
ECHO Housing is Concord's tenant and landlord service provider. For additional information on any of Concord's tenant and landlord programs and policies, please contact ECHO Housing at 1-925-732-3919 or contact@echofairhousing.org.
The City has developed a legislative flyer that summarizes recently released residential eviction and rent increase regulations for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The English/Spanish flyer includes information regarding COVID-19 related tenant protections. Also available is the COVID-19 Declaration of Hardship, which tenants must provide to their landlord in order to be protected under the State legislation. The City has also developed a flyer that provides information on Concord’s Residential Tenant Protection Program and relocation payment requirements.
A Spanish translation will be available shortly.
Additional CA COVID‐19 Rent Relief Available to Income Eligible Households
Contra Costa County has partnered with the State of California to develop a Countywide Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) pursuant to Assembly Bill 832. For more information on AB 832, please click on the State Legislation tab below. Income eligible households who need financial assistance for unpaid rent and utilities may apply for help through the CA COVID‐19 Rent Relief program. Tenants may apply directly or landlords may apply on behalf of their tenants.
If you are a tenant or a landlord whose tenants have experienced a financial hardship due to COVID‐19, have past due rent or utilities, and have a household income that is not more than 80% of the area median income (currently $109,600 for a family of four), you may be eligible for assistance. Tenants and landlords can verify eligibility by visiting the Housing Is Key website at housing.ca.gov or by calling (833) 430‐2122.
Landlords who participate in the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program can get reimbursed for up to 100% of an eligible renter’s unpaid rent dating back to April 1, 2020. Eligible renters whose landlords choose not to participate in the program may apply on their own and receive assistance for up to 100% of the unpaid rent dating back to April 1, 2020. Financial assistance for upcoming monthly rent is also available.
Eligible renters may receive assistance for unpaid utility payments dating back to April 1, 2020, and/or for future utility payments. Utility payments will be compensated at 100% of cost, limited to a total of 12 months, and paid directly to the utility provider.
To check eligibility and review the required application items, visit the Housing is Key website at housing.ca.gov. All necessary information and verification items will be required for applications to be processed. Once an application has been processed, both the landlord and tenant will be notified about the application status and next steps.
A Spanish translation will be available shortly.
Attention Local Residential Landlords!
(April 15, 2021) The City of Concord and Diablo Valley Federal Credit Union have partnered to provide a Rent Recovery Loan Program to help people who may have experienced difficulty paying their rent on time due to economic disruptions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The program is designed to help tenants and landlords eliminate or reduce back rent owed by providing a low-cost loan of up to $6,000 to tenants who owe back rent.
To qualify for the loan, tenants must demonstrate an ability to repay the loan in monthly installments over five years, and to execute a loan agreement. The loan proceeds are made payable directly to the landlord to cover back rent.
The landlords, in turn, agree not to evict the tenants due to back rent. If the borrowers default on the loan payments to the credit union, the credit union will assign the unpaid balance to the City for collection.
Benefits for the landlord:
· Receive up to $6,000 in back rent owed
· Tenants who do not qualify for Federal aid may quality for this program
· No payment plans to keep track of- everything is handled by the Credit Union
To learn more about this program, check out these FAQs and visit www.diablovalleyfcu.org
Contra Costa County Urgency Ordinance provides protections for residential tenants that are in addition to the protections provided under the State Act (AB 832). The County was already experiencing a homelessness and home affordability crisis before the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic and related government orders and guidance are causing and likely will continue to cause significant disruption to local businesses and the local economy. The County Board of Supervisors enacted this temporary ban to prevent further homelessness and protect the health, safety, and welfare of its residents. For more information, please visit the County's Urgency Ordinance website.
ORDENANZA DE URGENCIA DEL CONDADO DE CONTRA COSTA
La Ordenanza de Urgencia del Condado de Contra Costa proporciona protecciones para los inquilinos residenciales que se suman a las protecciones previstas en la Ley del Estado (AB 832). El Condado ya estaba experimentando una crisis de personas sin vivienda y asequibilidad a la vivienda antes de la pandemia COVID-19. La pandemia COVID-19 y las relacionadas órdenes y normas gubernamentales están causando y probablemente seguirán causando problemas significativos a las empresas locales y a la economía local. La Junta de Supervisores del Condado promulgó esta prohibición temporal para prevenir más faltas de vivienda y proteger la salud, seguridad y bienestar de sus residentes. Para obtener más información, visite el sitio web de la Ordenanza de Urgencia del Condado.
AB 832: THE CALIFORNIA COVID-19 TENANT RELIEF ACT
On June 28, 2021, Governor Newsom signed AB 832, the California COVID-19 Tenant Relief Act, which extends the eviction protections of SB 91 to September 30, 2021. AB 832 extends substantial protections from evictions for all residential tenants impacted by COVID-19, including prohibitions on evicting a resident impacted by COVID-19 who has failed to make rental payments provided certain requirements of the law are met. It applies to all residential tenants (including mobile home tenants) regardless of immigration status.
From March 1, 2020 to August 31, 2020: A landlord may not evict a resident for non-payment of rent if the resident provides the landlord with a declaration of hardship under penalty of perjury stating their finances have been negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
From September 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021: A landlord may not evict a resident for non-payment of rent if the tenant returns a declaration of hardship under penalty of perjury and pays at least 25% of the rent due anytime between September 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021.
AB 832 requires that rent repayment for back rent due must begin at least by May 1, 2022, and must end no later than May 31, 2023, regardless of the number of months a tenant is in arrears. While it provides eviction protection provisions for tenants, it is not rent forgiveness and unpaid rent due is converted into consumer debt.
To access AB 832 and its full text, please visit the California Legislative Information website.
The City’s Legislative flyer is available, as well as a sample Hardship Declaration form.
Rent assistance is available through the State’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program. To check eligibility and review the required application items, visit the Housing is Key website at housing.ca.gov.
Please note, AB 832 requires landlords to serve an Informational Notice about the extension on all residents who as of July 1, 2021 owe rental payments due on or after March 1, 2020. This Notice must be served by July 31, 2021.
A Spanish translation will be available shortly.
Residential Tenant Protection Program
CITY COUNCIL ADOPTS RESIDENTIAL TENANT PROTECTION PROGRAM EFFECTIVE AUGUST 28, 2020
UPDATED AUGUST 25, 2020
Concord City Council has adopted an Ordinance amending Concord Municipal Code Chapter 19.40 (Residential Rent Review Program ) and Development Code (Title 19) to repeal the Residential Rent Review Program and to replace it with a Residential Tenant Protection Program that allows for, among other things: relocation assistance for no-fault just cause evictions; requires that a tenant be provided a written lease with the appropriate minimum lease terms; and sunsets on January 1, 2030.
A copy of the Ordinance can be found here.
A copy of the Program flyer can be found here.
All rental property owners subject to the Ordinance must provide a written notice to their tenants of the Residential Tenant Protection Program. Notice shall be provided as described below. A copy of the Notice can be found here.
For any tenancy commenced or renewed on or after August 28, 2020, as an addendum to the lease or rental agreement, or as a written notice signed by the tenant, with a copy provided to the tenant.
For a tenancy existing prior to August 28, 2020, by written notice to the tenant no later than October 1, 2020, or as an addendum to the lease or rental agreement.
PROVISIONS OF THE ORDINANCE
Relocation Assistance
Relocation Assistance Amount – Landlord must provide two times the current monthly contract rent or $5,000, whichever is greater.
Relocation Assistance Criteria for Unit Type – Use AB 1482 criteria: The law requires landlords to pay relocation assistance in the event of No-Fault Just Cause evictions. No-Fault Just Cause includes:
- Compliance with a government order or a local ordinance that requires vacation of the unit;
- Removal of the rental unit from the marketplace;
- Intent to demolish or substantially remodel the unit; or
- Intent to occupy the residential property or for specified family members of the landlord to occupy the property (only if the tenant agrees to such termination or if the lease allows for unilateral termination).
Minimum Lease Terms
12 month or 6 month minimum lease term –Provide tenants and landlords the opportunity to secure 12 months of rent security at the commencement of rent term. If tenant rejects 12 month lease, landlord will offer the tenant a 6 month lease. If tenant rejects a 6 month lease, a shorter term lease can negotiated. Renewals of leases will follow the procedure outlined above with the exception of shorter term leases, where 12 month and 6 month minimum lease terms will not be required to be re-offered. Lease Agreements must be made in writing and signed by both the tenant and landlord.
Sunset Provision
Sunset Provision in Ordinance –January 1, 2030, concurrent with AB 1482’s sunset.
EL CONCILIO DE LA CIUDAD ADOPTA EL PROGRAMA DE PROTECCIÓN DE INQUILINOS RESIDENCIALES A PARTIR DEL 28 DE AGOSTO DEL 2020
ACTUALIZADO EL 25 DE AGOSTO DEL 2020
El Concilio de la Ciudad de Concord ha adoptado una Ordenanza que modifica el Código Municipal de Concord Capítulo 19.40 (Programa de Revisión de Alquiler Residencial) y el Código de Desarrollo (Título 19) para anular el Programa de Revisión de Alquiler Residencial y reemplazarlo por un Programa de Protección de Inquilinos Residenciales que permita, entre otras cosas: asistencia de reubicación por desalojo por falta de causa justa; requerir que un inquilino tenga un contrato de arrendamiento por escrito con los términos mínimos de arrendamiento apropiados; y la cual vence el 1 de enero del 2030.
Una copia de la Ordenanza se puede encontrar aquí.
Una copia del folleto del Programa se puede encontrar aquí.
Todos los propietarios de propiedades de alquiler sujetos a la Ordenanza deben proporcionar una notificación por escrito a sus inquilinos del Programa de Protección de Inquilinos Residenciales. Un aviso se proporcionará tal como se describe a continuación. Una copia del Aviso se puede encontrar aquí.
Para cualquier arrendamiento iniciado o renovado a partir del 28 de agosto del 2020, como complemento al contrato de arrendamiento o alquiler, o como una notificación por escrito firmada por el inquilino, con una copia proporcionada al inquilino.
Para un arrendamiento existente antes del 28 de agosto del 2020, mediante notificación escrita al inquilino a más tardar el 1 de octubre del 2020, o como complemento al contrato de arrendamiento o alquiler.
DISPOSICIONES DE LA ORDENANZA
Asistencia para reubicación
Monto de Asistencia de Reubicación – El Propietario debe proporcionar dos veces el alquiler del contrato mensual actual o $5,000, lo que sea mayor.
Criterios de Asistencia de Reubicación para el Tipo de Unidad – Utilice los criterios AB 1482: La ley requiere que los propietarios paguen asistencia de reubicación en caso de desalojos sin causa justa. La causa justa sin falta incluye:
- Cumplimiento de una orden gubernamental o una ordenanza local que requiere el salir de la unidad;
- Retiro de la unidad de alquiler del mercado;
- Intención de demoler o remodelar sustancialmente la unidad; O
- Intención de ocupar la propiedad residencial o para que los miembros específicos de la familia del arrendador ocupen la propiedad (sólo si el inquilino acepta dicha terminación o si el contrato de arrendamiento permite la terminación unilateral).
Términos mínimos de arrendamiento
Plazo de arrendamiento mínimo de 12 meses o 6 meses –Proporciona a los inquilinos y propietarios la oportunidad de asegurar 12 meses de seguridad de alquiler al comienzo del período de alquiler. Si el inquilino rechaza el contrato de arrendamiento de 12 meses, el arrendador ofrecerá al inquilino un contrato de arrendamiento de 6 meses. Si el inquilino rechaza un contrato de arrendamiento de 6 meses, se puede negociar un contrato de arrendamiento a corto plazo. Las renovaciones de arrendamientos seguirán el procedimiento descrito anteriormente, con la excepción de los contratos de arrendamiento a corto plazo, donde no se requerirán plazos de arrendamiento mínimos de 12 meses y 6 meses para ser re-ofrecidos. Los contratos de arrendamiento deben hacerse por escrito y firmados tanto por el inquilino como por el arrendador.
Disposición por Vencimiento
Disposición por Vencimiento en la Ordenanza – 1 de enero del 2030, simultáneamente con el vencimiento de la AB 1482.
Contra Costa County has partnered with the State of California to develop a Countywide Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) pursuant to Assembly Bill 832. Income eligible households who need financial assistance for unpaid rent and utilities may apply for help through the CA COVID‐19 Rent Relief program. Tenants may apply directly or landlords may apply on behalf of their tenants.
If you are a tenant or a landlord whose tenants have experienced a financial hardship due to COVID‐19, have past due rent or utilities, and have a household income that is not more than 80% of the area median income (currently $109,600 for a family of four), you may be eligible for assistance. Tenants and landlords can verify eligibility by visiting housing.ca.gov or by calling (833) 430‐2122.
Landlords who participate in the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program can get reimbursed for up to 100% of an eligible renter’s unpaid rent dating back to April 1, 2020. Eligible renters whose landlords choose not to participate in the program may apply on their own and receive assistance for up to 100% of the unpaid rent dating back to April 1, 2020. Financial assistance for upcoming monthly rent is also available.
Eligible renters may receive assistance for unpaid utility payments dating back to April 1, 2020, or for future utility payments, which will both be compensated at 100% of cost, limited to a total of 12 months, and paid directly to the utility provider.
To check eligibility and review the required application items, visit housing.ca.gov. All necessary information and verification items will be required for applications to be processed. Once an application has been processed, both the landlord and tenant will be notified about the application status and next steps.
A Spanish translation will be available shortly.