During the Covid-19 pandemic, restrictions on evictions and/or increases in rent were imposed,
at various times, by the Center for Disease Control, the State of California, and individual
California counties.  The restrictions imposed by the CDC have already expired, and the eviction
moratorium restrictions imposed by the State of California are largely set to expire on September
30th.

Beginning in April 2020, Contra Costa County prohibited evictions of residential and some
commercial real property tenants in the county impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, and
established a moratorium on certain rent increases. That moratorium was subsequently extended,
through September 30, 2021. On September 21, 2021, the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa
County voted to allow the emergency ordinance to terminate after September 30th.

That means that as of October 1, 2021, landlords in Contra Costa County may begin serving
Notices to Pay Rent or Quit, upon tenants who are not paying rent.

However, if the Notice to Pay Rent or Quit is based on rent which accrued prior to September 30,
2021, the landlord is required to use a specific form of notice and there are still certain COVID-
19 protections afforded to the tenant for unpaid rent which accrued prior to September 30, 2021.

Additionally, for all rent which accrues between October 1, 2021 and March 30, 2022, a landlord
will not be granted a termination of tenancy by the court unless the landlord shows she or he has
attempted to obtain rental assistance under the state Emergency Rental Assistance Program and
the application has been denied, or the tenant has failed to comply with application deadlines.

In Contra Costa County, the Board of Supervisors unanimously agreed to authorize the County
Administrator to enter into an agreement with the California Business Consumer Services and
Housing Agency to administer federal emergency rental assistance program funds. According to
the County, the program’s next round of funding could provide more than $70 million in relief to
a county households that are behind on rent or utilities.

As always, it is very important that you consult an attorney for advice on your specific legal
situation.