California Issues New Emergency Rules Regarding Evictions

San Diego

California has issues new emergency rules regarding tenant-landlord communication. The new rules effectively prohibit evictions by preventing the courts from issuing a summons on any unlawful detainer complaint. This applies to both commercial and residential properties.

“The California Judicial Council issued new Emergency Rules of Court in response to COVID-19.  Emergency Rule Number 1 prevents California courts from issuing a summons on any unlawful detainer complaint, unless necessary to protect public health and safety,” Jamie Altman Buggy, an attorney at Crosbie Gliner Schiffman Southard & Swanson, tells GlobeSt.com. “Because a court-issued summons is necessary for valid service of an unlawful detainer complaint, the practical implication of this rule is that California has banned all evictions during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. This rule will last until 90 days after California ends its state of emergency or until the Judicial Council amends or repeals the emergency rules.”