For the past year, CAA has heard from members in Alameda County about the burdens of the county’s eviction moratorium. This moratorium prevents a rental property owner from recovering possession of their rental units in all but the most limited cases, even prohibiting landlords from terminating a tenancy when the tenant has failed to pay rent or otherwise live up to the obligations of their rental agreement.

Making a bad situation worse, the county has failed to swiftly distribute more than $100 million in rental assistance funds it received from the federal government to help property owners.

To address this issue, CAA is leading an effort to hold the county accountable through a legal challenge to its eviction moratorium. It’s time for the courts to prohibit the county from allowing tenants to live rent free, regardless of whether they’ve been financially affected by COVID-19.

CAA needs your help. For the greatest chance of success in court, rental property owners who have suffered harm from the county’s eviction moratorium must participate as plaintiffs. Alameda County’s eviction moratorium is the most aggressive in California and unlikely to end anytime soon.

If you have experienced any of the following related to a rental property in Alameda County, CAA would like to hear from you:

• Your tenant has not paid rent for multiple months, and you have not received rental assistance.
• Your tenant is disturbing the peace and quiet enjoyment of the rental property.
• You are being blocked from conducting an owner move-in or Ellis Act eviction because of the moratorium.

Please email your story to membership@caanet.org. If your situation appears to support CAA’s legal challenge, a member of CAA’s legal team will contact you to discuss your circumstances and how you might participate in our efforts.