The Alameda City Council has taken action to protect residential and commercial tenants from being evicted for non-payment of rent due to a substantial loss of income/revenue because of COVID-19, owner move-in, or capital improvement project.
The Council has prohibited landlords from shutting off utilities except in case of an emergency or as part of an “essential activity” as defined in the Alameda County shelter in place order (and then, only the shortest time as possible to conduct the essential activity).
These protections are in place as of March 1, 2020, and will remain in place for 30 days after the declared state of emergency is over. Both residential and commercial tenants will then have 180 days to catch up on any deferred rent that was not paid from March 1, 2020 to 30 days following the end of the local emergency declaration.
- For residents, a substantial loss of income is defined as a reduction in income of 20 percent or more, due to loss of employment or a reduction in work hours, extraordinary medical costs, or extraordinary childcare needs.
- For businesses, a substantial loss of revenue equates to a 20 percent reduction in revenues, for example, from paying employees to remain off work or reducing business operations to comply with the shelter in place order, or shutting a business down completely.
On April 21, 2020, the City Council adopted an urgency ordinance that freezes rent increases for residential rent controlled units in Alameda (generally, multi-family units built before 1995).
For households of a certain income, you may receive free legal services and more information on how these Urgency Ordinances protect you by contacting Centro Legal De Le Raza at 510-437-1554.
The Alameda City Attorney Office’s Prosecution Unit represents the People of the State of California in misdemeanor criminal matters referred by law enforcement agencies, such as the Alameda Police Department or Code Enforcement Division. City Prosecutors are further charged with bringing affirmative litigation, in coordination with the District Attorney’s Office, in response to violations of consumer protection and fair housing laws, and protecting consumers against fraud and unfair business practices. If you have additional questions, please contact the City Attorney’s Office’s Prosecution Unit at 510-747-4772, or email cityprosecutor@alamedacityattorney.org.
Information for Tenants of City-Owned Buildings
Please click here for more information for tenants of City-owned buildings.