(a) Before October 1, 2021, a court may not find a tenant guilty of an unlawful detainer unless it finds that one of the following applies:

(1) The tenant was guilty of the unlawful detainer before March 1, 2020.

Terms Used In California Code of Civil Procedure 1179.03.5

  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
  • Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.
  • Property: includes both personal and real property. See California Code of Civil Procedure 17
  • Real property: Land, and all immovable fixtures erected on, growing on, or affixed to the land.

(2) In response to service of a notice demanding payment of COVID-19 rental debt pursuant to subdivision (e) of § 798.56 of the Civil Code or paragraph (2) or (3) of Section 1161, the tenant failed to comply with the requirements of Section 1179.03.

(3) (A) The unlawful detainer arises because of a termination of tenancy for any of the following:

(i) An at-fault just cause, as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of § 1946.2 of the Civil Code.

(ii) (I) A no-fault just cause, as defined in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of § 1946.2 of the Civil Code, other than intent to demolish or to substantially remodel the residential real property, as defined in subparagraph (D) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) of Section 1946.2.

(II) Notwithstanding subclause (I), termination of a tenancy based on intent to demolish or to substantially remodel the residential real property shall be permitted if necessary to maintain compliance with the requirements of § 1941.1 of the Civil Code, Section 17920.3 or 17920.10 of the Health and Safety Code, or any other applicable law governing the habitability of residential rental units.

(iii) The owner of the property has entered into a contract for the sale of that property with a buyer who intends to occupy the property, and all the requirements of paragraph (8) of subdivision (e) of § 1946.2 of the Civil Code have been satisfied.

(B) In an action under this paragraph, other than an action to which paragraph (2) also applies, the landlord shall be precluded from recovering COVID-19 rental debt in connection with any award of damages.

(b) (1) This section does not require a landlord to assist the tenant to relocate through the payment of relocation costs if the landlord would not otherwise be required to do so pursuant to § 1946.2 of the Civil Code or any other law.

(2) A landlord who is required to assist the tenant to relocate pursuant to § 1946.2 of the Civil Code or any other law, may offset the tenant’s COVID-19 rental debt against their obligation to assist the tenant to relocate.

(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 27, Sec. 16. (AB 832) Effective June 28, 2021. Repealed as of October 1, 2025, pursuant to Section 1179.07.)

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