California Rent Relief - Any recourse?

Question

Hey all

I apologize if I missed this.  I didn't notice anything pop up after a short search, but I'm sure there's something there if I dig for it more effectively.  Anyway, I'm trying to fill out the application for rent relief and am being told that I can't submit an application if my tenant will not fill out the application with me.  Essentially, my tenant took free rent for 8-10 months and recently did a runner.  They cut off communication with us months ago.

Do I have any recourse?  Is this real?  California has decided that I have to house someone for free for an extended length of time and then I can only get reimbursed if the person that stole from me okays it?

Please tell me I'm missing something!  I'd love any suggestions or a more informed explanation.

Thanks

Scott England · Answer

All California based REI capital is welcome in Oklahoma.  Live there, invest here, everyone’s happy.

Nathan Gesner · Answer

If the Tenant refuses to participate then that demonstrates they are not subject to the protections afforded renters that were impacted by COVID. You can still take them to court and seek a judgment for money owed. If they are still in the property, you can still seek an eviction for non-payment of rent.

It may be worth it to consult an experienced attorney.

Bruce Woodruff · Answer

Its not happening all over America. Only in states like Cali, New York, Etc. But the residents of these states voted for this kind of behavior.

Kelsey Bailey · Answer

From our experience as property managers several of our owners have actually received their back rent payments, it took a month or two after all of the paperwork was submitted. I'd recommend doing your portion of the application and log emails/records of you continually reaching out to the tenants to try and get them to do their portion. That way when you do get to court for the money owed it is clear you tried to utilize the resources and the tenants did not comply. You do not want to pursue the funds in court without having tried to do through the rent relief, it is a requirement.

Roop Dhillon · Answer

We’re in the same boat (I’m in the Sacramento region). We had 1 tenant that stopped paying rent about 10 months ago and we can’t even get a hold of her. The other tenant did fill out the rental relief assistance form (that was about 6 months ago) but we haven’t seen any money come from the state.

Greg M. · Answer

You are correct, the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program requires the tenant to cooperate. The renter has to answer a couple of questions and provide a 2020 tax return, pay stub, or proof of enrollment in unemployment. It only takes a couple of minutes.

If you can find a way to contact them, it should be easy to convince them to fill out the paperwork instead of you suing them for the back rent.

At the speed the state is currently paying landlords, you might have to wait over a year to get paid.

Bruce Woodruff · Answer

That's good ole Cali.......Sorry I can't offer any help.....I finally just left.

Chad Demoss · Answer

Thanks for the replyThe issue is that the rent relief keeps telling me its pending so I don't think that counts as no activity. I actually am going to evict for a different reason. My tenant apparently has 6 dogs and some cats over there and the lease says 2 dogs. She responded by saying when I moved in you said that the cats weren't a problem which I never said or couldn't imagine I would of said, it's not written anywhere. The dogs she hasn't replied back and most likely will deny and just move them if I come over. My next stop is a lawyer so I do this the right way.

Roop Dhillon · Answer

Hi Chad, we have a tenant like this and our property manager has said if there's no activity on the rent relief application for the last 20 days, then we can proceed with eviction. So we've started the eviction process for this tenant.

Chad Demoss · Answer

I got the initial rent relief in California and my lazy tenant is taking that as a free ride tell god knows when. I applied in may and got paid for rents jan-may 2021. It only took 1 month to process me and pay me for that. Now its December and I haven't been paid for half a year. they already have all my information all the tenants information but nothing is moving. the part that pisses me off is every time I call they won't give me any information. They won't give me the case managers information, someone emailed me asking for my ledger which I sent 3 months ago and now they want it again as if they lost the first one. I emailed this person back but they will not respond. All I want to do now is evict my tenant but i'm in the program so I cant evict anyone for non-payment while i'm stuck in limbo.I think you can evict them now. I actually think you could of evicted them for not participating in the program they have to provide a letter to you within like 2 weeks saying why they need relief. I'm no lawyer but one could clear this up.

California Rent Relief - Any recourse?

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