California Law Extends Response Time for Renters Facing Eviction

A new California law taking effect January 1 will offer renters at risk of eviction some respite, reports Felicia Mello for CALmatters.

Researchers estimate that roughly 40 percent of California tenants who face eviction lose their cases for not responding quickly enough. “The law doubles the time tenants have to respond after receiving an eviction notice from five business days to ten. Lawyers who work with renters say that what may seem like a minor procedural change could make a big difference in allowing people to stay in their homes.”

As Mello explains, “Access to legal services varies widely across California. San Francisco guarantees legal representation to any tenant facing eviction, and in other cities like Oakland and Los Angeles, robust networks of pro-bono lawyers help renters file responses. But Californians who live in so-called ‘legal deserts’ – often in rural areas – must travel many miles to meet with an attorney.” Nationwide, less than 5 percent of renters facing eviction have legal aid. Meanwhile, roughly 80 percent of landlords have legal representation.