Description: Although Assembly Bill 3088 protects residential tenants who meet certain requirement from being evicted for nonpayment of rent due between March 1, 2020, and January 31, 2021, it does not relieve those tenants from liability for that debt. The tenants still owe the rent due, and landlords can sue to recover it. In order to provide expeditious and inexpensive resolution of actions for payment of COVID-19 rental debt, AB 3088 provides the option of litigating such disputes in small claims court, even when the amount claimed is over the jurisdictional limits that otherwise pertain to that court. This new option to go to small claims court may be exercised beginning March 1, 2021 and will remain in effect until February 1, 2025. The Civil and Small Claim Advisory Committee recommends revisions to Plaintiff's Claim and ORDER to Go to Small Claims Court (form SC-100) to reflect the exception to the jurisdictional limits for such cases, and approval of a new information sheet related to them, COVID-19 Rental Debt in Small Claims Court (form SC-110-INFO). Comments must be submitted by December 23, 2020 5:00 PM (Pacific)

Category: Civil and Small Claims

Item Number: SP20-10

Deadline: December 23, 2020

File: sp20-10.pdf