Anonymous
Source: County of Santa Barbara
[On Tuesday], the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a moratorium on evictions of residential tenants who live in the unincorporated areas of Santa Barbara County during this local emergency period due to circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The unanimous vote by the Board of Supervisors in support of the Eviction Moratorium sends a strong message to the community that we are all in this together,” said Gregg Hart, Chair of the Board. “This is a benefit to not only residents, but also to businesses struggling during this difficult time. Banning evictions is an extraordinary act to match the unparalleled nature of this pandemic.”
This Urgency Ordinance prohibits and suspends evictions arising from loss of income or substantial medical expenses related to COVID-19, Coronavirus pandemic, until May 31, 2020 or until the Santa Barbara County local health emergency proclamation is terminated, whichever is earlier. This Urgency Ordinance does not relieve a tenant’s obligations to pay rent or restrict a landlord’s ability to recover rent due in the future.
“People who can pay rent should pay rent, but we cannot allow people to get evicted at a time when it will spread the sickness and endanger us all,” said First District Supervisor Das Williams.
Federal, state and local assistance programs are available to small business owners, employers, employees and residents. The County is organizing the information that will be hosted on a website launching later this week to help our community recover from economic and emotional impacts associated with the pandemic.
Information specific to the public health emergency can be accessed by phone and online at:
- County Public Health (PHD): www.PublicHealthSBC.org
- PHD Twitter, PHD Facebook
- County Twitter, County Facebook
- County Call Center: (833) 688-5551, 9a.m.- 6p.m.
- 2-1-1 Call Center: Dial 211 or outside the (805) area code, call toll free to
(800) 400-1572 - PHD Recorded Information Line: (805) 681-4373
- Behavioral Wellness 24/7 Access Line: (888) 868-1649
This is just another reason to not get into the rental housing business.
My tenant’s parents signed the lease. SBCC is all online now. The back rent owed = $5,000. As of the 1st the debt rises. Tenant ought to go back to live with parents (up north). Now I’m stuck with this freeloader?
Excuses, excuses. Just prior to Covid, parents said student loan fell through because the student failed math class, but still promised to pay me. Nicest people, but this debt . . . I cannot continue to be so understanding. Feel like a fool for trusting them.
I used to have long term tenants, never again for precisely this type of reason.
If back rent is $5k, how the heck much are you charging for one student? Maybe this will help landlords rethink their astronomical rents… and if you can’t afford to own a property without relying on renters, perhaps you should rethink that, too.
Yeah. I’ve been waiting for the update from the state to come out and delay property taxes but so far they’re still demanding their payout, nevermind that tons of us are out of work or facing impending financial doom.
Yes, let’s protect the renters and home owners from landlords and banks, just be sure you get that property tax check sent to the County by the 10th or we will take your home and……yep, evict you.
They will not.
GOOD! —- This is good. I am lucky because I have a lovely landlord who I really like and respect, truly good people, not out to rip anyone off for a buck… I count my blessings every day for this, but other people may not have that. I lost my job due to this virus and I’m afraid my restauarant might not open back up. I worked there for 23 years! Many of us in the same boat. STOP THE EVICTIONS! Don’t let anyone lose thier home on top of losing a job to Covid-19. It isn’t fair, and we need unusual measures for unusual times. This is major.
If tenants stop paying landlords, then what is the next domino to fall? Landlords stop paying mortgages? If the county says landlords don’t have to be paid anymore, then I say the county does not need to be paid anymore either. Property tax should be suspended immediately!