Renter evictions banned in California until June 1

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 16: California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a a news conference about the state’s efforts on the homelessness crisis on January 16, 2020 in Oakland, California. Newsom was joined by Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf to announce that Oakland will receive 15 unused FEMA trailers for the city to use as temporary housing and as mobile health and social services clinics for the homeless. Newsom signed on executive order on January 8 to deploy 100 trailers and crisis response teams to areas in need across the state. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Posted: Mar 27, 2020 / 06:56 PM CDT

Updated: Mar 27, 2020 / 06:57 PM CDT

LOS ANGELES (KTLA)- Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Friday suspending the enforcement of eviction orders statewide through May 31 for renters suffering financially because of the coronavirus.

Landlords won’t be able to force tenants out for not paying rent, but the tenant must submit a letter on how the outbreak has impacted their ability to pay within seven days of their rent being due, according to a news release from the governor’s office.

Renters will still have to pay what they owe “in a timely manner” to prevent being evicted when the order expires, Newsom said.

The order also blocks police and the court system from enforcing evictions.

It follows a similar measure issued by Newsom earlier this month allowing local governments to put their own eviction bans in place.

But speaking in Los Angeles Friday afternoon, Newsom said he decided to issue a statewide rule because only 30 jurisdictions had put their own in place.

It’s unclear whether the order applies to residential and commercial tenants alike.