SF eviction moratorium protects tenants accruing Covid-related rental debt post-July 2022

Many tenants are not aware that San Francisco’s eviction moratorium related to Covid rental debt is still in effect as of February 2023. Here is guidance from the City’s website:

Local Eviction Protections for Tenants Beginning July 1, 2022

Landlords and tenants should be aware that Mayor Breed signed legislation that prohibits landlords from evicting residential tenants for non-payment of rent that originally came due on or after July 1, 2022 and was not paid due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which is still ongoing. It also prohibits landlords from imposing late fees, penalties, or similar charges on tenants who are unable to pay their post-July 2022 rent due to COVID-19.

Please note that pandemic-impacted tenants with past-due rent that came due between July 1, 2022 and the end of the local state of emergency are permanently protected against eviction for non-payment of rent that came due during this period of time, even after the Mayor terminates her COVID-19 Emergency Proclamation.

This legislation does not protect tenants against eviction if the rental debt was incurred prior to July 1, 2022.