For many students, college is the first time that they are responsible for organizing their own living situations. It can be hard to know what to look for when searching for a place to live, and it can be challenging to know what renters and landlords can and cannot do in these situations. ASI Student Government wants to provide students the resources they need to be successful as a member of the community and minimize confusion as much as possible.
In this series of Renters’ Rights, students will have access to various resources that clarify their rights as a renter when it comes to security deposits, evictions, broken appliances, living condition expectations, and landlord responsibilities. As members of the San Luis Obispo community, it is important to ensure that all students understand how they can interact with their community while ensuring they feel safe and protected. This year’s Renters’ Rights campaign also includes information on housing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19 Renters’ Rights Updates:
If COVID-19 has impacted your ability to pay rent on time in San Luis Obispo, you can:
- Submit a notice to your landlord no more than 7 days after the rent is due.
- You must provide documentation (letter of employment termination, illness, etc.) that you are unable to pay the rent.
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- This protects renters from being evicted for not paying rent for the month of April 2020. Renters cannot be evicted until June 1, 2020 if the reason for not paying rent is COVID-19.
- Renters are required to pay the owed money in a timely manner once the COVID-19 protection is lifted. Even though landlords cannot legally evict a tenant for failing to pay rent for the month of April until June 1, 2020, the rent is still expected to be paid once the tenant is able to.
- If you have failed to pay rent prior to COVID-19, your landlord still has reason to evict you because the failure to pay rent was not protected.
Please note that this information is subject to change due to the nature of COVID-19. For the most updated information, visit Ready SLO.
Follow @calpolyasi on Instagram and look out for the Renters’ Rights campaign running from May 4–8. The following topics will be addressed, and information will be available in an Instagram Story highlight after the campaign concludes.
- What do I look for when researching a potential residence?
- How do I know if I fully understand my contract with my landlord?
- How do I fix unlivable conditions on the property?
- When will I get my security deposit back/when will it be used?
- What happens if I do not receive my security deposit back after the 21-day period?
- What happens if something breaks on the property?
- Can my landlord enter the residence whenever they want?
- What happens if my landlord violates the access rules?
- How do I know if I will be evicted?
- If I am an undocumented student, what do I do if U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement approaches me or comes to my door?
For additional resources, please visit the following:
