Following discussion at a City Council meeting on March 26, Culver City has moved to extend a temporary moratorium on evictions of residential and commercial tenants relating to the COVID-19 crisis.

"Loss of income as a result of COVID-19 may inhibit City residents and businesses from fulfilling their financial obligations," reads the order, which was issued on March 27 by City Manager John Nachbar. "As a result, further economic impacts are anticipated leaving both residential and commercial tenants vulnerable to eviction."

The new order extends extends the sunset date of an existing ban enacted on march 16 from April 19 to May 31. Exceptions to the ban include instances of:

nonpayment of rent where the tenant cannot claim an inability to pay;

use of the rental unit for illegal purpose or failure to correct condition after being given notice and opportunity to cure;

refusal to allow the owner to enter the rental unit as allowed by law, except in cases where the occupant has been ordered to self isolate;

creation of a dangerous or unsanitary condition that has not been promptly abated or repaired;

cases where eviction is necessary to address imminent and objectively verifiable threat to the health or safety of a member of the tenant's household or other residents of the property.

Tenants are to be given a period of six months following the expiration of the order to repay any back rent. Landlords are prohibited from charging or collective late fees during the period in which the order is in effect - violations may be punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 or imprisonment for up to six months.

Other cities that have moved to tamp down on evictions during the COVID-19 outbreak include Santa Monica, Long Beach, West Hollywood, and Los Angeles.