We've done a lot of commiserating and empathizing with rental housing providers throughout the pandemic but the light at the end of the tunnel was never in clear sight. Until now.

Our community of rental housing providers wouldn't have the stomach to handle yet another extension of the eviction moratorium, but neither is there any appetite for Sacramento politicians to prolong the misery of cash-strapped landlords.

By adjourning for the year without any further meddling with moratoria, the statewide ban on nonpayment of rent evictions will expire on September 30.

Governor Gavin Newsom could call for a special legislative session to extend the moratorium, but this is unlikely. Holding off recall attempts with flying colors, the reinvigorated Governor will look to advance an ambitious agenda, but he has not signaled that infinite tenant protections are on the list of action items.

September 30 also marks the date for many of you when certain properties may no longer be governed by "just cause" eviction protections. What this means is that owners of single-family homes, condominiums, and newer buildings can choose not to renew a tenancy. Exceptions apply - please contact our office for clarity before acting.

What we would like landlords and property managers to do now is put together a tidy file that documents all of the notices that have been served to date, correspondence with tenants who have missed all or a portion of the rent, a ledger that chronicles dates on which rent was paid and the dollar amounts, any printouts relating to the status of rental assistance applications, and so forth.

We want to forensically look at the rental relationship throughout the long course of the pandemic so that together, we can strategize and have an informed conversation on how to move forward once the page is turned.

It is going to be a turbulent transition, but through careful study, patience, good organization, and the use of some diplomacy with tenants, we will get over the hump.