California has passed a new law that changes how landlords handle evictions for nonpayment of rent. The Social Security Tenant Protection Act of 2025 allows tenants to claim a defense if their Social Security benefits are interrupted. This applies to retirement, disability, or supplemental income. If payments are delayed, reduced, or stopped through no fault of the tenant, they can assert a hardship defense in court.
As a result, landlords filing an unlawful detainer (UD) action must recognize the tenant’s claim. Courts will stay eviction proceedings until either the tenant’s Social Security payments resume or six months pass, whichever comes first. Once payments resume, tenants have 14 days to pay the past-due rent or arrange a payment plan with the landlord. While the law pauses eviction proceedings during hardship, it does not forgive the debt.
For multifamily investors, this change carries important implications. Evictions may take longer if tenants assert Social Security hardship, and landlords must be prepared to implement payment plans once benefits resume. Therefore, reviewing leases, eviction procedures, and cash-flow projections is crucial, especially for portfolios with tenants relying on fixed income.
Overall, the law is temporary and will expire in January 2029. Nevertheless, it represents a major shift in the eviction landscape for California landlords. By understanding and complying with these new protections, investors can avoid legal complications and maintain smooth property management across their multifamily holdings.
Questions? Contact the TIG Team!
Click on a contact card below to email one of our team members directly.
