In which rent is free for everyone but the property owner

Thanks to Oakland's 2020-established eviction moratorium, a tenant has been living for three years in a 3-bedroom, 1-bath completely on landlord John Williams' dime. And he can't evict her because—Covid. CBS News explores yet another case of “tenant protections” going overboard and hurting honest, everyday people trying to make a living.

Oakland is one of the last cities in the Bay Area hanging on to its eviction moratorium, which was introduced during the pandemic to protect tenants from eviction.

Many mom-and-pop landlords claim their tenants are taking advantage of the policy, leaving them at risk of losing their livelihoods.

"I'm back due some rent ... $56,000 over the last three years from my tenant," said John Williams, as he read a sign he plans to bring to Oakland City Hall Tuesday....

He said the woman living there never provided any proof of a COVID-related hardship. The tenant has been living rent-free with two children at the property for three years....

Currently, Oakland landlords cannot evict tenants over COVID-related rent debt. During the pandemic, Williams tried to sell his property but said he was ultimately unsuccessful due to the tenant's occupancy.

Williams also said he had offered to forgive all of the woman's back rent, if she would just move out. He said she declined that offer.

"Those kind of folks who are abusing and the fraud in the system. Those kind of tenants should not be covered by the tenant protections," said Williams. "I'm totally here for the tenant protections, but when it's unlawful such as this case is, I think that should be a reasoning to remove any protections for anyone."

This article originally appeared in CBS News. Read the whole thing here.

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