If you are a landlord, then you are well aware that in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many state governors have issued moratoriums on eviction orders to protect vulnerable tenants during stay-at-home orders. In addition, certain metropolitan areas (including Atlanta and Boston) have issued their own suspension orders, and some state Supreme Courts have also intervened by issuing emergency orders to stop the deportation process. In some cases, lower courts may decide whether to allow expulsion at their discretion.

When the Director of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued an executive order to stop certain evictions for non-payment of rent, the federal government also got involved. The CDC order is much stricter than most state and local prohibitions, requiring tenants to take certain actions to prevent the eviction process from moving forward.

These suspension measures may put landlords into financial and moral constraints. Although not paying rent can threaten your livelihood, especially without providing additional federal relief for small businesses, no one really wants to drive someone out of the house, and COVID-19 and its variants are still a kind of Threatened, workers are still suffering huge painful unemployment and loss of income. Although we all hope that there will be a miraculous recovery before the end of the year, the health of the economy is still temporary at best.

This is a difficult time for landlords and tenants because Novel Coronavirus Continue to disrupt life as we know it. Knowing which suspensions of evictions apply to your rental property, when they will expire, their scope and relevant details will help you make informed and legal decisions.

Is there a moratorium on eviction in the state where my property is currently located?

Most moratoriums on deportation orders issued at the state and local levels have expired. The notable exceptions are listed below:

• California-until June 30, 2021
• Connecticut-through 6/30/2021
• Hawaii – through 8/6/2021
• Illinois-as of June 26, 2021
• Kentucky-as of June 30, 2021
• Minnesota-through 7/14/2021
• New York-through 8/31/2021
• North Carolina-as of June 30, 2021
• Oregon-as of June 30, 2021
• Vermont-through 7/15/2021
• Washington – through 6/30/2021

Before the end of the COVID-19 emergency, some states have stopped, suspended or at least restricted evictions for non-payment of rent, but no clear deadline has been set. These locations, many of which require proof of substantial revenue losses due to the pandemic, include:

• Delaware
• District of Columbia
• Maryland
• New Jersey
• New Mexico (by command NM Supreme Court)

Many states without a moratorium are providing grants and other forms of financial assistance to tenants who are in arrears with rent due to legal difficulties and are facing eviction. Each state has its own eligibility requirements and processes, but here are some examples:

Keep in mind that this epidemic is a constantly changing target, and your state may issue new suspensions or extend existing suspensions at any time.

Does the suspension of eviction only apply to delayed rent?

The moratorium on evictions aims to resolve the financial difficulties that many tenants have suffered due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, they usually only protect tenants who are unable to pay rent.In other words, these suspensions usually don’t prevent you from posting Relocation notice Other reasons, such as serious (or repeated) breach of contract or illegal activities.

But even if your tenants are protected, send them a copy of Late rent notice If they fall behind.You may also want to develop a Overdue rent payment agreement If you think you and the tenant can compromise on rent payment. There are many state and local rental assistance programs funded by the federal and state governments.Any rent assistance your tenants can get is the rent-back funds in your pocket, so check the nationwide State and local rent assistance programs Published online by the National Low-Income Housing Alliance.

When will the federal suspension of deportation issued by the CDC end?

This Federal moratorium on expulsions The CDC release applies to certain tenants until June 30, 2021. The goal is to slow the spread of COVID-19 by preventing overcrowding in shelters or other emergency life situations that may result from evictions. Even if you start the eviction process before the CDC’s order, if the affected tenant meets the conditions, it may stop the process. In addition, once the moratorium is over, tenants are still responsible for paying any overdue rent owed.

In order to be eligible for protection, the tenant must give you a signed Declaration form (Punished by perjury) Confirm that they:

• Income in 2020 will not exceed US$99,000 ($198,000 jointly filed by husband and wife), or estimated income in 2021 will not exceed US$99,000 (US$198,000 jointly filed by husband and wife); No need to report 2020 income to IRS or Receive stimulus check.
• Try to seek government rent or housing assistance.
• Unable to pay all or part of the payment due to substantial loss of family income, loss of working hours or wages, layoffs, or “extraordinary” out-of-pocket expenses.
• We are doing our best to pay part of the payment in a timely manner, as close as possible to full payment when the tenant’s situation permits, while taking into account the tenant’s other non-disposable expenses.
• Will become homeless or have to move into a collective or shared living environment and live nearby because tenants have no choice.

As a landlord, you do not need to verify all of this information, but you may need supporting information as a condition of complying with the suspension order.

Are there exceptions to the CDC suspension of evictions?

There are some exceptions and ambiguities in the suspension. On the one hand, it does not protect tenants who engage in criminal activities, destroy property, cause major or repeated damage, or any other behavior that would normally lead to eviction (except late payment of rent). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only when the tenant stays in the residential property but does not pay the rent, eviction on the grounds of intrusion is not a valid reason for eviction. In addition, the CDC suspends exempt owners of motels, hotels, or short-term leases.

Another question mark is how to proceed, for example, if the tenant’s lease expires during the suspension period. If the landlord may want to evict the tenant, but chooses not to renew the lease because the tenant is late, is this technically an eviction? If the tenant stays after the expiry date of the lease because they cannot relocate to another place, is this a reason for eviction?

One of the biggest concerns for landlords is that payment suspension may affect their ability to pay mortgages on the property or other operating expenses. Many of these ambiguous issues may be decided in court.

Before you deport, make sure you understand the suspension order in the COVID era

Landlords usually don’t like to go through the eviction process, but sometimes it is necessary, both as a last resort for problem tenants, and for other reasons that have nothing to do with breaching the lease. If you find yourself in an awkward position to issue an eviction notice, please make sure you proceed in accordance with the law.If your tenants cannot pay rent and think they are protected by deferred payment, you will need Ask a lawyer Regarding the law and your legal choices.

This article contains general legal information and does not contain legal advice. Rocket Lawyer is not a law firm, nor is it a substitute for a lawyer or a law firm. The law is complex and changes frequently.For legal advice, please Ask a lawyer.