Recently the federal government has taken further steps to halt private and commercial evictions through the end of the year. The previous order by the federal government only covered those in government backed housing which expired in July. However, when these freezes end, there will be a wave of evictions that many people need to be ready for.
The new order comes straight from the Center for Disease Control. Their reasoning is that it will slow the spread of COVID as the eviction process would create multiple avenues of spreading, via the movers, the tenets and even the landlords. “Unless the CDC order is extended, changed, or ended, the order prevents these persons from being evicted or removed from where they are living through December 31, 2020. These persons are still required to pay rent and follow all the other terms of their lease and rules of the place where they live. These persons may also still be evicted for reasons other than not paying rent or making a housing payment. Executed declarations should not be returned to the Federal Government.”[1] This order also allows for other states to impose their own rules regarding this like California allowing for a lower payment, provided they prove COVID hardship.
Evictions may have been halted, but it won’t be forever. Consult your state’s stance on eviction moratoriums. Talk with your landlord about your lease and what to do about it moving forward.
[1] https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/09/04/2020-19654/temporary-halt-in-residential-evictions-to-prevent-the-further-spread-of-covid-19