As we have previously discussed, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Government issued moratoriums on residential evictions as well as
foreclosures. These were enacted in order to protect the public health and prevent an overwhelming number of people becoming homeless, or to protect those struggling with the affects of the pandemic. Earlier this month, the foreclosure moratorium, after several renewals, lapsed. However, the Federal Government has, once again, extended the moratorium on residential evictions. However, in so doing, they have added some limitations to its applicability.
The order says “a landowner, owner of a residential property, or other person with a legal right to pursue eviction or possessory action, shall not evict any covered person from any residential property in any county or U.S. territory while the county or territory is experiencing substantial or high levels of community transmission of SARS-CoV-2.” The order goes on to define a covered person, in pertinent part, as a tenant or other person in possession who provides their landlord with a declaration under the penalty of perjury that (i) the individual has used his best efforts to obtain governmental assistance for rental or housing; (ii) they earned less than $99,000 (or $198,000 if filing jointly) in 2020, or expects to learn less in 2021; (iii) the individual is unable to pay rent due to loss of income; (iv) the individual is using best efforts to make timely partial payments as best they can; (v) eviction would render the individual homeless; and (vi) the individual lives in an area with substantial or high rates of community transmission. Again, it is worth noting that the moratorium on foreclosures has lapsed, and thus foreclosures are legally permitted to proceed. Should you need to discuss the impact of the foregoing on your Association, please do not hesitate to call us.
Daniel Weber, Esq.