Lots of people are having difficulty paying their rent due to the pandemic, but the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released an eviction moratorium order that protects renters.
Under the new eviction moratorium, people who are struggling to pay their rent cannot be evicted by their landlord. The renter must complete an eviction moratorium declaration and give it to their landlord.
This eviction moratorium protects the renter until June 30, 2021. If you qualify for this help, fill out and sign the eviction moratorium declaration form (available in eviction moratorium in English and eviction moratorium in Spanish) and give it to your landlord.
If you need help understanding whether you qualify for the eviction moratorium, the Housing and Urban Development has a list of housing counselors in your area who can answer your questions. And whether or not you qualify, it might be worth finding out more about rental assistance programs. There may be local programs other than the eviction moratorium that offer rental assistance and other help.
If landlords violate the eviction moratorium order, they can be subject to fines and even criminal penalties. So if things aren’t going the way you think they should with your landlord or with the eviction moratorium, you may be able to get legal help.
Check for state or local protections for renters. And if you’re worried about being evicted, even with this in place, tell your state’s attorney general.
If you are having trouble paying your rent, it is recommended that you apply for the eviction moratorium as soon as possible. You can also get more information about what to do if your finances have been affected by the pandemic.
