Yesterday, the Trump administration ordered a temporary eviction ban in response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The order—which came through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—aims to stop the spread of the virus by keeping renters away from shelters or other crowded living arrangements. The order impacts most renters—specifically, those earning $99,000 or less ($198,000 for joint filers)—through the end of 2020.
As The New York Times reports, this new order is more far-reaching than the eviction moratorium from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) Act—which covered millions of renters in apartments or single-family homes with government-backed mortgages. The CARES Act moratorium expired on July 24, 2020.
How to apply for protection under the eviction ban
To apply for protection, you must make a declaration to your landlord. The declaration must say you have tried to qualify for all available government assistance for rent or housing—and you must earn, or expect to earn, below the income threshold.
The declaration also must say you can’t pay full rent due to loss of income, fewer hours, a job layoff or “extraordinary” out-of-pocket medical expenses. To be eligible, you must be making an effort to make partial rent payments—and you must show that getting evicted could cause homelessness or force you to resort to an overcrowded living situation.
While there’s currently a draft of the order in the Federal Register, you can expect to see a final version published on September 4. Once this happens, you can access the necessary forms through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
G/O Media may get a commission
Exceptions to the eviction ban
The new order doesn’t apply to any state or local area with the “same or greater level of public-health protection” than the requirements in the new order. It also doesn’t apply to folks living in American Samoa—a place where there haven’t been any reported cases of COVID-19.
The ban won’t stop other types of evictions—like those for criminal activity, endangering other tenants, violating building codes or other contractual obligations.
The eviction ban won’t forgive your rent
Although you may prevent eviction through the end of the year, you will still be responsible for the unpaid portion of your rent. CNBC reports tenant advocates have called for more relief—including unpaid rent forgiveness. Otherwise, both renters and landlords may sink deeper into debt—which could cause future evictions or mortgage foreclosures. You can learn more about how to prevent evictions here.
