New CDC Eviction Moratorium

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) issued an eviction moratorium covering essentially all residential properties. To qualify for protection the tenant must provide the landlord with a declaration under penalty of perjury that the tenant

  1. has used best efforts to obtain all available government assistance for rent or housing;
  2. expect to earn for 2020 no more than $99,000 for individuals or $198,000 for joint tax filers;
  3. is unable to pay the full rent due to substantial loss of income, loss of work hours, wages, lay-off, or extraordinary out-of-pocket medical expenses;
  4. is making best efforts to pay as close to full payment as circumstances permit;
  5. eviction would likely make the tenant homeless or forced the tenant to move in close quarters in a shared-living arrangement;

The CDC argues in its moratorium that preventing evictions will help slow the spread of COVID-19. It cites this argument as giving the CDC authority to issue the eviction moratorium.

The CDC moratorium does not apply to evictions based on a tenant

  1. engaging in criminal activity;
  2. threatening health or safety;
  3. damaging or posing an immediate and significant threat to property;
  4. violating building or health codes or similar laws;
  5. violating contractual obligations other than non-payment of rent or other charges

The CDC moratorium is set to expire December 31, 2020.

 

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