Eviction Moratorium & SB 282

What is really going on with the eviction moratorium & SB 282? May 19, 2021, Senate Bill 282 was signed into law. Under HB 4213 this law extended the emergency payback period, and also extended the eviction moratorium, in certain circumstances, to June 30, 2021. This new law also extends the date to pay back all unpaid rent to February 28, 2022.

With limited exceptions, landlords cannot evict renters for nonpayment of rent from April 2020 to June 2021. July is just around the corner, what does that mean for tenants with unpaid rent? Can I evict if July rent is not paid?

SB 282 has some interesting new provisions. The bill bans landlords from reporting unpaid rent to any credit collection agencies, bars landlords from declining applications based on pandemic-era evictions, allows such evictions to be kept secret, and limits certain restrictions on tenants’ guests. But most importantly, it extends the payback period for unpaid rent to February 28, 2022.

So what does that mean for July’s rent? Well… Rent is due! Non-payment by the 5th is considered late, and late fees can be added. If not paid in full, the eviction process can resume as normal. You still cannot evict tenants based on previous unpaid rent. All unpaid rent owed during the moratorium period is now due before February 28, 2022. It is not clear at this time what will happen if not paid by this date.

We encourage our Tenants and Owners to seek assistance when needed. 47 Billion dollars has been allotted for the landlord and tenant relief program. Half of the money was used in January and half was used in March. The Treasury has yet to disclose just how much was actually sent out, but funds are still available. If you are a tenant and need assistance click here. If you are an Owner and want to participate in the program click here.