Evictions continue during the Covid 19 pandemic despite current moratoriums and may create ongoing issues for tenant screening, opines TenantScreeningUSA.com. Adam Almeida, President and CEO of TenantScreeningUSA.com states: “Continued moratoriums related to the current pandemic have only slightly slowed the rate of evictions across the country and states may have differing extensions to the current federal moratorium, recently extended to March 31, 2021; and a best practice remains to work with a well-qualified third-party tenant screening agency, such as TenantScreeningUSA.com, in order to remain compliant with new and existing laws and guidance.”
Recently the CDC mandated an extension of the federal eviction moratorium, but evictions will continue to take place and, subsequently, cause confusion for property managers and landlords. Adam Almeida, President and CEO of TenantScreeningUSA.com states: “While the extended federal moratorium on evictions has been extended to March 31, 2021 evictions may continue to take place in many states, and the rules governing evictions could be confusing to landlords and property managers suggesting a best practice remains to work closely with a third-party tenant screening agency in order to remain complaint with law.”
Across the country evictions have continued and states have varying rules governing this process.
In South Carolina evictions have continued during the pandemic, governed by specific rules.
From GoUpstate.com on January 21, 2021:
There’s a lot of confusion surrounding the moratorium and landlords are getting creative to evict people for different reasons not listed in the order, USA Today reported.
Only evictions based on non-payment of rent are stopped from preceding under the national eviction moratorium, said … managing attorney with South Carolina Legal Services. (1)
Evictions for other causes are allowed to continue, assuming courts remain open.
Almeida states: “Rules governing evictions, even during Covid, can vary from state to state, and further cause confusion for landlords and property managers.”
In California, Governor Gavin Newsome recently extended that state’s moratorium on evictions until June 2021.
From ABC10.com on January 25, 2021:
The joint statement was released by the governor’s office…It announces that legislative leaders have agreed to extend the eviction moratorium in California through June 30, 2021. This extension will help protect tenants and small landlords from losing their housing as the nation continues to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. (2)
How the rules governing the extended federal eviction as well as statewide moratoriums play out will take time as the current legal landscape is very fluid and changes quickly.
Almeida concludes: “Landlords and property managers should take immediate note and recognize that the rules governing Covid-related moratoriums can and will change quickly, and a best practice remains to work with a well-qualified third-party tenant screening agency.”
TenantScreeningUSA.com provides full-service tenant screening for landlords and property managers of any size and can greatly assist in remaining fully compliant with all existing law governing tenant screening. With a highly trained and experienced staff, TenantScreeningUSA.com can provide help to landlords and property managers with all their tenant screening needs.
Notes:
(1) goupstate.com/story/news/2021/01/20/south-carolinians-face-eviction-despite-moratorium/4210203001/
(2) abc10.com/article/money/gov-newsom-legislative-leaders-talk-eviction-moratorium-extension/103-e96524dc-d641-4838-97c1-ea82b3e75744
