The CDC stopped evictions for non-payment of rent through the end of the year. Well, at least for many people. It’s designed to soften the economic fallout of the COVID shutdown. There are some criteria you must meet to qualify. If landlords try to go ahead and kick you out, they could be charged with a crime. Let’s talk about who’s eligible for this protection:
In order to use this special protection, you’re going to have to provide a signed copy of a special declaration form to your landlord. You can download a copy by clicking here. Make sure you’re telling the truth, fudging the details on this form could get you in trouble for perjury.
Who Qualifies?
You’ll need to meet the following qualifications:
- You were eligible for an Economic Impact Payment (also known as a stimulus check) under the CARES act or have an annual income of $99,000 or less. ($198,000 for a family.)
- The reason you can’t pay your full rent is that you’ve experienced a substantial loss of income or hours or because you’ve had an unusual amount of out-of-pocket medical expenses. (Those expenses must not be reimbursed by insurance and have to be more than 7.5% of your adjusted gross income.)
- The tenant must be doing their best to at least make partial rent payments.
- You also must make efforts to obtain government assistance for rent or housing.
- There must be no other available housing options for you. You’ll either be homeless or your new home would be crowded with people living in close quarters and can’t properly socially distance.
You’re Not Off The Hook For Rent
Just because you don’t have to pay rent until the end of the year, doesn’t mean you still don’t owe the money. You’re still going to owe back rent, late fees, and any other charges.
Also, this doesn’t protect people from eviction for reasons besides non-payment of rent. If you’ve engaged in criminal activity, threatened someone in the home, damaged the property, or violated the lease in some other way, you can still be evicted.
This order doesn’t mention any relief for landlords who owe mortgages on rental property. Ohio SB 297 would prohibit foreclosures on both homes and commercial properties. It was referred to committee back in May but there’s been little movement since.
