Our firm will be doing a COVID-19 and the Community Series. Our first entry addresses the newest eviction regulations.
COVID-19 has turned many people’s lives upside down. Many people in our area have lost their jobs, been furloughed, or are on shift away from unemployment. Our office often receives calls from families and small businesses who don’t know what to do about their leases.
Although all individual cases present unique legal needs, our office wanted to provide general information about the eviction moratorium and where people can go for help.
The federal government issued an eviction moratorium to halt evictions from September 4, 2020 to December 31, 2020.
To be legible for the eviction moratorium:
1. People must have attempted to obtain all government rent or housing assistance.
Some states and/or local governments have also announced an equal or larger
amount of protection, in which renters may receive better benefits from the local
government.
2. An individual does not make over $99,000 in the calendar year or if a married
couple makes less than $198,000 jointly. The CARES Act stimulus check is not
included in the income. An individual can still be eligible if they did not file a 2019
tax return.
3. The renter is unable to pay the full rent because decrease in income, lost their job,
or had to pay large medical bills.
4. The renter is trying to pay at least partial rent, considering usual expenses.
5. They would likely be homeless or be moving into an inhabited area that would
make the virus more easily spread.
To be connected to legal aid agencies in their area, call the State Bar of Texas Disaster Legal Services Hotline (800-504-7030). The local aid agencies can assess individual cases and may provide limited legal assistance. For specific legal aid search: texasbar.com/referraldirectory.
Additional Tenant/Landlord Resources:
Texas Law Help: https://texaslawhelp.org/article/cdc-eviction-moratorium
National Housing Law Project: https://nlihc.org/sites/default/files/National-Eviction-Moratorium_FAQ-for-Renters.pdf?utm_source=NLIHC+All+Subscribers&utm_campaign=01127abfb9-cta_090420&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_e090383b5e-01127abfb9-293288861&ct=t(cta_090420)
Texas State Law Library: https://guides.sll.texas.gov/covid-19/landlord-tenant
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