National Federal Eviction Moratorium

This information is provided by the National Low Income Housing Coalition

A federal eviction moratorium issued by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is in effect from September 4, 2020 to December 31, 2020. The temporary moratorium on evictions extends vital protections to tens of millions of renters at risk of eviction for nonpayment of rent during the global pandemic.

To be protected, qualified renters facing eviction should immediately provide a signed declaration to their landlords. For more details about the moratorium and a sample declaration that renters can use, read NLIHC’s and NHLP’s Overview of National Eviction Moratorium and our National Eviction Moratorium: FAQ for Renters [Español].

 
 

DOES THE FEDERAL MORATORIUM STOP ALL EVICTIONS?

Effective September 4, the order declares a national moratorium on residential evictions for eligible renters for nonpayment of rent and nonpayment of other fees or charges until December 31, 2020. Tenants can still be evicted for:

  • Conducting criminal activity on the property

  • Threatening the health or safety of other residents

  • Damaging or posing an immediate and significant risk of damage to the property

  • Violating applicable building codes, health ordinances, or other regulations related to health and safety

  • Violating any contractual obligation other than the timely payment of rent, late fees, penalties, or interest.

 

WHAT STEPS MUST RENTERS TAKE TO BE PROTECTED BY THE EVICTION MORATORIUM?

To qualify, an individual must

  1. Be a “tenant, lessee, or resident of a residential property”

  2. Provide a signed declaration to their landlord stating that they:

  • Have “used best efforts to obtain all available government assistance for rent or housing”

  • Expect to earn no more than $99,000 annually in 2020 (or no more than $198,000 jointly), or were not required to report income in 2019 to the IRS, or received an Economic Impact Payment

  • Are unable to pay rent in full or make full housing payments due to loss of household income, loss of compensable hours of work or wages, lay-offs, or extraordinary out-of-pocket medical costs

  • Are making their best efforts to make timely partial payments as close to the full rental/housing payment as possible

  • Would likely become homeless, need to live in a shelter, or need to move in with another person (aka live doubled-up) because they have no other housing options

  • Understand they will still need to pay rent at the end of the moratorium (Dec. 31, 2020)

  • Understand that any false/misleading statements may result in criminal and civil actions. A sample declaration is included at the end of the National Eviction Moratorium.