CDC issues nationwide eviction moratorium through March 31, 2021
Updated: January 25, 2021 11:36 AM
Early on during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued a broad nationwide eviction moratorium in order to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19. On his first day in office, President Biden extended the CDC’s eviction moratorium through March 31, 2021.
Under the moratorium, eligible tenants cannot be evicted for nonpayment of rent until March 31, 2021. Please note: the order does not forgive rent. You are still obligated to pay rent, and can still be evicted after the order expires or for reasons other than nonpayment.
If you live in New Jersey, Connecticut or Pennsylvania:
If you are facing eviction, you may be covered by the nationwide eviction moratorium through March 31, 2020. You must provide a signed declaration to your landlord, the owner of the property where you live, or person who has a right to have you evicted.
Who is eligible for the protection under the moratorium?
The eviction moratorium covers the following categories of tenants who are unable to pay for their housing because they lost income due to a loss of wages, hours, work, layoffs, or extraordinary out-of-pocket medical expenses:
- Individuals who expect to earn less than $99,000 a year in 2020 or couples who earn less than $198,000.
- Individuals or couples who have received a stimulus check through the CARES Act.
- Individuals who weren't required to pay income taxes in 2019.
What do I have to do to be protected against eviction?
Under the CDC’s order, tenants who are protected by the moratorium need to provide a signed declaration to the landlord, owner or person who has a right to have them evicted. The declaration asks you to certify that:
- You are eligible under the categories listed above;
- You are making your best efforts to partially pay the owed rent or obtain government assistance for rent or housing;
- And that you would become homeless or be forced to move into close quarters if you are evicted.
To find a printable version of this declaration, click here
For members who live in New York:
You are currently covered under state and local eviction moratoriums that have protections equal to, or stronger than, the CDC’s moratorium so the nationwide moratorium does not currently apply to you. For New York residents, the eviction and foreclosure moratorium has effectively been extended to February 26, 2021 for all residents. New Yorkers who are experiencing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic and who submit a hardship declaration form are prevented from being evicted or having their home foreclosed on until May 1, 2021. To find a printable version of New York’s hardship declaration form, click here.
