Eviction Moratoriums and Potential Rent Forgiveness Continue to Cause Confusion; Opines TenantScreeningUSA.com

WALTHAM, Mass., Oct. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- In Washington State and New York, the challenge of evictions related to the Covid 19 pandemic continue to be a challenge and legislators are seeking ways to assist those at risk; subsequently landlords should prepare for any impact on their vetting practices and policies. Adam Almeida, President and CEO of TenantScreeningUSA.com, opines: "When significant challenges persist in the rental market for landlords, such as evictions during the Covid 19 pandemic, 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 law."

Protestors in the state of Washington are calling for rent forgiveness, as related to the Covid 19 pandemic.

From theOlympian.com on October 2, 2020:

"Not everybody can make it today, but we speak for the thousands upon thousands of families who are experiencing not paying the rent and fear of becoming homeless," said Violet Lavatai, interim executive director of the Tenants Union of Washington State.

Tenants Union organizers said that the amount of debt Washington tenants have accrued during the pandemic will be impossible to pay off, and many families are already choosing between paying rent and feeding their families…That's why they're calling for government action to cancel rent — essentially legislating debt forgiveness for tenants who have fallen behind on rent during the pandemic. (1)

Almeida adds: "Legislators are potentially going to make changes to laws governing rental properties and, subsequently, tenant screening. Housing availability has proven a challenge prior to the Covid 19 pandemic and has only grown worse. In order to lessen the impact legislators have been forced to change laws and policies in order to assist those most at risk. Whenever there is significant change landlords and property managers should take immediate note."

In New York Governor Cuomo has extended the moratorium on evictions.

From the Manhattan Times News on October 2, 2020:

On September 28, Cuomo issued an executive order that expands the state's Tenant Safe Harbor Act, which protects tenants from eviction if they are suffering financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"As New York continues to fight the pandemic, we want to make sure New Yorkers who are still struggling financially will not be forced from their homes as a result of COVID," Cuomo said in a statement. "We are extending the protections of the Safe Harbor Act through January 1 because we want tenants to have fundamental stability in their lives as we recover from this crisis." (2)

Almeida concludes: "It is inevitable that laws governing rental housing will continue to change. Whether through moratoriums or rent forgiveness the challenges landlords and property managers will continue to face will be significant. One way to stay ahead of potential transformation is to work with a well-qualified third-party tenant screening agency in order to remain compliant and ahead of potential alteration to law."

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)    theolympian.com/news/politics-government/article246180495.html
(2)    manhattantimesnews.com/tenant-eviction-moratorium-extended-to-january-1moratoria-de-desalojo-de-inquilinos-extendida-hasta-el-1-de-enero/

SOURCE Tenant Screening USA