On December 28, 2020, nine months into the global pandemic, New York’s Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, signed the COVID-19 Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2020.
The Act extends the previous protections that were set to expire on December 31, 2020.
The protections covered under this Act will last until May 1, 2021.
The Act places a moratorium on residential evictions until May 1, 2021 for tenants who have endured COVID-related hardship. Tenants must submit a hardship declaration, or a document explaining the source of the hardship, to prevent evictions. Landlords can evict tenants that are creating safety or health hazards for other tenants, and those tenants who do not submit hardship declarations.
It is important to remember that this Act and other moratorium do not cancel or reduce the rent that is owed to your landlord.
Please contact Westchester Residential Opportunities, Inc. and speak with our one of our housing counselors if you are currently in arrears. This Act does not change the arrears that are owed and you may qualify for assistance.
*If you are in breach of your lease for reasons other than COVID-19 related financial or medical hardship you may still be evicted.
