- The Centers for Disease Control extended its eviction ban through July 31, 2021
- This ban only applies to evictions for non-payment of rent
- You’ll need to fill out a simple form and submit it to your landlord; you will not be automatically enrolled just because you qualify
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) extended its eviction ban through July 31, 2021.
The extension offers protection to more than 4 million adults who are at risk of eviction or foreclosure, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. However, “this is intended to be the final extension of the moratorium,” the CDC said in a June 24 statement announcing the extension.
Originally set to expire on June 30, 2021, the ban protects tenants who are unable to pay rent from being evicted. The moratorium was originally put in place last year by the CDC to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by “keeping people in their homes and out of crowded or congregate settings,” the CDC said in the statement.
How to Get Eviction Protection Under the Moratorium
The eviction moratorium isn’t universal or automatic. You must complete a CDC declaration form and submit a copy to your landlord to take advantage of the moratorium’s eviction protection.
To be eligible, you must fall under the following income limits and be unable to pay rent because of income loss or extraordinary medical expenses. More specifically, you’ll need to meet at least one of the following criteria:
- You received a stimulus check in 2020 or 2021
- You did not have reportable income to the IRS in 2020
- In 2020 or 2021, you earned or expect to earn less than $99,000 as an individual or $198,000 as a joint filer
The moratorium only provides protections for those who are not current with rent payments. It does not apply to other rental lease violations.
If you are a tenant protected by the eviction moratorium, you are still required to make partial rent payments as you are able. And you are still responsible for paying back rent and any fees or penalties required under the terms of your lease.
How to Find Assistance for Back Rent Owed
The eviction ban protects those financially impacted by the pandemic from losing their housing, but it doesn’t address the challenge of paying back owed rent payments.
To assist renters in meeting this shortfall, the government has allocated over $46 billion in assistance through the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program. The funds, which are being distributed through a network of state and local programs, can be used to make both future and back rent payments.
You can use the following government databases to find programs that serve your area:
Other Eviction Resources
Even if your landlord hasn’t started eviction proceedings, expert legal advice can be invaluable when it comes to knowing your rights. If you need legal advice or representation, you can find organizations that provide free legal aid for qualified households via several legal directories:
- Lawhelp.org
- The Legal Services Corporation (LSC)
- The American Bar Association pro bono resource directory
You can also call 2-1-1, a 24/7 hotline that can connect you with organizations that assist with everything from housing to health care.
Depending on where you live, you might also be covered by a state or local eviction ban. For example, New York has an eviction ban in place through Aug. 31, 2021, and Los Angeles just extended its ban until Sept. 30, 2021. Check with your governor’s or mayor’s office — and in local media reports — to see if there are additional state-level protections that may apply to you.
