Many people are concerned about a flood of evictions in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court order that ended the CDC eviction moratorium. While some evictions are likely to happen, on the eve of that order, the Department of Treasury relaxed requirements to qualify for Emergency Rental Assistance, which should help some landlords and tenants who can't pay rent. And it's likely that state and local governments will react with their own eviction moratoriums to prevent an eviction crisis in their communities.
Read MoreThe CDC Eviction Moratorium protected tenants from eviction until the U.S. Supreme Court ended it on August 26, 2021. However, the Moratorium's requirements didn’t protect tenants from rent increases. And because the Moratorium lacked standards to determine what tenants can afford and doesn't require them to provide financial documents, some tenants may have falsely claimed eligibility. This article serves as a cautionary tale about loopholes and pitfalls of COVID-19 eviction moratoriums generally.
Read MoreHUD recently charged a Missouri landlord with violating the Fair Housing Act by requiring a disabled individual to pay a pet deposit for her assistance animal. Here’s what the landlord should have done instead.
Read MoreHUD says the Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination against individuals basedl upon sexual orientation or gender identity.
Read MoreMaryland now requires diaper changing tables in public restrooms in government buildings. Although the new law isn't applicable to commercial real estate owners and private businesses, they, too, should install diaper changing tables in both men’s and women’s restrooms at their properties.
Read MoreThe U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia doesn’t only apply to employment relationships. The decision also clarifies that the Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based upon sexual orientation or gender identity.
Read MoreThe COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated changes in how people use their homes. Successful multifamily owners and operators will adjust their properties, amenities, and leases to accommodate tomorrow's tenants.
Read MoreAn eviction moratorium only restricts the landlords from evicting tenants for not paying rent during the moratorium. Tenants still are required to pay rent and to pay it on time.
Read MoreLandlords can help tenants get through these challenging times by building a sense of community based upon education, social connection, and compassion.
Read MoreLike all businesses, commercial real estate owners should educate themselves and do what they can to minimize the risk of COVID-19 to their employees and tenants.
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