Information on eviction moratoriums and tenant protections being enacted due to outbreak of COVID-19.
The federal government, as well as many any states, cities, and counties are taking steps to minimize the impact of the novel coronavirus crisis on tenants, including placing moratoriums on evictions, holds on shutting off utilities due to nonpayment, and prohibiting late rent fees.
Federal Eviction Protection
On September 1, 2020 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an Agency Order titled Temporary Halt in Residential Evictions to Prevent the Further Spread of COVID-19 (Order). The Order went into effect on September 4, 2020, and was extended on December 27, 2020. (See Section 502 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021.) The CDC's latest order extends the residential eviction ban until at least June 30, 2021.
The Order prohibits residential landlords nationwide from evicting certain tenants through June 30, 2021. The Order protects tenants who:
- have used their best efforts to obtain government assistance for housing
- are unable to pay their full rent due to a substantial loss of income
- are making their best efforts to make timely partial payments of rent, and
- would become homeless or have to move into a shared living setting if they were to be evicted.
In addition to the above requirements, one of the following financial criteria must apply. To qualify for protection, tenants must:
- expect to earn no more than $99,000 (individuals) or $198,000 (filing joint tax return) in 2020
- not have been required to report any income to the IRS in 2020, or
- have received an Economic Impact Payment (stimulus check) pursuant to Section 2201 of the CARES Act, Section 9601 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, or to any other similar federally authorized payments made to individuals in 2021 and 2021.
Tenants must complete a declaration under penalty of perjury that they meet the criteria listed in the Order. You can use Nolo's free, downloadable CDC Eviction Ban Declaration form to satisfy this requirement (the download includes details about the ban and instructions).
Anyone who violates the Order may be subject to criminal penalties including fines and jail time.
Even with the Order in place, states can still ban evictions and enact other tenant protections that provide more protection than the Order. This means that tenants who do not meet the criteria for protection under the federal ban might still be protected from eviction under any applicable state or local orders (see State Eviction Protection below). Visit FAQs About the CDC Eviction Ban for more details and answers to frequently asked questions.
Note that each state's courts are handling the CDC eviction ban differently. See the chart below for any information your state has issued regarding the CDC eviction ban.
Other Federal Tenant Protections
The FHA has extended its ban on evictions from properties secured by FHA-insured single family mortgages through June 30, 2021.
Additionally, the government-backed mortgage buyers Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae have prohibited landlords of single-family properties with Freddie Mac- and Fannie Mae-backed mortgages from evicting tenants until at least September 30, 2021. Also, certain owners of multifamily properties backed by Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae can extend their loan forbearance, and, if they do so, cannot evict tenants during the term of the forbearance. To find out if your rental is covered by the Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac eviction bans, visit Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and enter your address. You can also use the National Low Income Housing's federal eviction moratorium lookup tool to see if your address is covered by one of the federal eviction bans.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is maintaining a detailed explanation of the federal eviction bans.
State Eviction Protection
The chart below attempts to capture the latest information on coronavirus-related tenant protections by state (and county and major cities, if applicable). Please note that this information is changing hourly, and the chart might not reflect all current protections. For the best information about the status of evictions where you live, check your state's judicial system or governor's website. You can also contact a legal aid organization in your area.
In the chart, click on the state's name to be directed to its official COVID-19 website.
| State | County or City | Hold On Evictions | Hold on Utility Shutoffs | Other Tenant Protections/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No | No |
-Alabama's emergency rental assistance program -Visit ALtogether to find resources for assistance in Alabama. -Alabama's Coronavirus Relief Fund -Public Service Commission states that it is confident no customers will experience interruption during crisis, and that after crisis period utilities will help with past-due accounts. However, the decision is left to individual utility providers. |
||
| No | No | -See the Regulatory Commission of Alaska's COVID-19 utility information page.
-Information for renters about 2021 rent relief programs. |
||
| No | No |
-Arizona Corporation Commission's ban on utility disconnects has ended, but many providers are extending the hold on disconnects and are offering assistance to customers. Check with your provider. -Resources for individuals in Arizona. -Arizona utility assistance programs. |
||
| No | No |
-Arkansas Public Service Commission ended moratorium on disconnections on May 3, 2021. -Arkansas Fresh Start rental assistance program. |
||
| (local ban information) | Yes: through 6/30/2021 | Yes: until 6/30/2021 |
-The governor has signed legislation extending the eviction ban through June 30, 2021. -Also see California Eviction Moratorium (Bans) and Tenant Protections for the status of bans in various California cities and counties. -Utility shutoff moratorium for nonpayment until at least June 30, 2021 for most utilities. See the CPUC's website on consumer protections during the COVID-19 outbreak for details. |
|
| No | No |
-Under governor's order, landlords cannot charge late rent fees through March 29, 2021. The order also makes clear that the federal eviction ban applies in Colorado. -See Colorado statewide utility tracker for information about whether your utility provider has put a moratorium on shutoffs during the crisis. You can also get current information about utility assistance programs on the PUC's website. -Check your court's website to see status. -Colorado's Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP). |
||
| Yes: through 6/30/2021 |
No |
-Eviction ban extended by governor's order through June 30, 2021. -Connecticut Temporary Rental Housing Assistance Program (TRHAP) |
||
|
Yes |
No |
-Delaware Housing Assistance Program -By order of governor, landlords can file eviction lawsuits, but courts must stay any proceedings. Law enforcement cannot physically remove tenants. Landlords cannot charge late fees. Utilities must work with customers who are struggling due to pandemic. Lasts until end of public health emergency. |
||
|
Yes: until after emergency |
Yes |
-No evictions during state of emergency. Lawmakers have suspended the filing of eviction complaints until 60 days after the end of the state of emergency. Mayor's order extends the state of emergency (and with it the eviction ban) until further notice. Also, landlords cannot send tenants notices to vacate during the ban. -Utility shutoff moratorium during the state of emergency. -D.C.'s COVID-19 Housing Assistance Program (CHAP) |
||
| No | No |
-Eviction ban expired October 1, 2020. -Most major utilities providers have said they will not shut off services. Check with your local provider. -Florida Housing's COVID-19 Information and Resources. |
||
| No | No |
-State of Georgia has a COVID-19 hotline: (844) 442-2681. -Courts have discretion as to whether eviction hearings can proceed; check individual Georgia courts' status here. -Check the State of Georgia Public Service Commission's website for a list of GA services that have suspended disconnections due to COVID. |
||
| Yes: through 8/6/2021 | No |
-By order of governor, evictions for nonpayment of rent suspended through August 6, 2021. Governor has stated that the eviction ban will not be renewed after August 6, 2021. |
||
| No | No |
-For financial and other assistance, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission has a county-specific resource guide. |
||
| Yes: through June 26, 2021 |
No |
-Governor has announced that the eviction moratorium will be phased out over the next few months and will end in August (more details coming). Moratorium currently in place through June 26, 2021. -Tenants and landlords might be able to get assistance through the Illinois Rental Payment Program (ILRPP). |
||
| No | No | |||
| No | No | |||
|
No |
No |
-Kansas legislature voted to end eviction ban on May 28, 2021 (vote marks end of Executive Order 21-13.) |
||
|
Yes: through 6/30/2021 |
No |
-Governor signed an order extending the eviction ban through June 30, 2021. -Kentucky's Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund. -Many utilities have voluntarily agreed to not shutoff for nonpayment. Please contact your utility provider for options. |
||
| No |
No |
-Louisiana's Emergency Rental Assistance Program -For information on utilities, visit the Louisiana Public Service Commission's website. -Louisiana Law Help is regularly updating its website with COVID-19 information for Louisiana residents. |
||
| No | No |
-By order of governor, evictions will occur under expanded time frames (meaning landlords must give tenants a longer notice period to move out/pay rent before they can be evicted). -Maine's Emergency Rent Relief Program. -MaineHousing has created a $5 million COVID-19 Rent Relief Program. |
||
|
Yes: until end of state of emergency |
No |
-By governor's order, no evictions statewide during emergency. -Maryland's Emergency Rental Assistance Program -The Maryland Court of Appeals put a hold on all eviction proceedings that ended July 25, 2020. The court has issued a communication about procedures for and timing of eviction cases. See court's August 11, 2020 Administrative Order for more information. -Utility shutoff moratorium ended 11/15/2020. Maryland PSC is providing energy assistance programs. |
||
|
No |
Yes: until 7/1/2021 |
-Department of Public Utilities extended utility shutoff moratorium until July 1, 2021. -Massachusetts state resources for renters. -For utility information, see the DPU list of utility assistance resources. |
||
| No | No |
-Michigan is offering an Eviction Diversion Program for renters who need assistance. -Michigan's COVID Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA). -Many Michigan utility providers are agreeing to suspend shutoffs. Check the MPSC website for your carrier's current policies. |
||
| Yes: until 6/14/2021 | Maybe (see notes) |
-Governor signed executive order to suspend certain evictions (see order for details) during state of emergency. The order was extended through June 14, 2021. -Minnesota Public Utilities Commission required state regulated utilities to extend consumer protections throughout the COVID emergency. |
||
| No | No |
-Mississippi has established a COVID-19 information website. -Check the Mississippi Judiciary's website for information about evictions, trials, and court access. |
||
| No | No |
-Missouri Housing Development Commission is administering emergency rent and utility assistance funds. -Supreme Court of Missouri has directed courts to exercise discretion regarding cases (effective May 16, 2020) and appearances subject to certain Operational Directives. Whether or not your case will be held is left to discretion of judge. -Check Missouri Public Service Commission's website for information about utility shutoffs. |
||
| No | No |
-Renters can seek relief from the Montana Emergency Rental Assistance program. -Visit the Montana Public Service Commission's website to locate your utility service provider's website and find out about status. |
||
| No | No |
-Visit Nebraska Public Service Commission's website to see list of utility providers who have agreed to not shut off service. -Nebraska Public Service Commission is allowing utility carriers to seek reimbursement for providing service to low-income families. |
||
| No | No |
-Governor ordered extension of eviction ban ended May 31, 2021. -NV Energy suspended disconnections for nonpayment until September; check the State of Nevada Public Utilities Commission's website. |
||
| No | No | |||
| Yes: until end of emergency +2 months |
Yes: through 6/30/2021 |
-Governor's order prohibits removal of tenants from residential properties, and postpones enforcement of all judgments for possessions, warrants of removal, and writs of possession. See New Jersey Eviction Moratorium Information + Question Form for more information. -By order of governor no utility shutoffs through June 30, 2021. See the order for further details and information about late fees. -New Jersey utility assistance programs. |
||
| Yes | No |
-See New Mexico's website on the utilities' response to COVID-19. -NM courts have placed a temporary moratorium on eviction. You must provide the court with evidence of current inability to pay rent at your hearing on the eviction petition. Eviction hearings will be held by video or phone, unless parties file a motion for in-person hearing. The NM Supreme Court has a FAQ page for more information. Moratorium in place until end of emergency (extended by governor until 5/28/2021 or until rescinded by governor). -Many utilities have suspended shutoffs. Check with your provider for information. |
||
|
Yes: through 8/31/2021 |
Yes |
-The state legislature's COVID-19 Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2020 was extended through August 31, 2021. It prohibits evictions and puts various tenant protections in place. -The New York Unified Court System issued memo on November 17, 2020 about procedures. -No utility shutoffs due to nonpayment during the state of emergency +180 days. See DPS's website for FAQs and more information. -Apply for New York Heating and Cooling Assistance (HEAP) program here. |
||
|
Yes: through 6/30/2021 |
No |
-The governor's executive order 171 outlines the details of the eviction ban. The governor's executive order 206 extends the ban through June 30, 2021 and provides further details. -North Carolina's Housing Opportunities and Prevention of Evictions Program (HOPE). -Also see the state's FAQ regarding the eviction ban. |
||
| No | No | |||
| No | No |
-Ohio Home Relief Grant (for landlords and tenants). -Ohio Public Utilities Commission's information on utility plans. |
||
| No | No |
-Evictions may proceed, but, by order of the Supreme Court of Oklahoma, anyone filing an eviction must certify that the property is not covered under the federal CARES Act. -Oklahoma's Coronavirus Aid Relief Application -Oklahoma's COVID-19 resources and assistance website. -Oklahoma COVID-19 call center: 877-215-8336 |
||
| Yes: until 6/30/2021 | Yes: through 6/30/2021 |
-Oregon legislators have passed a bill extending eviction ban until June 30, 2021. Oregon Law Center's handout provides details about the ban. -Oregon PUC's announcement about utility shutoff moratorium; PUC information about debt relief programs -Oregon landlord and tenant resources. -Oregon Lifeline (a program for assistance with phone or broadband service). -Multnomah County eviction ban in place until July 2, 2021. |
||
| No |
No |
-Information about Pennsylvania CARES Rent Relief Program. -Pennsylvania Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) -Each court handles CDC Eviction Ban procedures individually. Notices are posted here. |
||
| No | Maybe (see notes) |
-By order of supreme court, evictions can resume after June 1, 2020. -Rhode Island HomeSafe Initiative (financial assistance for people with short-term housing crises) -Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission ordered that the winter moratorium will be extended for "protected status" customers through June 25, 2021. |
||
| No | No |
-South Carolina SCStay program (COVID-19 housing assistance) -SC Housing COVID-19 Mortgage Relief Assistance -SC Housing's list of resources for rental assistance. -Any party pursuing an eviction must submit to court a signed, original Certification of Compliance with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. |
||
| No | No |
-South Dakota CARES Housing Assistance Program -Check South Dakota Unified Judicial System for status of cases. -Check South Dakota PUC website for resources related to utilities. |
||
| No | No |
-Tennessee Housing Development's list of energy assistance programs for renters. -Tennessee Office of the Courts' list of eviction resources. |
||
| No | No |
-Texas Coronavirus Relief Bill Rental Assistance Program -Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs' Help for Texas site allows renters to search for available assistance. -For Texas-specific information and resources, see TexasLawHelp.org's website on Property Law Issues During COVID-19 and its publication, Evictions During the COVID-19 Pandemic. -TXU Energy is offering customer support resources. |
||
| No | No |
-Utah Home Energy Assistance Target (HEAT) Program |
||
| Yes: until end of emergency plus 30 days | Yes: until 6/30/21 |
-Evictions are banned until the end of the state's declared emergency (currently in place through June 15, 2021) plus 30 days. (More info here.) -The ban on utility shutoffs (electricity, telephone landlines, and natural gas) is in place until June 30, 2021. |
||
|
No |
Yes: until at least 60 days after end of state of emergency |
-HB 5005 (regarding moratorium on utility disconnections) |
||
| Yes: until 6/30/2021 | Yes: until 7/31/2021 |
-Governor has ordered extension of eviction moratorium through June 30, 2021. -Utility shutoff moratorium extended until July 31, 2021. -Washington Eviction Rent Assistance Program (ERAP)/Treasury Rent Assistance Program (T-RAP) -Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission's information on COVID-19 utility assistance. -Washington mortgage relief and assistance information. |
||
| No | No | |||
| Wisconsin | No |
No |
-State launched the Wisconsin Rental Assistance Program for people who have lost income. -Wisconsin Emergency Rental Assistance (WERA) -Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) -PSC of Wisconsin launched a customer service phone line for internet and phone service. |
|
| No | No |
-Wyoming Emergency Rental Assistance Program -Wyoming Supreme Court ordered suspension of all in-person proceedings (with certain exceptions). Check court for status. -Check Wyoming's COVID-19 website for more information. |
Other Resources:
- You can check to see if your utility providers have taken the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC's) Keep Americans Connected pledge to not disconnect residential or small business customers during the coronavirus pandemic.
- Sources of Coronavirus Assistance for Landlords and Tenants: A list of federal, state, local, non-profit, and private sources of financial assistance and other resources for both tenants and landlords.
Updated: June 9, 2021
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