NY State Legislature Extends Residential Eviction Moratorium

The New York State legislature passed a bill that extends the state’s moratorium on residential evictions until January 15, 2022. The bill extends the pre-existing eviction moratorium, which has been in effect since March, 2020. The extension comes as the moratorium expired on Tuesday night August 31, 2021, which could have resulted in thousands of New Yorkers being evicted and potentially homeless.

What is the Residential Eviction Moratorium?

The residential eviction moratorium is a legal measure that prevents landlords from evicting their residential and commercial tenants for failure to pay rent. Rather than simply excusing them from paying rent, the moratorium simply forbids landlords from evicting residents for nonpayment of rent in court while the moratorium is in effect. Tenants are still responsible for paying rent during this period and may face eviction for any owed rent once the moratorium expires.

Why Was This Bill Passed?

The moratorium was extended because of continuing economic and public health issues arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. More than a year after the moratorium was originally put into place, the DELTA variant of COVID-19 still exists. Although the state received $2.4 billion in federal aid to deal assist landlords and tenants with unpaid rent, only a small fraction of that money has actually been disbursed.

Who Does the Residential Eviction Moratorium Apply To?

The moratorium applies to tenants who are unable to pay rent due to economic difficulties arising out of the COVID-19 pandemic. People who are forced out of their apartment for other reasons, such as violations of the terms of a lease or causing a nuisance, are not protected by the moratorium. It also does not protect someone for nonpayment of rent unless they specifically cite the coronavirus pandemic as a reason for their inability to pay and submit a Hardship Declaration.

What Do People Think of the Bill?

Opinions over the eviction moratorium remain mixed. Advocates for tenants are perplexed and angry and believe that more focus should be placed on direct financial aid, noting that the continuing financial woes of many tenants means that many will face homelessness once the moratorium expires. Landlords, on the other hand, are no happier about the situation, given that many of them have now spent nearly a year and a half with non-paying tenants they cannot legally evict. Meanwhile, the landlords’ bills continue to pile up. Many Landlords have not received the financial support granted to tenants. In the end, the moratorium is a middle ground solution that satisfies no one.

If you are in a dispute with your landlord and want to know more about protecting yourself, do not wait until it is too late. You should seek advice from an attorney experienced in handling landlord-tenant disputes, who can advise you on your rights and help you avoid the risk of eviction. Contact the skilled landlord-tenant attorneys at Hobson-Williams, P.C.  Contact us online, toll-free (866) 825-1529 or (718) 210-4744 to discuss your rights and the solutions available to you.

Written by Tanya Hobson-Williams

Appointed to the bench by the Board of Trustees in 2008, and elected in 2009, Tanya Hobson-Williams was the first African-American Female Justice in the Incorporated Village of Hempstead. Tanya Hobson–Williams obtained her B.A. in Government and Politics from St. John’s University and her law degree from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.

Tanya Hobson-Williams has an active elder law practice assisting senior citizens in obtaining Medicaid for Home Care and Nursing Home Care. She routinely lectures at senior citizen centers, assisted living facilities, law schools and counsels families on a variety of topics of concerns to families caring for the elderly.

homepagetwitterfacebooklinkedingoogle plus

Author: Tanya Hobson-Williams

Appointed to the bench by the Board of Trustees in 2008, and elected in 2009, Tanya Hobson-Williams was the first African-American Female Justice in the Incorporated Village of Hempstead. Tanya Hobson–Williams obtained her B.A. in Government and Politics from St. John's University and her law degree from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. Tanya Hobson-Williams has an active elder law practice assisting senior citizens in obtaining Medicaid for Home Care and Nursing Home Care. She routinely lectures at senior citizen centers, assisted living facilities, law schools and counsels families on a variety of topics of concerns to families caring for the elderly.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.

Testimonials

“I want to take this time to thank Tanya and Keith for their professionalism and their ability to keep me calm during this process. Tanya was very helpful in explaining the whole guardianship process and my next steps. Despite my numerous emails, I never felt ignored or that they were growing weary of me. Even after being granted guardianship when I had an issue with the bank releasing money Tanya stayed calm and found a way to get what I was entitled to. I hope I never need to do this again but if I do, I will definitely come back to Tanya and her team. Thank you Thank you Thank you. Love from Bermuda.”

-K. Durham.
(An attorney in Bermuda transferring a Bermudian guardianship to NY)

Read More »

  • Elder Law Attorney Serving Queens Bronx Brooklyn

    Elder Law

    Elder Law encompasses a broad range of legal matters. It is important for everyone, regardless of age or health, to plan for the future.

  • Guardianships Attorney Serving Queens Bronx Brooklyn

    Guardianships

    The legal system recognizes that some adults, whether due to disease, dementia, mental deterioration, or disability, are unable...

  • Medicaid / Medicare Fraud Attorney Serving Queens Bronx Brooklyn

    Medicaid / Medicare Fraud

    Medicaid is a joint state and Federal program that provides insurance to individuals based upon their income and resources, while Medicare...

  • Reverse-Mortgage Foreclosures Attorney Serving Queens Bronx Brooklyn

    Reverse-Mortgage Foreclosures

    Reverse mortgages are becoming an increasingly popular way for aging homeowners to refinance...

  • Landlord-Tenant Attorney Serving Queens Bronx Brooklyn

    Landlord-Tenant

    Landlord Tenant law can be a complex and confusing subject. Disputes over leases and rent payments are often emotionally...

  • Business Law Attorney Serving Queens Bronx Brooklyn

    Business Law

    From the initial startup of your business to any issues you may encounter along the way, you can rely on Hobson-Williams, P.C. for effective...

  • Collections Attorney Serving Queens Bronx Brooklyn

    Collections

    Hobson-Williams, P.C. has a full-service debt collections department, with experienced debt-collection attorneys who will...

  • Real Estate Transactions Attorney Serving Queens Bronx Brooklyn

    Real Estate Transactions

    Many people question why they need an attorney to purchase or sell a home.

Litigator of the Year
Women-Owned Law Firm
Long Island's 50 Top Women
Minority-Owned Law Firm
Brooklyn Bar Association
Queens County Bar Association
New York State Bar Association
Lawyers of Distinction
Outstanding Women in Law

24 hour service
Call Toll-Free:
24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week

Phone: 1-866-825-1LAW
Phone: 1-866-825-1529

Queens Office:

  • 87-01 Midland Parkway, Lobby A
    Jamaica Estates, New York 11432
  • Phone: 718-210-4744
  • Fax: 718-928-2210

Brooklyn Office:

  • By Appointment Only
  • Phone: 718-210-4744
  • Fax: 718-928-2210
Skip to content