May 8, 2020
Tanya Hobson-Williams, attorney at law at Hobson-Williams, P.C., says New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo’s announcement allowing the moratorium on evictions to be extended another 60 days will give tenants the additional protection they need and alleviates any worries of having to live elsewhere if they could no longer afford to pay the rent.
The moratorium was supposed to end on June 20, 2020 but, on May 7, 2020, Governor Cuomo announced that it will be extended until August 20, 2020. This means that apartment renters will not be thrown out or assessed late fees for nonpayment of rent during the moratorium. In addition, renters who fall behind on their payments may use the money from their security deposits, which can be repaid over time. The purpose of the extension is to give tenants more time to stay in their apartments during the coronavirus pandemic without worrying about making rent payments.
“While we are hopeful that landlords will also be provided relief from mortgage and other payments related to their properties, I applaud Governor Cuomo for allowing residents living in their apartments to stay for an additional amount of time,” Ms. Hobson-Williams says. “Many renters no longer have the money to pay the rent and, further, they do not know if and when they will be able to go back to work. This extension provides the relief the tenants need.”
Many landlords may try to force out tenants for nonpayment during this time, but Ms. Hobson-Williams says that should not be allowed to happen. “If your rights as a tenant are being violated by an unscrupulous landlord, please contact a landlord-tenant attorney immediately,” she says.
