What should I do when the eviction ban is over? 

The eviction ban or federal moratorium has ended, but has all support wrapped up, too? Not necessarily. If you’ve heard that there are still billions of dollars available to renters for unpaid rent but are unsure how to access it, you’re not alone. It’s proven tricky for millions of renters to find this money, qualify and get it. Here’s a short reference summarizing tips and resources if you are at risk of eviction. 

How long do I have before I will be evicted? 

If you are behind on your rent, and your city doesn’t have any other Covid-19 protections in place then you’ll likely see an eviction notice any day — especially if you have been subject to an eviction proceeding that was paused or has been at odds with your landlord. 

Wait, wasn’t rent canceled with the pandemic?  

Nope. You probably saw quite a few signs, posts, and graffiti promoting the cancelation of rent but that proposal was never realized. The federal government just prevented or extended the eviction ban.  

This means you still owe back rent. With the moratorium expiration, your landlord now has the right to begin the collection process and collect on past due rent in most states. 

What states still have Covid-19 protections in place?

Only a few states still have protections in place, and those protections are limited.

For a more complete list, please see Roost’s Covid-19 eviction moratorium status by state.  

What do I do once I get the eviction notice? 

First off, approach this head-on. It’s not going to be easy, but the sooner you get in front of it, the faster you’ll get through it. 

1. Try talking with your landlord to work out a payment plan or if you are close to getting federal aid, show the steps you’ve taken and your progress so far. 
2. Contact legal services corp for help. Visit Lsc.gov or call 211 to find local community services that help with housing. 
3. Come up with your backup plan. Start looking for another place to live.

How do I work with my landlord to catch up on past-due rent? 

Chances are you’ve already been in communication with your landlord about past due rent. If not, with the eviction ban ending, you’ll want to start right away.

Many owners are willing to work with residents who are making payments or waiting on aid. Most important, communicate to show good faith and follow through. 

What federal aid is available to me to pay rent?

• Check out the National Low Income Housing Coalition list for over 400 organizations handing out assistance. In some cases, your landlord is paid directly, in other cases, you are required to agree to a payment plan. To be eligible, you must be able to attest that you have lost income due to the pandemic and would be at risk of homelessness if you are evicted.
• Try contacting Housing and Urban Development (HUD). At hud.gov click on the link for “Rental Assistance.” You will see a link to contact a housing counseling agency or call toll-free 800-569-4287.

Though the eviction moratorium initially implemented during COVID has ended, help has not. As states and counties figure out their systems in the coming weeks, it’s likely even more rental help will arrive. In the meantime, make sure you’re exploring your options, communicating with your landlord, and coming up with a backup plan.