Floridians Get Another Extension On Evictions, Foreclosures

BRADENTON, FL — Hours before thousands of Floridians faced the possibility of losing their homes and apartments, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an executive order Tuesday extending his suspension of all foreclosures and residential evictions.

The governor's previous extension order, which was to expire at 12:01 a.m. on July 1, will now be extended to 12:01 a.m. Aug. 1, according to a new order signed Tuesday night. The initial order was issued in April.

The change gives struggling Floridians an extra month if they are unable to pay their mortgages or rent before their landlords or lenders can take action. The extension does not relieve their obligation to pay. See FL Governor Suspends Foreclosures, Evictions Over Coronavirus

"I think there’s 2,600-plus evictions just sitting in courts right now — just waiting to get writs of possession," Miami attorney David Winker told Patch. "That’s a lot of people on the street."

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Winker, who represents both landlords and tenants, said he appreciates the frustration on the part of landlords who have endured months of lost rent amid the coronavirus outbreak in the state.

But, many of the people who would leave their homes have nowhere else to go.

"This isn’t just they get evicted and rent a new apartment," he said. "It’s logistically hard to get a new apartment even if you have the money. These people really don’t have the money."

While the governor's order doesn't remove the obligation to pay, it does give Floridians additional time to reach agreement with their landlord or lender, particularly as people start to go back to work.

The governor's executive order assures no further action will take place on any mortgage foreclosures around the state, including those covered by a nationwide moratorium.

In addition to freezing foreclosure actions, the Florida measure also blocks the evictions of Florida renters for nonpayment of rent in the case of residential renters who have been harmed by the new coronavirus outbreak.

Winker said the language in the Florida governor's order offers protections to people who lost their jobs as a result of the outbreak, but not directly to the small business owners who rent their premises.

The governor's initial order noted the coronavirus health emergency has "impacted the ability of many Floridians" to make timely mortgage and rent payments. A number of Floridians found themselves in difficult positions as April, May, June and now July rent and mortgage obligations come due.