Coronavirus: MA Imposes Moratorium On Evictions And Foreclosures

BOSTON — With the economic effects of the coronavirus outbreak reverberating across Massachusetts, the state took action to prevent residents from losing their homes. Gov. Charlie Baker signed a bill Monday placing a pause on evictions and foreclosures, until the end of the coronavirus state of emergency.

The bill not only bars evictions but prohibits landlords from terminating residential leases or asking tenants to leave. The bill only allows evictions due to criminal activity and lease violations that raise health and safety concerns.

Small businesses are also protected from evictions.

If tenants show within 30 days of the due date that they've lost income due to coronavirus, landlords are also barred from imposing late fees for non-payment and from reporting payment data to credit reporting agencies.

In addition to pausing foreclosures, the bill also requires mortgage lenders to pause or lower payments to homeowners who have lost income due to the virus.

"Yesterday I signed legislation pausing evictions and foreclosures, to provide additional relief and protections for homeowners and renters during this time when many residents are facing economic hardship," Baker said Tuesday. "We thank our legislative colleagues for their careful work on this bill."

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