New York Eviction Moratorium Extended Into 2022: Governor

NEW YORK, NY — An eviction moratorium for New Yorkers facing financial hardship because of the COVID-19 pandemic has been extended into early 2022, though new changes will make it easier for landlords to push back on the filings.

Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the residential and commercial eviction moratorium on Thursday, the morning after lawmakers passed the emergency bill given the previous moratorium's expiration date this week, she announced in a press release.

The new moratorium will be in place until January 15, 2022.

"The pandemic has created unimaginable anxiety for families and business owners who have lost income and are struggling to pay the rent every month," Governor Hochul said. "...These steps will alleviate the crisis facing vulnerable New Yorkers who are suffering through no fault of their own."

The new moratorium includes changes prompted by U.S. Supreme Court rulings that nullified the previous pause on evictions shortly before its expiration. Justices found in New York's case, which was brought on by property owners, that rules barring landlords from challenging a tenant's claim of economic hardship might violate their due process rights, according to reports.

Under the new moratorium, tenants will still be able to prevent eviction by filing a form about their loss of income or potential health risks, but landlords will now be able to ask for a court hearing to review the claims, according to officials.

The law also includes $25 million in state funding for legal services for tenants facing eviction and creates a $250 million "Supplemental Emergency Rental Assistance program" for certain households and landlord support.

Tenants can still be evicted if they are creating safety or health hazards for other tenants, intentionally damaging property or did not submit a hardship declaration under the law, officials said.

On the commercial side, foreclosures and evictions will be paused for small businesses with 100 or fewer employees that demonstrate financial hardship.