NY Eviction Moratorium Ends: Here's What To Know

NEW YORK CITY — A nearly two-year-old eviction moratorium in New York will ended Saturday.

The ban's end could lead to thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of evictions in the coming weeks and months, advocates fear.

"The reality is that too many homeowners and renters remain dangerously close to losing their homes nearly two years since the COVID-19 pandemic first upended New York and its residents," said Christie Peale, CEO and Executive Director of the Center for NYC Neighborhoods, in a statement. "The moratorium has been a critical source of stability for New Yorkers facing foreclosure or eviction, especially for Black and Brown and lower- to middle-income families who have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. We hope that New York will extend the moratorium, so we can ensure a more equitable recovery for all New Yorkers."

Mayor Eric Adams on Thursday promised the city will "protect" New Yorkers at risk of losing their homes.

The protections afforded New York City tenants are few, but potentially powerful. Here's what they need to know.

What's happening Saturday?

A moratorium on evictions for renters hit hard by the COVID-19 is set to expire, unless Gov. Kathy Hochul authorizes an extension.

Hochul has given little sign she'll push to extend the ban — instead, she's been pressing federal officials to free up additional rent relief funds.

The deadline has been extended several times, so there's a chance Hochul will give a last-minute reprieve. But, as of Friday afternoon, that hasn't happened and advocates have largely shifted toward directing tenants toward resources.

How many tenants could this affect?

Roughly 200,000 eviction cases are pending in housing courts, THE CITY reported, but it's unclear how many of those fall under protected COVID-19 hardships.

What can tenants do?

Call 311.

No, that's not a joke — 311 is often the first step toward getting connected with valuable resources for tenants.

Renters in need of guidance or services can ask for the tenant helpline on 311, Adams said.

Those who need legal representation should ask for "right to counsel" and get a lawyer who will work on their case for free.

"Right to counsel"? What does that mean?

Under city law, all renters regardless of immigration status can receive free legal counsel in their eviction cases.

A lawyer can help tenants navigate the legal system, arrange payment or rental agreements with landlords and give crucial advice on protections.

What protections?

Above all else, the chief protection afforded New York City renters is that lockouts are illegal.

"We want to send a loud and clear message: lockouts are illegal," Adams said. "You cannot lock people out of their homes, and illegal eviction is a crime often overlooked. And we want to make sure that people are aware of that."

Adams said tenants who are locked out of their homes should call 911 or 311.

Anything else?

Apply for emergency rent relief through the state's OTDA web portal.

The rent relief fund itself doesn't have enough money to distribute to all applicants — that's part of Hochul's call to the federal government — but an application will provide temporary protection from eviction.