NY Evictions Banned Until May 1 Under New Law

NEW YORK CITY — Evictions will be banned until May 1 under a new bill lawmakers passed and Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he’ll signed

The bill — the COVID-19 Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Act — was passed 40-21 during a special New York State Senate session on Monday.

It gives tenants and homeowners at least 60 days to show the coronavirus pandemic caused them hardship. Once they do, any eviction proceedings will be halted until May 1.

“By enacting this comprehensive residential eviction and foreclosure moratorium, we are delivering real protection for countless renters and homeowners who would otherwise be at risk of losing their homes, adding to the unprecedented hardship that so many are facing,” state Senator Brian Kavanagh, who represents part of Manhattan and sponsored the bill, said in a statement.

Residential evictions in New York have effectively been banned since the pandemic began. But critics charged that moratorium — which has been extended in a rolling fashion by Gov. Andrew Cuomo — left too much uncertainty for renters.

Indeed, eviction filings began to trickle into courts.

The new bill creates a standardized form for tenants to declare hardship that prevents them from paying rent or to move, as well as if someone in their household faces increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

Eviction proceedings, whether new or existing, will be halted until May.

The bill also provides protections against foreclosure and tax lien sales for residential property owners who own 10 or fewer dwelling units.

About 4,700 low-income homes recently were on the New York City’s tax lien sale before Cuomo and state officials scuttled it.

Cuomo said the bill also ensures that homeowners’ credit rating won’t be affected by pandemic-related hardships.