The future remains unclear for individuals affected by the CDC led Covid related eviction moratorium an, additionally, the use of eviction records may be impacted. The use of eviction records could be significantly impacted in years to come, potentially by law, and a best practice remains for landlords and property managers to work with a well-qualified third-party tenant screening agency in order to remain compliant with existing law as well as ahead of potential changes to the legal use of eviction records.
As the Covid related eviction moratorium has been extended through October 3, 2021, the future legal and lawful use of eviction records may change significantly and greatly impact landlords and property managers. Millions of individuals impacted by the eviction moratorium may face further challenge in the future as liability for past-rent remains in place, and the potential of post-moratorium eviction remains a concern; and landlords and/or property managers could be impacted as well should laws change, suggesting a best practice remains to work with a well-qualified third-party tenant screening agency in order to remain legally compliant.
Once the country moves past the current eviction moratorium a new challenge may emerge for landlords and/or property managers.
Eviction records are an important tool for landlords and remain available up to seven, noting all eviction related legal actions: cases lost, case won, or cases dismissed. Once the moratorium on evictions ends, the management of Covid related evictions could change.
From TheHill.com on August 15, 2021:
Many of the estimated 7.9 million U.S. tenants behind on rent breathed a sigh of relief on Aug. 3, when the CDC imposed a new 60-day eviction moratorium. Even with the extended order, millions of tenants will have COVID-related eviction records. Available data from Eviction Lab show that landlords filed over 468,000 eviction cases during the pandemic in the six states and 31 cities where Eviction Lab is able to track. The actual number is undoubtedly many times more than those recorded. thehill.com/opinion/healthcare/567883-eviction-records-long-term-impacts-of-the-covid-19-housing-crisis
Challenges remain with the distribution of rent relief funds from the federal government furthering concern for individuals behind on rent and expecting help.
From NPR.com on August 26, 2021:
Congress has approved nearly $50 billion to help people pay back rent and avoid eviction. But while in some states and counties that’s been working well, in many others the help hasn’t reached the vast majority of renters who need it.
By one estimate, 15 states still haven’t managed to get even 5% of those federal dollars out the door to renters facing eviction. npr.org/2021/08/26/1024668578/court-blocks-biden-cdc-evictions-moratorium
Post Covid could be more challenging for landlords due to the potential of new laws governing the use of eviction records, especially Covid related laws. A best practice, now and into the future, for landlords and property managers is to work with a well-qualified third-party tenant screening agency.