COVID 19 Related Income Challenges Affect Landlords in Significant Ways; States TenantScreeningUSA.com

WALTHAM, Mass., April 10, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- As COVID 19 becomes wide spread across the world more and more people are being laid off from non-essential employment and that loss in income has the potential to create challenges in the rental housing market. Adam Almeida, President and CEO of TenantScreeningUSA.com states: "As income becomes a challenge, the prospect of eviction could become viable yet landlords and property managers should take pause and work with a third-party tenant screening agency in order to remain compliant with any recent executive orders protecting renters from COVID19 related evictions."

COVID 19 has brought the global economy to a virtual standstill and in doing such millions of people are being laid off. Even with the recent stimulus package as well as unemployment, the prospect of paying monthly rent may become daunting.

Across the country some governors have taken action to try and protect victims of the COVID 19 crisis from eviction.

In California, Governor Gavin Newsome recently decreed by executive order that local governments can protect renters.

From California Apartment Association (Mar. 25, 2020):

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has issued an executive order making it clear that local governments can impose eviction protections for tenants who are unable to pay their rent because of the coronavirus or loss of income as a result of the outbreak…According to Newsom's order, such ordinances should spell out that if a tenant cannot pay the rent because of COVID-19, that tenant's rental payment is deferred for a reasonable period but not waived. (1)

But every state may have their own policy in place regarding COVID 19 related evictions, which could cause greater confusion.

From Forbes.com (Apr. 01, 2020):

As every business, industry, and practice tries to keep pace with almost hourly changes in news about the spread of COVID-19 and the impact of the response to the epidemic has been mixed across the country and at levels of government. So called tenant advocates have even called for rent strikes, rent control, or rent holidays. The COVID-19 response is creating an income problem for residents and housing providers. Bans don't help. Getting the response right means bringing providers, residents, and lenders to the table to develop loans and forbearance to get through the next 90 days. (2)

Almeida adds: "Staying focused on getting through the near-term effects of COVID 19 is very important as everyone hopes this will not continue as a long-term threat. Working with tenants regarding income challenges should be a best practice and working with a well-qualified third-party tenant screening agency should also remain a best practice for landlords and property managers."

TenantScreeningUSA.com provides full-service tenant screening for landlords and property managers of any size and can greatly assist in remaining fully compliant with all existing law governing tenant screening. With a highly trained and experienced staff, TenantScreeningUSA.com can provide help to landlords and property managers with all their tenant screening needs.

Notes:
(1)    caanet.org/governor-issues-executive-order-on-covid-19-and-evictions/
(2)    forbes.com/sites/rogervaldez/2020/04/01/covid-19-and-eviction-uneven-actions-across-the-country/#191ffac83d05

SOURCE Tenant Screening USA