Gov. Cooper issues 3-week moratorium on evictions, extends ban on utility shut-offs
Gov. Roy Cooper has issued a three-week, statewide moratorium on evictions effective Saturday, his office said.
The executive order also extends the prohibition of utility shut-offs for another 60 days. It’s meant to relieve residential tenants and businesses who lost income and struggle to make rent during the COVID-19 pandemic and to reduce the risk of homelessness, Cooper said.
“North Carolinians need relief to help make ends meet during the pandemic,” Cooper said in a statement Saturday. “Extending housing and utility protections will mean more people can stay in their homes and stay safe as we all work to slow the spread of this virus.”
New eviction hearings had been paused since mid-March as part of a larger curtailing of court activity during the coronavirus pandemic.
Some court activity is scheduled to resume Monday. But Mecklenburg District Court Judge Elizabeth Trosch told the Observer that a plan to reopen the courts in North Carolina would prioritize cases by urgency and severity, and that eviction hearings likely wouldn’t begin until July.
Landlords have been allowed to file for eviction since March 15, but new hearings were paused. As of Friday, Mecklenburg Court officials told the Observer there have been more than 1,000 new filings for summary ejectment, which starts eviction proceedings in court, since March 16.
Cooper’s new order now also prohibits new filings or other eviction proceedings against a tenant for nonpayment or late payment of rent, and offers more sweeping tenant protections, including:
- Prevents landlords from assessing late fees or other penalties for late or nonpayment.
- Prevents the accumulation of additional interest, fees or other penalties for existing late fees while the order is in effect.
- Requires landlords to give tenants at least six months after the order ends to pay outstanding rent.
- Requires leases to be modified to disallow evicting tenants for reason of late or nonpayments.
The governor’s office said although the order extends the time period for people to pay, they “are still ultimately responsible for making their rent and utility payments. “ The order applies to residential and commercial landlords. Evictions for reasons related to health and safety still can take place, officials said.
This work was made possible in part by grant funding from Report for America/GroundTruth Project and the Foundation For The Carolinas.
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