A federal order to halt eviction proceedings was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court on Aug. 26, allowing landlords to pursue eviction for non-paying tenants in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Biden Administration put an eviction moratorium into place earlier in August. It was set to expire on Oct. 3, but a challenge brought to the Supreme Court ended it much sooner than planned.
Officials in the White House and at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say the moratorium was intended to stop the spread of COVID-19 because those who are forced to move, live in shelters or on the streets are at risk of catching and spreading the disease.
While the Supreme Court’s decision means that landlords in Massachusetts can expect some relief, not all eviction filings will move forward. As an example, tenants who have applied for or has received emergency rental and/or mortgage assistance – or are involved in a related program – are protected against eviction for non-payment during the COVID-19 pandemic when the nonpayment is due to economic difficulty brought on by the pandemic.
If you are a landlord and need legal assistance with an eviction-related matter, you can reach out to Hare, Stamm, Harris & O’Connor, LLC for experienced legal counsel. Our team of attorneys have helped many people in situation such as yours and is adapting our legal strategies to meet the unique challenges posed by new challenges spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more information, contact us online or call 413-707-2753.