Effective Monday, April 20, 2020, there will be no evictions or foreclosures in Massachusetts, except in extraordinary situations. Governor Charlie Baker signed the eviction pause bill yesterday that will do the following:
- Prevent landlords (of both commercial and residential units) from evicting tenants or sending “notices to quit” to begin the eviction process
- Eliminate late payment fees for rent, so long as the late-paying tenant alerts to the landlord within 30 days
- Prevent landlords from reporting late or missed rent payments to consumer reporting agencies
- Give landlords the ability to use a tenant’s “last month” deposit to pay for the current month, so long as the landlord provides written notice
- Protect homeowners who miss mortgage payments from being foreclosed upon
Of course, there is an exception. Landlords can still evict tenants if they pose a health or safety risk to other residents of the building. And this bill doe not forgive or cancel rent or mortgage payments. So if you’re in a tight spot and can’t pay this month, you should remember that you will still owe the unpaid money whenever this order ends.
The order will be in place for 120 days or for 45 days after Governor Baker rescinds the emergency order, whichever is sooner.
However, if you can make current payments, you still should. Otherwise you’ll end up with quite a big payment due when things calm down.
Featured Photo via unknown author / Public domain
