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Nevada's Moratorium On Evictions For Late Rent Payments

A man speaks at a podium.
Rachel Aston
/
Las Vegas Review-Journal
Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak announcing a statewide moratorium on evictions for late rent at a press conference on March 29, 2020.

During an online press conference Sunday afternoon, Governor Steve Sisolak announced a statewide residential and commercial eviction moratorium. 

 

 
Most rents are due on the first of the month, and with nearly 100,000 unemployment claims filed this month in Nevada alone, Governor Steve Sisolak is imposing a statewide moratorium on residential and commercial evictions for late rent or mortgage payments.

“This is not the time to put people out on the streets. This is also not the time to evict small business owners who have been hit by the economic fallout of this pandemic,” Sisolak said. “First off, to do this, we’re prohibiting lockouts, notices to quit or pay, or eviction filings for as long as we’re in a state of emergency.”

The governor acknowledged that landlords have bills, too, and that this directive does not exonerate renters from payment.

 

“You must still adhere to the terms of your contract with your landlord, property manager or lender,” Sisolak noted, “and are encouraged to work with them to determine an appropriate resolution regarding any outstanding payments.”

Nevada State Treasurer Zack Conine said his office has been communicating with the Nevada Bankers Association, the Credit Union League and the Mortgage Lenders Association. Connine said these groups have made 3 major commitments to borrowers to include no late fees, no evictions, and mortgage forbearance.

“Most lenders are now offering homeowners facing financial hardships, due to COVID-19, a 90-day grace period, allowing Nevadans to delay their mortgage payments until they get back on their feet,” Conine explained. “That means that if you have fallen ill, been laid off, or had your hours reduced, you can stay in your home if you reach out to your lender for assistance.”

Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford said his office has been inundated with calls from renters desperate for protection from bullying and evictions. Ford said the eviction moratorium is a balance between the needs of renters and landlords.

“I understand that this will be a strain on property owners and businesses who must also pay bills. That’s why this temporary cessation and evictions and foreclosures [directive] is a balance between the need to keep Nevada families in their homes and businesses in their building and our recognition of the rights and needs of property owners,” Ford said.

Ford also emphasized that this directive does not mean tenants do not have to pay rent, and he noted that landlord bullying or intimidation would be met with action from his office.

 

Read more on this topic from the Sierra Nevada Ally here.

 

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