Rental Housing Industry Response to COVID-19 & Court Restrictions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Rental Housing Industry Response to COVID-19 & Court Restrictions

North Carolina, March 18, 2020 – In a memo released this past weekend, North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Beasley expanded a list of new restrictions on courthouse activity that will include eviction hearings.  The new restrictions, which apply to all of the state’s one hundred counties for the next thirty days, come in response to the rapid spread of COVID-19 across the state and are meant to both combat the spread of the virus, as well as to provide respite for low-income renters and those facing evictions during the crisis.

While the multifamily housing industry understands the need for the unprecedented steps outlined by Chief Justice Beasley, it is critical that policymakers and members of the public understand the ripple effects that these measures will have across the industry.  Housing providers who are unable to collect rent payments during this crisis will still be responsible for covering their own obligations, including, but not limited to, maintenance, mortgage payments, utilities, insurance, payroll, and property tax.  As a result of these hardships, many providers may be forced to layoff or furlough workers, or may even be at risk of closing their businesses. 

In order to avoid this worst-case outcome, the Triangle Apartment Association (TAA) is working with policymakers to ensure they understand the needs of housing providers and can craft legislation that both protects the health and well-being of renters, as well as providing necessary support to housing providers. 

Specifically, we are asking that the current eviction moratorium be paired with emergency rental assistance to ensure our residents are still able to pay their rent.  Further, we are asking for assistance for housing providers, especially smaller “mom and pop” operations, who may be unable to cover their mortgage utility, or tax payments as a result of financial losses during the crisis.  Finally, we would like clarification that while rent payments may be delayed during the crisis, they are not waived.  These steps will help to ensure that our industry can continue to provide necessary housing both during and after this crisis.

For more information, contact:

Dustin Engelken | Government Affairs Director, Triangle Apartment Association
703-475-8504 | dengelken@triangleaptassn.org

About the Triangle Apartment Association:

Founded in 1984, the Triangle Apartment Association is a non-profit trade association serving the multifamily rental housing industry. Our members are comprised of individuals and companies who develop, own, manage, and provide goods and services to the apartment industry in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area. The Triangle Apartment Association's mission is to be the leading resource committed to the advancement of the rental housing industry through advocacy, engagement, and innovation.