Buffalo, NY (WBEN) There will be more help for landlords as part of the extended eviction moratorium approved by New York State lawmakers in a special session Wednesday, but a group representing them says they are still extremely frustrated.
Additionally, a group helping tenants says the extension will help reduce the risk of COVID spread.
Lisa Damiani of the WNY Property Owners Coalition says there is some additional money for landlords where the tenant is non-responsive or has left the property. "We're happy to see that," says Damiani. "There also gives more clarity to the ability for a landlord to take action against a tenant who is destroying property."
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Damiani says she also appreciates some due process when tenants claim hardship. "We think there's benefit to being in front of the court and be able to adjudicate some of these issues. Sometimes, they just need a nudge and a court can help negotiate and help point them to where they can get help," says Damiani.
But Damiani says landlords she's spoken to are still "extremely frustrated." The landlords are the last group to get any relief. At every point, it's been wait until the feds get more money, wait until a new budget is passed," says Damiani. She adds some landlords have never been in this situation after years in the industry, and there are now people willing to walk away.
Grace Andriette with Neighborhood Legal Services says the moratorium would provide a way for tenants to stay in their residences while applying for emergency rental assistance. "When tenants are able to obtain financial assistance, landlords get paid and tenants get to stay. In the middle of a pandemic this is important," says Andriette, who notes her office is inundated with calls.
Andriette says this will be vital in reducing the risk of spreading COVID19. "When people are evicted, they tend to go to homeless shelters, that's congregate living. That increases the likelihood of people getting COVID," says Andriette. "People who couch surf are at a much higher risk of contracting and spreading COVID." Andriette says with an uptick of COVID cases, the extension of the moratorium will have an impact on the number of COVID cases statewide and nationwide.
The state's previous moratorium expired Tuesday.