The expiration of the federal ban on evictions, which was set up to help renters left cash strapped by the pandemic, may force delinquent tenants to apply for available help, an association that represents apartment owners in Dallas said.
“The Texas rent relief programs and the programs administered by the cities and counties across the state have been some of the most successful programs in getting funds out to the owners. Despite a slow start we are starting to see those funds come in,” said Ian Mattingly, president of the Apartment Association of Greater Dallas.
The federal ban on evictions was allowed to expire this last weekend, although the Supreme Court of Texas extended its eviction diversion program until October. The program allows renters affected by the pandemic and landlords to apply for federal relief money that will pay for back rent.
It's the renters who do not seek help that is giving the property owners fits, says Mattingly.
“The impact of the eviction moratorium for a substantial portion of our ownership and our membership may be something that they never comeback from. Roughly 15 to 20 percent of our members have been forced to sell,” Mattingly said. “Mom and pop, folks who have retired and put their retirement savings into these investment properties they’ve had to go without pay in many cases for over a year. That’s absolutely devastating, as you can imagine, for these owners.”
Mattingly says there is no way to break down which renters are victims of the pandemic and which have fallen behind due to unrelated reasons.
Related
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow NewsRadio 1080 KRLD